Is there anyone still around that converted tvo tractors to Perkins??

[startinghandle]

I am not referring to converting Fordsons for ploughing matches in recent years but back in the 50's when many fergis majors and Nuffield were changed to diesel. How much did it cost? And how much was performance improved?

 

[Av Gorritt]

I converted 2 Ford E27 N 4 cyl . paraffin tractors to Perkins P6 diesels . I bought the engines from a chap somewhere near Ripon who broke tractors . These were from 2 cable operated shovels . They went well , and sounded great with the 6 pot sound . I put a cab on one of them -- a mini car body squeezed in to go between the wings , which I claim no originality for -- I copied the idea from a farm I went to on Anglesey where they had one on snow shifting work . It was such an oddity that I was stopped on the road by an interested passer by , who wanted to know exactly what it was . Don't suppose you could do that now of course , but for the time , for an impecunious farmer starter it went well for a long time . I used to work on the idea that if I couldn't make it , I couldn't afford it !.

 

[essexpete]

I have read somewhere that a late 40s County crawler was about £760 and a p6 version was about £320 more.

 

[colhonk]

We coverted a 1950 Nuffield to perkins P4 power in 1967. then a 1949 nuffield to BMC 3.4 power the next year. the reason being father hated the `stink of diesels`but when we got a MH 780 special in 1967 with a L4 diesel ,and saw how much better than TVO. plus tvo was unavailable then. Used to run the 56 Fergy 35 on mixture of petrol/blue parafin/ diesel for awhile. EEEh the good old days

 

[Av Gorritt]

I worked for Perkins for couple of years . In their yard , they had a fleet of top spec American cars / limos , - Caddys and suchlike . They were used to ferry overseas buyers - mostly coloured - from Peterborough Station to Perkins offices . When they were being given the sales pitch , one of the questions that would inevitably be asked " what about the horrible noise and vibration from a diesel power unit " . Perkins answer was , What about the cars that you came from the station in ? What the buyers didn't know was that they were all powered by P6 engines , but they were so heavily insulated and damped that from the inside , you wouldn't know the difference between them and the usual petrol engines . Question answered ! Quite off this topic was the usual final request "Any Pacific ?" The answer was always "Of course" They had a "stable " of very attractive young women to administer the "Pacific" as requested . It probably happened everywhere - but quietly , and probably still goes on , albeit heavily frowned upon .

 

[rick_vandal]

The economics are quite interesting! Also, to love or hate an E27n so much as to retrofit an L4 motor was a big commitment. Did Ford build flathead V8 engines for just £35? P3, P4, L4, P6, the latter in TA form de-rated by cast iron pistons but still silky smooth and tuneful too. Our climate didn't suit spark ignition. The P4 was a stop-gap for Nuffield DM4 until 4DM which was a better starter (a reason Massey went from 23C to 'P3'). BMC lost the plot by putting a diesel head on a 1.8 B series yet got better with the Montego (with Perkins input).

 

[Rusty_Relics]

I have an intrest in Perkins conversions we have quite a few tractors (All makes) which have been converted around our farm. I have also collected alot of period adverts and leaflets.
I will upload them as I get the time.
Thanks,
Carl Hargreaves

 

[Rusty_Relics]

here is another one I had to hand for combines though this time.
Thanks,
Carl Hargreaves

 

[Rusty_Relics]

here is one for the Allis Chalmers model B. I have rebuit one of these with a P3. just waiting patiently for paint job ....
Thanks,
Carl Hargreaves

 

[Rusty_Relics]

for your enjoyment ....

 

[colhonk]

Still got the L4 engine but not the nuffield to put it in now

 

[Rusty_Relics]

I am not referring to converting Fordsons for ploughing matches in recent years but back in the 50's when many fergis majors and Nuffield were changed to diesel. How much did it cost? And how much was performance improved?

There are some prices on these next couple of adverts. I will do a close up of the prices

Thanks,
Carl Hargreaves

 

[Rusty_Relics]

 

[Rusty_Relics]

here is my L4 Nuffield, I've had it for years but it doesn't get much use now.
L4's are a lovely engine when they are running, not the best of starters in cold weather though.
I could go on, and on with all the other perkins conversions we have knocking around the place.
Thanks,
Carl Hargreaves

 

[Nearly]

A friend started putting a dexta engine into a Fordson standard last summer.
Any pics @JLTate

 

[rick_vandal]

I have an intrest in Perkins conversions we have quite a few tractors (All makes) which have been converted around our farm. I have also collected alot of period adverts and leaflets.
I will upload them as I get the time.
Thanks,
Carl Hargreaves

A brilliant example of a worthy engine transplant! From the asthmatic TVO Morris with a crank handle in the left corner to become a stump puller. 5 gears and one reverse with a hydraulic pump you could disengage when not needed, brakes and steering already worn, too much too late.

 

[REStracTORATION]

I worked for Perkins for couple of years . In their yard , they had a fleet of top spec American cars / limos , - Caddys and suchlike . They were used to ferry overseas buyers - mostly coloured - from Peterborough Station to Perkins offices . When they were being given the sales pitch , one of the questions that would inevitably be asked " what about the horrible noise and vibration from a diesel power unit " . Perkins answer was , What about the cars that you came from the station in ? What the buyers didn't know was that they were all powered by P6 engines , but they were so heavily insulated and damped that from the inside , you wouldn't know the difference between them and the usual petrol engines . Question answered ! Quite off this topic was the usual final request "Any Pacific ?" The answer was always "Of course" They had a "stable " of very attractive young women to administer the "Pacific" as requested . It probably happened everywhere - but quietly , and probably still goes on , albeit heavily frowned upon .

Have you any more stories to tell, love to hear these from the horse's mouth so to speak.
I've a keen interest in how used to be done.
Spoke to a guy that was heavily involved with massey ferguson at banner lane and another guy from lambourne cabs I could chat for hours with them..

Thanks

Sorry to steer the thread off track

 

[REStracTORATION]

A nice bit of history here...
I think my grandad had a few perkys fitted into lorries of the time, I think late 50s
Got this hand booklet with them.

 

[Rusty_Relics]

here is a genuine Perkins photo of the L4 fitted into the E27N.
Note the use of the T.V.O fuel tank fitted back to front ....
Carl Hargreaves

and the back side of the photo with Perkins info on ....

 

[colhonk]

After converting the 2 nuffields to diesel, my Dad decided to get a p3 out of a Commer Karrier dustbin wagon to fit into the fergy 35,unfotunately the starter motor was on the wrong side, as the bellhousing on the TVO 35 only had 1 bulge on it for starter so diesel engine would not fit