Posted by CBBC on December 21, 2016 at 10:49:50 from (184.66.87.175):
Good Morning everyone, I've got a bit of a dilemma with my MF 1085. We've had this tractor for the better part of 25 years. Dad bought it when I was in my teens to help baling and disking, rototilling and other light field work. Its been a good tractor and done a lot of work. Now all I use it for is brush cutting a couple fields and the dykes - 1-3' grass / weeds, pulling a wagon at harvest (6-8000 lbs) and a manure spreader with sawdust/hogfuel light soil - no beaters...I have dump trucks for most of this anyway.
This is the 4-318 engine, with known head gasket issues. 15 years ago when I replaced the gasket there was a burn through on the web between cylinders 3 and 4. The liner lips were fine it was just the web. A mechanic applied some metal in the bottle repair, replaced the head gasket. This was actually a pretty good repair at this time, it lasted 12 years with no overheating or other issues.
It looked like the previous owner had done something before and it looked like the two rear liners were different from the front two. Really we probably should have pulled the block and had it decked replace the studs etc, plane the head. But hind sight is 20/20...
Two years ago another head gasket. Again the web repair was burned out...same repair, maybe different product, I don't know what my mechanic used the first time as he died. All was good but August 2015 the Injector Pump was leaking a lot. Pulled it and sent to a good reputable shop, cost a more than I care to admit, but had to be done and several commercial fishermen and truckers suggested this place. Put it all back together and ran it probably no more than an hour and it began heat up and I could see the steam coming out. I recognized the head gasket issue again so I parked it and got on with the other stuff at hand...harvest was here and didn't need the tractor at that point...
I didn't bother with it for the whole year but last week I decided I had better take a look at it. Got it inside, pulled the head, sure enough burned through again. So this is where I'm at... this time the liner lip is burned through. So what to do... If I pull the block and have it decked how much can they take off? The web burn looks fairly deep - I will try to measure later but guessing 0.02" to 0.05". I would really might as well do a full liner replacement, bearings ... lets face it a full over haul. While I'm at it the clutch needs to be done too.
Finding a good condition 318 block in this area(South west British Columbia) may be a challenge, there were lots of 285s around I'm told but the I talked to one salvage / parts guy and he said he hadn't seen a 318 block for a while...but he'd keep his eyes open. Are there any salvage yards in Washington or Oregon which might have something?
I guess the question is should I even bother or just part it out myself? It would be a kind of good project, I have never done a full rebuild but I have several mechanics and friends I could draw on for help. It would actually be great to do with my son but he is too young - 6 although he is always interested and willing to help... not like he would be doing anything though.
I can easily see this costing more than its worth and still ending up with an average tractor. It is a handy size and its always good to have another tractor...but what should I do??? If I could find a good block or better a fully functioning engine for a reasonable price it wouldn't be such a dilemma.
If I replace the tractor, with something in that size and age range what brand model should I be looking for? I'm not really loyal to anything, we have a JD 6300, 2755, a MF 165 and even an old Belarus ( probably not that old just looks real rough)
What are your thoughts, ideas or any leads on a block or parts tractor..., All the best for the holidays! Merry Christmas, Grant
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