Feels like I just lost my best friend...

Chip812 · Mar 9, 2014

Seems my little Massey 35 has spun a bearing and the thrust washer has worn a divot in the engine block... The guy I got to work on it said it would need a "new" engine... And parts/labor were going to be about $5000... I can't see putting that much MORE money into a 50 year old tractor. So it's off to be breaking yard... for my tractor and my heart...

rrlund · Mar 9, 2014

Let's not do anything rash. Can't you find another one in rough shape with bad tires or something and do a transplant? I'll bet you'll find one the day after you get rid of yours.

RBnSC · Mar 9, 2014

Yes what He said. at the very least buy another tractor just like it and use the one you have for parts.
Ron

samn40 · Mar 9, 2014

I think you need to see another machine shop! I have seen even the
Perkins engine spin the thrust washer and damage the block. A bit
of machining and either a shim or an oversized thrust washer cured
the problem and the cost was quite low. I use a machine shop that
will work on anything, not just specialing on engines. Last one cost
me 8 hours time and an off the shelf engine rebuild kit. Don't be
too hasty with this one......I would be going to the wreckers yard
alright but it would be for a second-hand engine block........
Your tractor, your call!...............Sam

onefarmer · Mar 9, 2014

I'd call Worthington or whoever is fairly local for you and see about a whole used engine. Someone would have on somewhere.
Worthington

george md · Mar 9, 2014

Chip,

I agree with sam, you need to find a machine
shop and not a parts replacer. Either machine
the block for a thicker thrust or build it back
up and remachine to size. I have done them.
I just did a shibaru (spelling ?) ,something
that ford compact tractors and new holland
skid loaders use, ran low on oil,has no cam
bearing ,cam grabbed the block and they swapped
material. Line bored the cam bore and made
cam bearing for it ,also ground the cam journal to clean it.

george

Geo-TH,In · Mar 9, 2014

I helped a guy with a massey 50 he bought from a friend who had the motor rebuilt. The guy forgot to put antifreeze in engine. The engine cracked internally.

Long story short, this guy has all new parts, head worked over, new pistons, new everything.

He found a place in S Indiana that sold him a running engine for $500, so he changed engines. The guy was going to give him $100 for the cracked engine. The guy thought about it and decided not to spend $50 in gas to return the bad engine for $100.

Where do you live? If you want, I could get a phone number and you can call to see if he has another used engine.

Greenday · Mar 9, 2014

Get a second opinion somewhere! That price sound a little excesive.

Duner Wi · Mar 9, 2014

Are you talking about the crankshaft center main thrust or # 1 front crank thrust as used in
Z120-Z129 engines. Z134 had center thrust and no washers as far as I know.
Which bearing spun? I would not give up so quick.
You might need a mechanic that knows continentals better.

Chip812 · Mar 9, 2014

It's the rear bearing and thrust bearing/washer (not really sure which he said)... He's going to call around and see if there are any working engines around, but I doubt it... These tractors have been going to the scrap yards for years and there are very few around... Additionally, my wife says I'm already into this one for about 6k and she refuses to spend another $1000 on it. So I guess I'm screwed... I'll have to severely curtail my mowing since I'm reduced to a push mower.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 9, 2014

worleys in Indiana ,,,pleasantville ky near Shelbyville ky has motors ,,relax and find another motor

Steve@Advance · Mar 9, 2014

Chip, I feel your pain. But don't give up, get a
plan!

Find yourself a used manual off Ebay, clear out
the garage and start putting a running tractor
together before mowing season. At least tell your
self that's what's gonna happen!

These are simple machines, designed to be field
serviced with basic tools. Lots of used , rebuilt,
and aftermarket parts out there, just got to be a
good scavenger.

As you can see, you're already getting good
support on your first post, hang in there and this
can be easier than you think.

Geo-TH,In · Mar 9, 2014

Take your wife shopping for a new replacement tractor. She may change her mind when she finds out what it's going to cost to replace yours.

