New to this forum, but picked up a '52 E1A (see pic) and first job is to change the engine oil - am assuming a straight SAE 30 engine oil is best, or would people recommend something else?
Also, where is the best place to get a new oil filter - pic of the old one below, measures 136mm (5 3/8) long, 71mm (2 3/4) wide and hole is 20mm (3/4)?
Welcome Aboard Matey. Nice looking Fordson Major you have there. The oil filter should be easy enough to get. Even your local New Holland Dealer should have it on the shelf. I recently got a filter from my local NAPA parts store. As for oil, I think 30 wt is best. Dandy Dave!
I drained the engine oil out through the drain plug and notice it's in the middle of a circular plate held in with about 8 bolts - I am assuming there's an extra filter or mesh or something inside here - is it simply a case of unbolting the circluar piece, catching all that falls out before cleaning and re-assembly or are there any tricks or things I should know before I get myself stuck?
liam wrote:Are you sure it is the sump you drained and not the gearbox ?Never seen a sump like you described.
I hope so - it was the bottom of the engine, a foot further back is a very similar arrangement for the hydraulic oil though hanging slightly lower, but again another round disc with multiple bolts. Am assuming gearbox drain is further back still, need to drain and change all, just thought I'd start at the front and work my way through to the back.
Dan.
Welcome. You are right. The center bold is to drain the oil. The plate is to have access to the oil pump filter. I think you need a new paper sealing when you remove it.
On the rear end the same way. To remove the square plate at the rear end, that is the pump pedestal, you have to remove the pto shaft. If you will do this the filler pipe of the lift will come out and I think it will be a bit tricky to get it back
Sump filter was on the first Mk1 engines, then they put on a plain sump and you had to take it off to get to the oil pump strainer. You can use instant gasket as a seal here without any problem.
There is also a pump filter on the hydraulic pump, you have to lower the drawbar, four bolts and whoops! You are up to your armpits in oil! You do not have to remove the PTO shaft or the pump pedestal, just remember to drain the oil first! Around 10 gallons in there.
Fordson Tractor Pages, now officially linked to: Fordson Tractor Club of Australia, Ford and Fordson Association and Blue Force.
Brian
Brian wrote:Sump filter was on the first Mk1 engines, then they put on a plain sump and you had to take it off to get to the oil pump strainer. You can use instant gasket as a seal here without any problem.
There is also a pump filter on the hydraulic pump, you have to lower the drawbar, four bolts and whoops! You are up to your armpits in oil! You do not have to remove the PTO shaft or the pump pedestal, just remember to drain the oil first! Around 10 gallons in there.
Would Hylomar Blue be ok as an instant gasket - got some of that somewhere round here.
There's less than 10 gallons in mine - got a leak on the seal in the link arm control lever and for what looks a small leak it has left a fair amount of oil where it's parked.
Nice looking Fordson Major you have there. 
The oil filter should be easy enough to get. Even your local New Holland Dealer should have it on the shelf. I recently got a filter from my local NAPA parts store. As for oil, I think 30 wt is best. Dandy Dave!