Should I buy it?

[Ray,IN]

I sold my FIL's old MF 90 tricycle front with only ground speed PTO working, and poor rear tires. for $600 in 2006. The young man that bought it didn't know much about farm tractors, and I explained what didn't work and the expected expenses.

 

[Jim.ME]

That may all be true. However sellers rarely provide a worst case description of what they are selling. If the seller describes it as overheated I would believe that and price it as if it needs an engine overhaul due to scored pistons. Does the engine turn over or is it seized? As-is, IMHO only salvage value maybe $1,000 tops. Not repairing the temperature gauge is an indication there is much more deferred maintenance that was not done.

If you can overhaul a diesel engine yourself ( Perkins 302 diesel? ) allow $2,000 minimum in parts plus your labor. If you need to have a shop do the work add another $3,000 for their labor.

Check what the market value is for that tractor in running field ready condition, probably under $5,000.

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2269&context=tractormuseumlit

You replied to me and I understand all that. Your reply is similar to what I told him in post #9, yesterday.

He apparently is going for it as he posted he bought it.

 

[bradleydavidgood]

I just got this comment on my video:

Anyone know this guy?

Mike Harris

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

www.youtube.com

 

[bradleydavidgood]

I just got this comment on my video:

Anyone know this guy?

Mike Harris

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

www.youtube.com

 

[MM-TX]

I just got this comment on my video:

View attachment 156113


Anyone know this guy?

Mike Harris

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

www.youtube.com

Talk is cheap. How would that work? You take it to an internet stranger? I wouldn’t want that person at my place either. I wouldn’t even give that a thought. Just me.

 

[bradleydavidgood]

Talk is cheap. How would that work? You take it to an internet stranger? I wouldn’t want that person at my place either. I wouldn’t even give that a thought. Just me.

No, I wouldn't take it to a stranger, that's why I asked if anyone knows him silly.

 

[sotxbill]

Could be a $6000 fix. or a $30. cracked piston, scored cyl, and probably engine was already worn to the end of tolerances anyway. SO.. figure or a full engine repair. bore, sleeves, pistons, new head, and hope the block is not cracked. You will not know till you tear into it and then you cant get out of it. For the $7500 or more, you can buy a much much much newer and nicer tractor, or for even $4000 get a newer and RUNNING tractor. Best of luck either way.

 

[scootergmc]

The difference between us and that internet stranger is zero. Of course we all know each other.

Did you really give $2500 for it? Or did you get the favorite farmer deal?

 

[bradleydavidgood]

I gave 2500, to one of my favorite people in the world. Son of a farmer who is the brother and who's farm is next to my favorite farm that I keep my other tractor at and help Junior work on. Junior is the mechanic in the family and probably the greatest reason I bought it, because he is so excited about it, and whatever way it turns out, it will be a fun, and great learning experience for Junior and I.

The guy I bought it from was my horse agent/trainer/prepper for years. I sold my last horse last month.

He has also done tree work for me. He is doing a sidewalk job with me this month. And this winter he is going to work on my yard and driveway doing a bunch of work.

If the tractor is able to be fixed for a reasonable price, it will be used on the 2 farms next to each other, and by the seller if he needs it. It's going to stay in the family. If I ever buy more land and need it, I'll probably take it and the other tractor, a Farmall 140.

If it turns out to not be worth fixing, we will talk about what to do next, like part it out, sell it as is, whatever. No big deal either way.

These farms and families are like family to me. And I support them with my time and money.

 

[bradleydavidgood]

Oh, and he offered me 2 good rear tires for what he paid $400 and something for the back hitch for $115 and I bought them.

 

[Vito]

In the video I saw what appeared to look like major blow by or does the exhaust leak? Wish you all the best with getting the tractor healthy again.

Vito

 

[bradleydavidgood]

In the video I saw what appeared to look like major blow by or does the exhaust leak? Wish you all the best with getting the tractor healthy again.

Vito

I don't know. I haven't started looking at it. Just moved it to the other farm and left it there. There is no immediate plan. Just going to take it slow and step by step. The farmer's son who is the mechanic type will have more time in the winter. But maybe we can get something started before then.

Or this guy Mike Harris may help. He seems like a legit guy from what I researched but I haven't talked to him yet.

 

[rrlund]

Best of luck to you. I like the Super 90 diesel and would like to have one just for shows and parades, but for $2500, that thing would have to be nice. I sure hope it works out for you.

 

[bradleydavidgood]

Best of luck to you. I like the Super 90 diesel and would like to have one just for shows and parades, but for $2500, that thing would have to be nice. I sure hope it works out for you.

Thanks!

 

[bradleydavidgood]

Your serial number falls in the 1964 group of serial numbers. You have a 1964 MF 90.

Thank you!

 

[jimg.allentown]

You may or may not see just what the issue is if you take it apart. Are you familiar enough with engines to know what you are looking at/for? I ask as we have no idea of your skill sets or available tooling.