I have $6k in my old Jubilee. Old tractors become a money pit. Can't sell it for $6k. Can't replace it for $12k. Get my point.

Look at it from the bright side, you have a boss. Mind passed one year and one day before 9-11

dej(Jed) · Mar 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 14:23:45 03/09/14) Seems my little Massey 35 has spun a bearing and the thrust washer has worn a divot in the engine block... The guy I got to work on it said it would need a "new" engine... And parts/labor were going to be about $5000... I can't see putting that much MORE money into a 50 year old tractor. So it's off to be breaking yard... for my tractor and my heart...

heck --You can buy a whole tractor for that much money. $5000 should get you a real nice Massey 35.

Chip812 · Mar 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 21:13:32 03/09/14) ...Look at it from the bright side, you have a boss. Mind passed one year and one day before 9-11

I'm so sorry for your loss...

Yes, I have a "boss"... She keeps up with all the financial stuff... The problem is, I cannot justify a tractor... We have a 1000 foot gravel driveway that I would back-blade twice a year and about 40-50 acres that I bush-hogged... But none of that was "required"... I just liked doing it... It did keep the snakes down (how do I "prove" that?) since we didn't see one within 100 yards of the house (house sits almost dead center of 250 acres (I only own 5.5 acres - In-laws own the rest) of field/woods and I kept the driveway smooth and pot hole filled in (again, how do I prove that?)... There is a small pothole starting up, but we can just drive around it...

All that to say, I don't really have a "boss"... I have a "partner"... and I'm loathe to do anything to force the issue of me "needing" a tractor... even if I do....

oldtanker · Mar 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 08:41:38 03/10/14)

(quoted from post at 21:13:32 03/09/14) ...Look at it from the bright side, you have a boss. Mind passed one year and one day before 9-11

Click to expand...

I'm so sorry for your loss...

Yes, I have a "boss"... She keeps up with all the financial stuff... The problem is, I cannot justify a tractor... We have a 1000 foot gravel driveway that I would back-blade twice a year and about 40-50 acres that I bush-hogged... But none of that was "required"... I just liked doing it... It did keep the snakes down (how do I "prove" that?) since we didn't see one within 100 yards of the house (house sits almost dead center of 250 acres (I only own 5.5 acres - In-laws own the rest) of field/woods and I kept the driveway smooth and pot hole filled in (again, how do I prove that?)... There is a small pothole starting up, but we can just drive around it...

All that to say, I don't really have a "boss"... I have a "partner"... and I'm loathe to do anything to force the issue of me "needing" a tractor... even if I do....

Just tell her she's lucky that your mistress has 4 tires and a bad engine. Explain that this mistress is far cheaper than the other kind! Don't forget to duck! Results may vary!

My wife for years claimed that my tanks were my mistress, now she says it's my tractors. She's against me getting another mistress right now.

Rick

Jeremy in DE · Mar 10, 2014

You can tell many here think it could be fixed somewhat cheaper than the quote. But of course, only you know your own financial situation and what you can afford. I fully respect that.

Perhaps an idea to keep your heart from breaking so much? Let it sit for a bit while you get the word out locally for a young man looking for a project. Maybe someone with connections to a machine shop, maybe someone with a good engine but shot back end, maybe....

Maybe someone new can fall in love with the tractor, and you'll sleep peacefully knowing she's still working.

It's at least worth a try.

What's your approximate location?

Geo-TH,In · Mar 10, 2014

My Boss knew that if I bought something I would use. Never really had to convince her of anything, especially when it came to buying tools and buying things for the business.
Now, I've been buying whatever I want. Just running out of things I want.

Chip812 · Mar 11, 2014

(quoted from post at 11:43:10 03/10/14) You can tell many here think it could be fixed somewhat cheaper than the quote. But of course, only you know your own financial situation and what you can afford. I fully respect that.

