The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

I am removing the oil sump on a 1958 fordson major I think I have removed all the bolts but the dam thing will not budge any ideas regards darryl

Hi
there should be 21 little bolts on the block flange and 7 bigger ones round the back bottom half of the bell housing if they are all in, 1 bigger one each side is up by the frame rail lugs. There is 2 little bolts right at the front on the sump to block flange, left side one is round the corner a bit and the right side one where the bulge sticks out the side for the oil pump, is up in a hole cast in the sump if looking up from underneath , about 5 or 6" from the outside edge at the front .

if the holes plugged with crud you can't see that small bolt . The other thing is the sump could be just held by the gaskets, or nipped between the front plate and the bell housing. you might have to support the tractor under the gearbox with a jack slacken the top bellhousing bolts and frame rails at the back, then let the tractor down a little to get the tractor to flex a bit, to get the pan to drop if the front axle and wheels are still on or jack under the front motor mount or frame rail if not. a 1/4" max is all you need it to open up. sometimes you have to pry with a screw driver or flat chisel between the block and sump to break the gasket seal also to get it to drop. the pan weight doesn't always break the gasket sea l.

The pan is cast iron and very heavy , you need a good trolley jack. I have done loads on my own with experience.As your doing your first you would be better with help as theres nothing worse than finding your stuck, drop the pan or can't reach the jack handle if you got a problem and going to damage your self or parts. I place the jack saddle where the wishbone fits in for the front axle when i do mine. it's about the safest place and easy to balance the sump there.
Good luck.
Regards Robert