mf 135 help please

bassy · 23-03-2026 09:07PM #1

hi guys bought a mf 135 last year and i want to fully resore it to spanking new,but before i buy the cab wings bonnet etc i wanna get the engine fully restored.

i was just going to replace all the gaskets etc but a friend told that you may as well fully restore the engine when its took apart to put on the gaskets etc.

so my question is do any of you guys no anyone that could do the engine restore on it ?.

am based in kilkenny,any help be great,cheers.

Anto_Meath · 24-03-2026 12:13AM

See the girl Sammy from Lucky Day got her MF 20 rebuilt with a crowd in Kildare call South Coast Diesels... would say it would cost a fortune though...

bassy · 24-03-2026 12:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336044#Comment_124336044

i only want the engine rebuilt,whats lucky day ?.

Anto_Meath · 24-03-2026 12:45AM

Lucky Day is the competition thing where they have massive bundles of farm machinery up for raffle... its some form of a scam but it gets a lot of social media attention.

bassy · 24-03-2026 12:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336080#Comment_124336080

not helpful

hopeso · 24-03-2026 01:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336087#Comment_124336087

You did ask…

bassy · 24-03-2026 01:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336128#Comment_124336128

i did yes,but your man on about competitions how does that help me…………………………………………

divillybit · 24-03-2026 04:51AM

Roberts engines may have a mf135 engine ready to go.. they'll take the old engine as part of the deal.

Is the engine hard started though? Is it breathing heavily through the rocker cover pipe or the oil fill point? Those 3 cylinder perkins engines were always easy started even without heating so you could be fixing something that isint broken. Maybe get the injectors and fuel pump overhauled but wouldn't go replacing piston rings and liners etc unless you really needed to

emaherx · 24-03-2026 07:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336136#Comment_124336136

To be fair they were referring to a crowed in Wicklow (South Coast Diesels) that Luck Day used, so they were trying to be helpful. You'll find a lot less help here by being rude.

Engine Spares ltd in Lanesbourogh have a good reputation for rebuilds.

Diddly Squat · 24-03-2026 07:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336136#Comment_124336136

It helps in that they gave you the information in their reply as to who they think can help you, "SOUTH COAST DIESELS" if you had read it properly you would have seen that they were being helpful. You asked what Lucky Day was and he told you

patsy_mccabe · 24-03-2026 10:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336136#Comment_124336136

Doesn't help with your attitude, that's for sure……….

SodiumCooled · 24-03-2026 10:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336080#Comment_124336080

It’s a lot of things but it’s not a scam. There are quite a few competition companies and all the main ones anyway are genuine, I’ve seen two local people around me win cars with two different ones.

The point wasn’t about the comps anyway it was that Sammy from lucky day had her tractor restored - nothing to do with her competition business.

leoch · 24-03-2026 10:42AM

U come across as a wnak bassy ......so the places I no of ill just keep to myself

whelan2 · 24-03-2026 12:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336511#Comment_124336511

That made me lol

Anto_Meath · 24-03-2026 12:15PM

@SodiumCooled yes you are right, I know a few that have won stuff on them competitions too. Scam is the wrong word.. I am guessing a lottery competition would be better explanation.

But considering Bassy totally misinterpreted me only trying to help with where migh be able to restore their tractor, they might be better off doing one of these competition as no one will want to do much for them with that attitude....

_Brian · 24-03-2026 12:29PM

Does the engine need doing is the big question ??

Is it leaking oil, burning oil or hard to start.

someone above mentioned where you could trade your own engine for a recon unit. That’s the path I’d go down, you don’t seem knowledgeable on engine rebuilds so better leave that to the experts and swap. If it’s really needed at all.

emaherx · 24-03-2026 12:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336791#Comment_124336791

I'd be of the opposite opinion, if all the numbers are matching I'd be more inclined to have my own overhauled rather than swapped, especially if it only requires more minor work. Different storey if engine is totally wrecked, but it doesn't sound like it is either.

Really no bigger a job for the OP, just a little longer of a wait.

bassy · 24-03-2026 08:23PM

Hi guys sorry about my comment but I had no idea what luck day was etc

I will try to get pictures up of the engine,she's running fine.

But there's like oil on the ground underneath engine not a lot to be fair.

I'll try get pics up tomorrow as it will give you a better idea of what I'm on about

Thanks for the comments and the smart comments 😁

mickdw · 24-03-2026 08:34PM

Any engine shop would know a 135 inside out I'd imagine.

Jb1989 · 24-03-2026 08:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124336207#Comment_124336207

Yes he explained what lucky day was but didnt explain Sammy, being the owner, or the diesel 20, and what that had to do with a competition, I think everyone jumped the gun a bit, including the op, but all unintentionally.

emaherx · 24-03-2026 09:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124338120#Comment_124338120

Antho_Meath explained that they used South Coast Diesels which was the relevant part, I guess he assumed most people would have herd of Lucky Day Competitions.

Explaining who Lucky Day are in detail wouldn't make the answer any more helpful, but he gave his brief description when asked, it was an appropriate enough response as a follow up (whether or not all of us agree with the scam bit or not).

People pointed out it was a bit rude and some of us still provided a suitable answer also.

Responding to people trying to be helpful with "not helpful" or "yer man ..... How's that supposed to help me" are not going to maximise positives responses.

Jb1989 · 24-03-2026 10:08PM

I thought the same till I reread the thread, I can see how someone might get confused with a Lucky day while talking about opening an engine, especially with someone not ever hearing about such a thing.

Wrong choice of words from op in reply to anto tho after him explaining it.

emaherx · 24-03-2026 11:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124338312#Comment_124338312

Wrong choice of words from op in reply to anto tho after him explaining it.

Yep, to be fair that's what we said.

And to be fair to the OP I see he's acknowledged and apologised above, so not sure what the issue is.

Jb1989 · 24-03-2026 11:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124338444#Comment_124338444

Aw no issue with me, just giving the new guy a chance to get back in the good books. Over and out 👍🏻

Anto_Meath · 25-03-2026 12:10AM

Exactly, we will all move on, I was trying to be helpful. I had indeed assumed Bassy would be aware of Lucky Day as there seems to be adverts for it on all forms of social media.

I did watch some of the You Tube videos of South Coast Diesels rebuild the 20 & they were informative and showed the right way to do it, thats why I thought it might be helpful.

I must admit I do love how you can post something on Board and it heads off in a totally different tangent. Like a lad post a photo of his new shed & then gets a load of questions about an old tractor thats in the background two sheds over....

Jb1989 · 25-03-2026 12:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124338584#Comment_124338584

Yea I love them shed photos lol

the_pen_turner · 25-03-2026 01:00AM

i know 2 people that got John Hayde in woodsgift near urlingford to restore their 135 and 265 s did a full restore on them. not sure if he is still doing it but he would know who is doing it now. he was heavily involved in the iveta as well.

emaherx · 25-03-2026 07:44AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124338094#Comment_124338094

If the engine is running well I'd be inclined to not go nuts on the restoration. Injectors pump and seals would make a good job of it.

They are prone to leaking in 2 places. The cork seal fails around at the back of the sump, rope seal on the crank shaft. Both tend to leak into clutch bell housing and then out the little drain hole with split pin in it.

Later models with straight front axel may have a lip seal instead of rope seal, it's a lot more reliable but at this stage likely to be worn out too.

bassy · 25-03-2026 08:22AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124338813#Comment_124338813

Hi thanks for your input very much appreciated,mine is 1967 and I was told it's the earliest 135 it's got the so called front bent axel or how ever it's properly called lol.

Will try get pics up later,thanks guys