Many older tractors do a lot of "serious" work. They can if the cooling and other systems are properly maintained. In this case he felt it had a tendency to heat but without a working gauge it is hard to say if he was right or not. If it was heating the internal water jacket could have some build up, the radiator core could be partially plugged, the outside of the radiator core could be plugged with buildup limiting air flow through it, the water pump might be weak, it could be a number of things.

You should be able to get a combustion gas test kit for a diesel at a parts store. Diesel uses a different test fluid than gasoline. Doing that test should confirm if it is getting combustion gases into the coolant which would generally be a sign on a head or head gasket issue.

If I may say so, those combustion gas test kits are virtually worthless in my experience. They are a great tool for shops to sell head gasket replacements, but otherwise, there are too many other ways to fail the test when there is nothing at all wrong with the head gaskets.

In my experience, one fellow that I knew said that every one of his vehicles needed head gaskets. When he passed, his brother took over some of his vehicles. None ever needed a head gasket, yet they didn't pass that combustion gas test.

That test is based on petroleum components found in the coolant. those materials can come from sources other than head gaskets. This labels that test worthless in my opinion.

 

[bradleydavidgood]

If I may say so, those combustion gas test kits are virtually worthless in my experience. They are a great tool for shops to sell head gasket replacements, but otherwise, there are too many other ways to fail the test when there is nothing at all wrong with the head gaskets.

In my experience, one fellow that I knew said that every one of his vehicles needed head gaskets. When he passed, his brother took over some of his vehicles. None ever needed a head gasket, yet they didn't pass that combustion gas test.

That test is based on petroleum components found in the coolant. those materials can come from sources other than head gaskets. This labels that test worthless in my opinion.

Thank you.

I don't think I'm going to test anything.

I think Junior and I are going to take it apart and examine the valves and head.

 

[Jim.ME]

Thank you.

I don't think I'm going to test anything.

I think Junior and I are going to take it apart and examine the valves and head.

I suggest you get the correct Perkins manual for the engine as well as the MF 90 Operator's and service manuals before starting the project, so you have proper technical info at hand. The MF 90 parts book is available to use online at the AGCO site. If it works, the link below will take you to it.

MF Super 90 parts book

 

[NDIHC]

If I may say so, those combustion gas test kits are virtually worthless in my experience. They are a great tool for shops to sell head gasket replacements, but otherwise, there are too many other ways to fail the test when there is nothing at all wrong with the head gaskets.

In my experience, one fellow that I knew said that every one of his vehicles needed head gaskets. When he passed, his brother took over some of his vehicles. None ever needed a head gasket, yet they didn't pass that combustion gas test.

That test is based on petroleum components found in the coolant. those materials can come from sources other than head gaskets. This labels that test worthless in my opinion.

What was really wrong with the vehicles? I mean, there would be no reason to run a combustion gas test unless there was an underlying reason to do so. I've used the testers many times and 99.9% of the time no combustion gas is detected. When there IS a head gasket leak the fluid turns from blue to yellow in seconds. Otherwise you could run that thing on there all day and never have a color change. It sounds like the guy who thought all of his engines needed head gaskets wasn't using the tester properly. Probably was sucking coolant into the tester. I've seen a lot of guys do that when they didn't know what they were doing.

 

[jimg.allentown]

What was really wrong with the vehicles? I mean, there would be no reason to run a combustion gas test unless there was an underlying reason to do so. I've used the testers many times and 99.9% of the time no combustion gas is detected. When there IS a head gasket leak the fluid turns from blue to yellow in seconds. Otherwise you could run that thing on there all day and never have a color change. It sounds like the guy who thought all of his engines needed head gaskets wasn't using the tester properly. Probably was sucking coolant into the tester. I've seen a lot of guys do that when they didn't know what they were doing.

That could be. I can see many ways that petroleum residue can get into the coolant. Even the glycol, which is derrived from petroleum can break down after overheating. Someone could have added oil (accidentally, of course) to the coolant at some time. Snake oil in a can, better known as "miracle" additives can foul a test. Also, when a vehicle gets old, many things can contaminate the coolant. So, all in all, I have little faith in those tests.

On to the cars. He had a pickup, a Subaru, and a minivan, all of which he said needed head gaskets. All were driven regularly up until he passed. Hi brother took the minivan, gave the Subaru to the girlfriend, and sold the pickup. None of them ever had head gaskets replaced, and all were driven daily from that point forward.

One thing I KNOW about head gaskets is that when they begin to fail, it is not long before it becomes a major problem and sidelines the vehicle. Head gaskets fail for a reason. That reason could be fasteners (head bolts) losing their clamping force. It could also be deterioration of the gasket material - more common in composition gaskets as opposed to shim gaskets. This could be due to corrosion or other chemical action from perhaps using plain water instead of antifreeze solution. Either way, an engine with a failing head gasket will not last long as a daily driver.