Tips & Tricks for Repairing Your Antique / Vintage Tractor

Tips & Tricks

Check out our Blog for many more Tips, Tricks and more information.

Links

PDF files with great information, drawings or pictures for some extra help.

Ferguson Serial # / Year Reference

Suggested Oliver Paint Numbers

JDS851 & JDS854 Hood & Grille Fastener Stud Assembly

MFS145 Ferguson Tractormeter

ABC524 (Alternator)
Installation Instructions & Switch Positive to Negative Ground

IHS740 (Power Steering Valve)
Installation Instructions

JDS973 (Radiator Guard)
Assembly Instructions

JDS976 (Radiator Guard)
Assembly Instructions

Carburetor Diagrams

How to Identify your Ford Tractor

Massey Ferguson Sheet Metal
Alignment Tips

Tips

Carburetor Rebuild Tips

Make sure the carburetor kit you ordered is correct for the carburetor number you have.
Read the instructions that come with the kit then take the carburetor off the tractor and disassemble it. You may want to make notes or take pictures of how it came apart.
Be careful when taking the jets/nozzles out as they like to twist off and can be lost.
If the jets/nozzles are frozen in the body rinse the carburetor in water to remove any gas vapors then use a small torch to lightly heat up the old screws and plugs, then drip candle wax around the threads to help loosen them.
Clean the separate parts, you can use carburetor cleaner to soak it, or if it is really corroded use a sand blast cabinet to blast the rust etc. out of it, either method will work.
Next run a small piece of wire or a drill bit through all the passages to finish removing any debris that may be stuck. If these small passages are plugged the carburetor will not flow right.
Use air pressure to blow all the debris out of the passages you just cleaned. If you are planning on using the old float test it by submerging it in a container of hot water, if you do not see any bubbles after a few seconds it can be used.
Lay all the parts out that will be replaced and start reassembling the carburetor. You will need to adjust the float lever (measure the distance form the flange of the carburetor to the closest part of the float by bending the flat part of the float bracket) after installing the float you can finish assembling the carburetor. Make the initial adjustments per the instruction sheet.
Install the carburetor and check for leaks and test run it. Make the final adjustments while running.

Good Luck!

How to Install a Gear/ Shift Lever Boot

For the Shift Lever / Gear Shift Boot to keep dirt and moisture out it has to fit tight!!!

If the shift lever / gear shift boot would slip right on it would not serve the purpose.

Heat the shift boot up to make it flex, either in a pan of hot water, an electric heat gun or hair dryer.
When the boot is flexible from the heat put some sort of lubrication on the boot (white grease etc.) to make it slide easier onto the trans shifter mount.
Slide the boot down onto the lever (you may have to wiggle it on the last few inches) if it still resists sliding onto the mount take a dull screwdriver and try to work the boot around the base or reheat the boot with a hand held heater, this should make it slide the rest of the way.

John Deere flatspoke steering wheels were used 1934 thru 1938.
John Deere nine hole seat pans were first used in 1937.
Massey Harris 101 sr. used a 201 C.I. Chrysler engine from 1938 to 1940, 1940 - up used a 217 C.I. Chrysler engine.
Normally you can easily go 2" wider or narrower on tires and rims.
If your tractor starts missing or sputtering and you want to find out if it is a fuel problem or electrical, simply pull the choke out. If it trys to run better it is fuel, if it doesn't help it is electrical.
John Deere - 2 cylinder generator colors Waterloo built tractors were black until the black dash 20 series tractors. After that they were painted green unless it was an industrial then it was painted the industrial color.
John Deere - 2 cylinder muffler colors - most mufflers on waterloo built tractors prior to the 20 series were painted green, 20 series up was black. Dubuque built tractor mufflers were heat resistant silver from the M series, 40 series, 320 & 420 to serial number 135025 thereafter they were painted black.

Q&A Section
Where we post questions asked by customers that we feel may be helpful to others.

Q. What is the difference between a Voltage Regulator and a Cutout Relay?

A. regulator_or_cutout.pdf

Q. How do I know if I have a front mount or side mount distributor on my 8N Ford?
A. If the generator or alternator is on the right side of the tractor, then the tractor has a front mount distributor. If the generator or alternator is on the left hand side of the tractor, then the tractor has a side mount distributor. Note: The side of the tractor is from the point of view of the operator (sitting in the seat).

Q. What is the difference between mylar decals and vinyl cut decals?
A. Besides the material (vinyl vs. mylar) there is one other important difference. Vinyl Cut Decals (sometimes called Die Cut Decals) have no material left between the letters when the application is finished. Mylar decals have a clear film between the letters that allows your paint to show through, but you will see the outline of the material. Most customers purchase the mylar decals because of price. If you don't see a vinyl cut decal listed for your model, send us an email and we can see if we are able to special order it. If you are restoring the tractor and have put a good deal of money into the paint, you'd probably prefer to have the vinyl cut decals.

Q. How do I determine the backspacing on my rim?
A. To determine backspacing, lay the rim flat on the ground with the back of the rim facing up. Nex lay a straightedge across the rim and measure the distance from the back side of mounting surfact to the straightedge.
To determine width of rim measure on the inside (bead to bead) not outside to outside.

Q. What 3 point do I have on my 70 on down John Deere?
A. The 800 series 3-pt had a handle for the up right adjustment on the right side (standing behind tractor) the 801 series doesn't have the handle.

