PTO problem? Gearbox noise Super major 1963

[Billy26F5]

You're right about all that. Try to find play in the main upper shaft and transmission large gear, and other than that maybe you need to see what position neutral is in, it could be damage in the selectors allowing a gear to rub against another. Just a thought. Keep trying with different combinations, you'll find out sooner or later. Did you put the PTO idler gear the right way round? I'm running out of ideas too.
Sandy

[Aleš63]

Hi Sandy, I'll start repairing the tractor again today or tomorrow. What do you mean by adjusting the PTO idler gear? Aleš

[Billy26F5]

I don't mean adjusting, just that it's the right way round, though I doubt it'll fit the wrong way.
Sandy

[Aleš63]

Hi Sandy, so after some time I got back to working on the tractor. In the end, I had a new bushing made for the original handbrake gear. I don't think I can hear that noise anymore. But while I was at it, I decided to separate the gearbox from the rear axle and replace the remaining two bearings, including the seals. If everything works as it should, I'll soon start repairing the fuel pump. Sandy, I'd like to thank you once again for your information and willingness to help.


New bushing










Here are the new bearings and seals.

[Billy26F5]

Sounds encouraging, looks good. I wouldn't be surprised if those welds break, nothing to worry about. The new bush lloks far better, hope you're there this time.
Sandy

[Aleš63]

Oh, and before I forget, I found an interesting item for sale It's the first time I've seen something like this.

Roadless with automatic transmission

[Billy26F5]

Can't see it very well, but I can't remember one. Looks like a Brockhouse gearbox, used in several conversions, although I'd never seen one on a Roadless. Looks like a late Power Major.
Sandy

[Aleš63]

Hi Sandy, I drove the tractor today and I have to say it's an incredible change. Everything works great and the gear shifting is excellent. Aleš

[Billy26F5]

Great work, now to have fun! If you're like me you never cease to want more!
Sandy

[Aleš63]

Hi Sandy, it's starting to get pretty cold here, but even at -5°C, the Major starts up just fine They're forecasting -11°C for the next few days, so we'll see


https://youtube.com/shorts/lcA_Udv0FjM? ... Bxkvv9_5Id

[Billy26F5]

I'm afraid that's actually very poor by Major standards. Major's were well known for not noticing cold well below -20ºC, but yours seems to struggle a bit at a much higher temperature. The battery doesn't seem to be an issue. I'm afraid this points at major issues, for even very worn Major's will still start as if they're hot. It might be as simple as having the timing a fraction of a degree out, to be sure about that you'll need to do spill timing on no. 1 to verify that the timing mark is still valid.
Here's one I found starting at -6ºC as it should: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Tzg3jeLsc
Sandy

[Aleš63]

Well, I thought my Major was in good shape But I'm not worried because now I'm going to repair the pump and injectors, and next year I'll take the whole engine to a specialized tractor engine repair shop. Slowly but surely, it will hopefully be in the same condition as it was 60 years ago But I have to say that you're right about the battery, because today it was dead. Tomorrow is supposed to be just as cold, so I'll try to start it with a fully charged battery. Today I put a different battery in the tractor and it started so quickly that it scared me

[Aleš63]

So it must really be the battery. I connected it to the charger again and it's almost empty. Tomorrow I'll try to start it with a new battery and hopefully it will start as it should And if not, then I'm out of luck

[Billy26F5]

That's a relief. I wouldn't do anything to the engine if it actually does well. Rebuilt engines never run as well as unrebuilt engines, so something to keep in mind. The start you're talking about with the better battery sounds much more like it's meant to be. Billy is about to need a battery too. Original spec is impossible but similar sizes are available. Depends on what you want. Your tractor started with two 6V batteries (originally E1ADDN-10657C), but a 12V one like fitted before 1408399 will fit nicely (unless it has raised connections between cells like the original E1ADDN-10657), alternately you could get a spark ignition or inertia starter type (introduced 1507517) battery tray and clamp (trays E1ADKN-10734, E1ADKN-10734B and E1ADN-10734 and clamps E1ADKN-5165, E0A-5165A, E0A-5165B and 402E-5165B in place of your current E1ADDN-10734B and E1ADDN-5163C or the earlier E1ADDN-10734 and E1ADDN-5165) to suit a modern battery. The clamp and tray must always match and the mattery must fit them properly to prevent movement.
Sandy

[Aleš63]

Hi Sandy, after driving a few miles on the tractor, I have to say that from the first start-up after adjusting the clutch, I have to admit that the procedure I used to adjust the clutch is really great and I can only recommend it! A huge change. Aleš

[Billy26F5]

Really glad that worked, hope you can enjoy your Super Major lots now!
Sandy

[Aleš63]

Hi, yes, it's really great now. The last parts for the injection pump are currently arriving. Since I order everything from abroad and it takes a while for the delivery service to deliver the package, I didn't want to underestimate it and ordered most of the parts new. I still have to wait for one bearing that I accidentally ordered only one of. I am attaching photos of what I ordered. I am curious to see how the pump will run after the overhaul. I also have the injectors ready. Hopefully, there won't be any defective parts that I don't have . Aleš

[Aleš63]

<a href='https://postimg.cc/8JQjwfZY' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/8JQjwfZY/IMG-20260107-183305.jpg' border='0' alt='IMG-20260107-183305'></a>

[Billy26F5]

Looks like you've got all internal parts! The one thing I haven't seen is a governor spring (E719-CL-9, marked blue) but I really think you won't need to change much. You will need to check phasing and calibration, so make sure you have access to suitable equipment or a friend who can help you with that. I don't think phasing spacers are currently available, so you might well end up having to make some. All that will keep you busy for a while!
Sandy

[Aleš63]

Hi Sandy, I've already arranged for someone to adjust the injection pump, and he has the right equipment for it. Only a few people in my country have a Fordson tractor, but I'm lucky because he has already repaired a few of these pumps. Do the phasing washers need to be replaced? Aleš

[Billy26F5]

Excellent. The phasing spacers will need replacing if the phasing you have right now isn't correct. If it is correct then you won't need to replace them them. You'll only know when you check the pump before dismantling (If you test it before you'll know if it's ok or not and also what actually needs replacing or adjusting).
Sandy