Majorman

[agjim]

I have much respect for your opinion on the Fordson forum. I have a couple of Dextas for parts tractors and 2 Super Dexta that are runners, one of which I gave to one of my 12-year old grandsons for Christmas. He used the Super Dexta this past Fall helping me with hay and loved it.
I recall from years ago when these tractors were relative new the first Dextas had transmission and/or rear end gear problems. If my memory as a teenager is right when was this problem solved and what did they do for the "fix"?
One of my parts tractors seems to be in usable condition except the engine has a freeze crack on the side of the block. Do you know of anyone putting a 203 Perkins 4-cylinder in a Dexta and what are the pros and cons of this type engine swap? I have a 4-203 engine I could use to make the conversion.
I'm eager to hear your opinion and comments.
 

[Majorman]

The gearbox selector problem is a pretty easy fix by building up the bottom of the
gear stick with weld and reshaping it to fit. That was the normal cure. After-market
gear sticks are available but I have not heard good reports of the ones over here.

The main cause of the problem was people "cutting corners" of the "H" pattern when
shifting gears and trying to rush. My Dexta is 1960 and still shifts like a new one
so must have had a good owner before me.

As regards the engine, I have not seen a 4-203 Perkins fitted but I am sure it is
possible with a bit of work. Do not forget that a Dexta engine block is designed to
be part of the frame of the tractor and is stressed to take such loadings. Most
people here use the MF35 or 135 engines, three cylinder tractor engines, so there is
no problem with stresses or length. I think on the 4-203 you might need a sub-frame.

If your Dexta is after 1960 you could also find a Standard Industrial petrol engine
to fit. They were used in M-H 701 balers at one time.



Or, perhaps, try this. ;0)
 

[Majorman]

The only problem with gears I remember was due to them not having enough gears in the working range, this was changed fairly early on around 1960 so is not a problem on your Super Dexta or Dexta after that year.

I did have a needle roller bearing fail last year in my Live Drive gearbox, a real pain to get to as the tractor had to be split in three pieces to get to a £1.00 bearing and finding one was a bit difficult. In the end I found a supplier who still stocks them for other uses. Still it had done since 1960 so I suppose it was not too bad.
 

[agjim]

Thanks for your opinion and comments. I will investigate my options.
 

[agjim]

[Majorman]

No, it belongs to a member of the Blue Force Club over here. It is a Mitsubishi, I
think.