Perhaps an idea to keep your heart from breaking so much? Let it sit for a bit while you get the word out locally for a young man looking for a project. Maybe someone with connections to a machine shop, maybe someone with a good engine but shot back end, maybe....

Maybe someone new can fall in love with the tractor, and you'll sleep peacefully knowing she's still working.

It's at least worth a try.

What's your approximate location?

Maybe... I don't see how I'll profit from it though... I'm 6k into it already and the wife won't budge on putting much more than $500 into it now. And it doesn't really make any sense to have an 11k, 52 year old tractor. Bottom line: if it doesn't go to the breaking yard (or scrap yard), I'll have to gift it to someone in order for them to afford to fix it... I haven't done anything FINAL/DRASTIC yet, still exploring my options... Still hoping for a miracle and I can save it... at least for a little longer...

P.S. I'm located near Montgomery, AL...

Jeremy in DE · Mar 11, 2014

Maybe... I don't see how I'll profit from it though... I'm 6k into it already and the wife won't budge on putting much more than $500 into it now. And it doesn't really make any sense to have an 11k, 52 year old tractor. Bottom line: if it doesn't go to the breaking yard (or scrap yard), I'll have to gift it to someone in order for them to afford to fix it... I haven't done anything FINAL/DRASTIC yet, still exploring my options... Still hoping for a miracle and I can save it... at least for a little longer...

P.S. I'm located near Montgomery, AL...

Perhaps I mis-wrote. I agree it would need to be a gift, although someone might be willing to pay scrap value for it. My thought was not the idea of making money but of saving the tractor, which you described as like a friend. (I have a TO30 myself, so I can understand the feelings.)

Montgomery is too far from me to be much help making a connection. Perhaps someone else will know someone local to you.

oldtanker · Mar 11, 2014

(quoted from post at 09:17:24 03/11/14)

(quoted from post at 11:43:10 03/10/14) You can tell many here think it could be fixed somewhat cheaper than the quote. But of course, only you know your own financial situation and what you can afford. I fully respect that.

Perhaps an idea to keep your heart from breaking so much? Let it sit for a bit while you get the word out locally for a young man looking for a project. Maybe someone with connections to a machine shop, maybe someone with a good engine but shot back end, maybe....

Maybe someone new can fall in love with the tractor, and you'll sleep peacefully knowing she's still working.

It's at least worth a try.

What's your approximate location?

Click to expand...

Maybe... I don't see how I'll profit from it though... I'm 6k into it already and the wife won't budge on putting much more than $500 into it now. And it doesn't really make any sense to have an 11k, 52 year old tractor. Bottom line: if it doesn't go to the breaking yard (or scrap yard), I'll have to gift it to someone in order for them to afford to fix it... I haven't done anything FINAL/DRASTIC yet, still exploring my options... Still hoping for a miracle and I can save it... at least for a little longer...

P.S. I'm located near Montgomery, AL...

Well aside from the engine you know what the rest of the tractor is like. If it needs an engine plus a lot of other stuff you may be better off getting rid of it. This is something you would have to decide, we can't do it for you. If you do decide to dump it I would suggest that you list it on CL for a couple of hundred over what you can get for it as scrap value.

Rick

Chip812 · Mar 12, 2014

That's the trouble... I DON'T want to get rid of it... I want to fix it and keep it until I'm too old to climb back on it... The wife (a.k.a. The Accounting Department) doesn't want to spend the money on it. I've showed her that to replace it would cost about 10k. She doesn't want to replace it at all. She wants to buy a 48" P.O.S. riding mower from Homedepot for less than $1000... She won't listen to me...It ain't important enough to get divorced over (but dang near close enough)... If the stress over this gets any worse, I'm probably going to throw myself a two-year-old temper tantrum... Which she will view as childish and selfish and self-centered. And she may be right.

For now, I guess I'll just park it over to the side and throw a tarp over it to keep it from baking in the sun too bad and just start complaining about not having a tractor and see how many years it sits there... waiting...

Feels like I just lost my best friend...

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