1979 Massey Ferguson 148 Engine

[Fergiebird]

Hi, I have a 1979 Massey Ferguson 148 with a 3-cylinder Perkins engine. Now it is very high pressure in the crankcase ventilation due to the large amount of leakage gas from the cylinders. It’s definitely time for an overhaul. But first I hope there are some who can help me find out if it's the original engine who still sits in it? The engine number is 152U 2062DSL and even though the tractor is from 1978 I have heard that this engine is probably from before 1975, can it be right?

Best regards Jan Lovseth

 

[msheep66]

I thought they only made the 148 up till 1976.

 

[timff]

Correct about 1976. Then it went into the 550

 

[Celtic Driver]

Built for export until 1979 at Banner Lane 550 uses the same skid unit .

 

[agrimax]

Think the OP's engine was built before 1974 as that engine number code is the old style which changed format after that year. The old type engine number/code doesn't give the year of manufacture as far as I can see.We might just be able to give the correct year the tractor was built if we can have the tractor serial/chassis number.

 

[Exfarmer]

It may be a tractor that was not registered for the road till a few years old. Was common when tractors paid road fund duty.
There were tax reasons as well too, but cannot for the life of me think of how that worked.
So it was never safe to assume the numberplate had any connection to its true age

 

[24/7 farming]

We re-coned the engine in our 148 a year or two ago, made a great job of the tractor, although it had managed to blow a hole in the gasket so had ended up pretty dire before the recon!
Can't really remember the specifics but I think the fella doing the work used pistons from a turboed version of the engine??, they had a bit more meat in them or something?, and the extra cost difference was very little over the standard ones. Someone in here might be able to advise more?

 

[REStracTORATION]

We re-coned the engine in our 148 a year or two ago, made a great job of the tractor, although it had managed to blow a hole in the gasket so had ended up pretty dire before the recon!
Can't really remember the specifics but I think the fella doing the work used pistons from a turboed version of the engine??, they had a bit more meat in them or something?, and the extra cost difference was very little over the standard ones. Someone in here might be able to advise more?

Turbo piston would lower your compression...

 

[24/7 farming]

Turbo piston would lower your compression...

Maybe he was spinning us one with that then, she's an absolute flyer nw anyway!, and I don't think we have used the heater for starting since, even at -5 we're away on the first turn.
Hopefully it will see her sorted for another 10,000hrs!/40yrs!![emoji4]

 

[REStracTORATION]

Maybe he was spinning us one with that then, she's an absolute flyer nw anyway!, and I don't think we have used the heater for starting since, even at -5 we're away on the first turn.
Hopefully it will see her sorted for another 10,000hrs!/40yrs!![emoji4]

They should start without heat
Just touch the key and they should go


All the best with it

 

[startinghandle]

Has the tractor been used for light use causing bores to glaze what oil are you using and is it smoking bad

 

[Fergiebird]

Hello everybody, and thanks for all the posts and contributions. I understand that it is hard to say something for sure without complete identification. Now I attach photo both to the tractor's serial number and engine number and hope you will continue helping me to find out as much as possible about my tractor. I have previously heard that MF148 was produced for export to 1979, so it seems to be correct.

Where and when is it produced?
Is the engine the original one from the factory?
Are some ed3.152 engine versions considered better than others?

 

[superspec]

The engine number seems very low for a 1979 tractor, but is the correct type for a 148.
II think DSL means
D = Diesel ,
S= uprates engine, so the correct spec for a 148,
L = Lipped seal for crankshaft
The lip seal was not fitted to early engines
All the 148's i have owned were uk built, but the engines were 152UA not just U.
Also a very late engine may of had a 4 bolt lift pump not 2 as in your photo

 

[Fergiebird]

Hello again and thank you for your help. You say you have had two engines where the engine number starts with 152UA, not just with 152A, such as on mine.

I found a page that I think gives an explanation for that; https://maxiforce.com/perkins-engine-identification-guide As I read it, the engines is made in the UK, (U: UK) but only your two engines is "Original MF Engines", (A: MF) while the engine in my MF 148 must have been replaced sometime. What do you experts think; should I find a 152UA engine for my MF 148, or should I overhaul the one I have?

Best regards Jan

 

[superspec]

My choice is overhaul the one you have, as it is a S type .
Has it got the correct timing cover

 

[Slowhand]

Serial number 610908 is definitely a 1979 tractor.
1979 was the last year of production for the MF148 and the last serial number produced was 610982 so yours is a very late machine

 

[Fergiebird]

Hi, and thanks for the very useful information! What tremendous knowledge and expertise it is on this forum, I am impressed! It is fun to know for sure that I have one of the last produced, and maybe is it produced somewhere in England?

My 148 is equipped with the Schindler 4WD. There was a completely broken torque clutch on the drive shaft when I got it. Thanks to information from this forum that all parts of the drive shaft were produced by Walterscheid, I found a brand new clutch and everything I needed for small money from an old warehouse in Germany. Such is fun.

I find it difficult to find parts lists and other information about the Schindler 4WD system for MF 148. So if anyone knows where to find as much info as possible and also where to buy parts I am very grateful for that...

Happy Easter to you all!