Product Updates

There is a misprint in the 2009 catalog page 274 - JDS998 fits the ALL FUEL and JDS996 fits the GAS ONLY. We apologize for the inconvenience.


Tips & Tricks Check out our Blog for many more Tips, Tricks and more information.
Links PDF files with great information, drawings or pictures for some extra help. Ferguson Serial # / Year Reference Suggested Oliver Paint Numbers JDS851 & JDS854 Hood & Grille Fastener Stud Assembly MFS145 Ferguson Tractormeter ABC524 (Alternator) Installation Instructions & Switch Positive to Negative Ground IHS740 (Power Steering Valve) Installation Instructions JDS973 (Radiator Guard) Assembly Instructions JDS976 (Radiator Guard) Assembly Instructions Carburetor Diagrams How to Identify your Ford Tractor Massey Ferguson Sheet Metal Alignment Tips	Tips Carburetor Rebuild Tips Make sure the carburetor kit you ordered is correct for the carburetor number you have. Read the instructions that come with the kit then take the carburetor off the tractor and disassemble it. You may want to make notes or take pictures of how it came apart. Be careful when taking the jets/nozzles out as they like to twist off and can be lost. If the jets/nozzles are frozen in the body rinse the carburetor in water to remove any gas vapors then use a small torch to lightly heat up the old screws and plugs, then drip candle wax around the threads to help loosen them. Clean the separate parts, you can use carburetor cleaner to soak it, or if it is really corroded use a sand blast cabinet to blast the rust etc. out of it, either method will work. Next run a small piece of wire or a drill bit through all the passages to finish removing any debris that may be stuck. If these small passages are plugged the carburetor will not flow right. Use air pressure to blow all the debris out of the passages you just cleaned. If you are planning on using the old float test it by submerging it in a container of hot water, if you do not see any bubbles after a few seconds it can be used. Lay all the parts out that will be replaced and start reassembling the carburetor. You will need to adjust the float lever (measure the distance form the flange of the carburetor to the closest part of the float by bending the flat part of the float bracket) after installing the float you can finish assembling the carburetor. Make the initial adjustments per the instruction sheet. Install the carburetor and check for leaks and test run it. Make the final adjustments while running. Good Luck! Jr How to Install a Gear/ Shift Lever Boot For the Shift Lever / Gear Shift Boot to keep dirt and moisture out it has to fit tight!!! If the shift lever / gear shift boot would slip right on it would not serve the purpose. Heat the shift boot up to make it flex, either in a pan of hot water, an electric heat gun or hair dryer. When the boot is flexible from the heat put some sort of lubrication on the boot (white grease etc.) to make it slide easier onto the trans shifter mount. Slide the boot down onto the lever (you may have to wiggle it on the last few inches) if it still resists sliding onto the mount take a dull screwdriver and try to work the boot around the base or reheat the boot with a hand held heater, this should make it slide the rest of the way. JR John Deere flatspoke steering wheels were used 1934 thru 1938. John Deere nine hole seat pans were first used in 1937. Massey Harris 101 sr. used a 201 C.I. Chrysler engine from 1938 to 1940, 1940 - up used a 217 C.I. Chrysler engine. Normally you can easily go 2" wider or narrower on tires and rims. If your tractor starts missing or sputtering and you want to find out if it is a fuel problem or electrical, simply pull the choke out. If it trys to run better it is fuel, if it doesn't help it is electrical. John Deere - 2 cylinder generator colors Waterloo built tractors were black until the black dash 20 series tractors. After that they were painted green unless it was an industrial then it was painted the industrial color. John Deere - 2 cylinder muffler colors - most mufflers on waterloo built tractors prior to the 20 series were painted green, 20 series up was black. Dubuque built tractor mufflers were heat resistant silver from the M series, 40 series, 320 & 420 to serial number 135025 thereafter they were painted black.	Q&A Section Where we post questions asked by customers that we feel may be helpful to others. Q. What is the difference between a Voltage Regulator and a Cutout Relay? A. regulator_or_cutout.pdf *Q. How do I know if I have a front mount or side mount distributor on my 8N Ford?* A. If the generator or alternator is on the right side of the tractor, then the tractor has a front mount distributor. If the generator or alternator is on the left hand side of the tractor, then the tractor has a side mount distributor. Note: The side of the tractor is from the point of view of the operator (sitting in the seat). *Q. What is the difference between mylar decals and vinyl cut decals?* A. Besides the material (vinyl vs. mylar) there is one other important difference. Vinyl Cut Decals (sometimes called Die Cut Decals) have no material left between the letters when the application is finished. Mylar decals have a clear film between the letters that allows your paint to show through, but you will see the outline of the material. Most customers purchase the mylar decals because of price. If you don't see a vinyl cut decal listed for your model, send us an email and we can see if we are able to special order it. If you are restoring the tractor and have put a good deal of money into the paint, you'd probably prefer to have the vinyl cut decals. *Q. How do I determine the backspacing on my rim?* A. To determine backspacing, lay the rim flat on the ground with the back of the rim facing up. Nex lay a straightedge across the rim and measure the distance from the back side of mounting surfact to the straightedge. To determine width of rim measure on the inside (bead to bead) not outside to outside. *Q. What 3 point do I have on my 70 on down John Deere?* A. The 800 series 3-pt had a handle for the up right adjustment on the right side (standing behind tractor) the 801 series doesn't have the handle.
Product Updates There is a misprint in the 2009 catalog page 274 - JDS998 fits the ALL FUEL and JDS996 fits the GAS ONLY. We apologize for the inconvenience.