New performance major questions

[Roadless63]

You do see some majors on the continent fitted with mechanical governed injector pumps, these were optional before the minimec started being fitted around April 62

I had always had the impression the minimec appeared on 4 and 6 cyl lorry, industrial and tractor in April 62, I think many industrial engines were fitted with the earlier mechanical governors well before then, which might help to confuse the issue. I definitely know that the minimec coincides with the Mk2 Thames Trader, for it was one of the main selling points (the Super Dexta did the same for the Dexta).
I would expect they used different ratios in the transfer box, as it's much simpler than different crown wheel and pinion sets, but I don't know.
Sandy

[Billy26F5]

Good stuff Ed.
For pics see this:viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5024&p=53955#p53955
I thought the early mechanical governors were only on industrials, retrofitted to tractors when required, rather than an option. I did think the prototype for the minimec would be an earlier block, I assume they used it as a guide to design the new block.
Sandy

[shepp]

I've never seen a GV or GM governed engine in an agricultural tractor in the UK that was fitted as original and I don't think a mechanical governed engine for agricultural applications was an available option in the UK. Some of the industrial tractors had them such as those fitted with compressors where a more accurate governed speed was needed.

I once went to a farm in East Yorkshire to buy a running 590E engine listed on eBay with minimec pump that had come out of a Clayson combine. When I got there it was a one man band arable farm, a bit run down, the guy was retiring, there were 3 Clayson combines in various states of dismantling and one complete one he had already sold. In addition to the running engine there were another seven non running 590E 6 cylinder engines and eight non running 592E 4 cylinder engines in a shed, a full mix of vacuum governed, GV governed, GM governed and minimec governed! It seems when an engine went faulty in a combine or tractor such as cylinder liner seals going or picking up on a piston due to overheating he would buy an engine out of a breaker or buy a complete unit to break, but never repair the original unit - a mentality many small farmers posessed at that time.
Needless to say I bought the lot, all the six cylinder engines were immediately snapped up with much enthusiasm by a contact in Ireland, and the four cylinder engines did not hang around much longer either.

[Billy26F5]

I thought I remembered a GV or GM (I can't remember which) on a tractor, but it must have been a 6.
I would have struggled to part with all of those!
Sandy

[EdWaters]

Hi, well I have the gearbox all apart now and inspected. As suggested..thank you, the bearing had failed and the other bearing on the same shaft on its way out. So I’m looking for 2 bearings
N-7118-D upper shaft small
N-7065-E upper shaft large
Does anyone have a generic part number for the bearings as the fordson part numbers are not coming up with much luck or out of stock.

[Billy26F5]

Unfortunately no, but if you measure them you might be able to find them, I think Ford used Hoffmann bearings but any of the typical bearing companies should have suitable ones. You could also look around a scrapy for a low hour gearbox with good bearings if you can't find them any other way. I recommend you look at the writing on the bearings themselves too, as that might also help to find new ones.
Sandy

[mathias1]

Hi, well I have the gearbox all apart now and inspected. As suggested..thank you, the bearing had failed and the other bearing on the same shaft on its way out. So I’m looking for 2 bearings
N-7118-D upper shaft small
N-7065-E upper shaft large
Does anyone have a generic part number for the bearings as the fordson part numbers are not coming up with much luck or out of stock.

One seems to be nf305
Orher maybe 6406
But definitly check measurements before you order

[shepp]

The bearings should have a standard number on the inner and outer races if they are original which should help you to cross reference them.

If you want a new gasket for the joint between the gearbox and rear end then Tyrone Tractors (also on Ebay) have had a batch done, I have bought 3 of them as it is the first time I have come across anyone with them for many years and they are a good quality thick gasket, but you will have to be quick they only have 2 left of the first batch and I do not know if they will re-stock. They also have full gearbox gasket sets at the moment.

[EdWaters]

Thank you, I’ve ordered both the main gasket and the gasket kit. Also those 2 bearing numbers where perfect and good value for money.