The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

I have a 53 Super Major that appears to be leaking oil where the crank pulley meets the timing housing. Is this indicative of a front main bearing leaking or is there a bushing of some sort behind the pulley that is leaking?

Welcome to the forum. Where abouts do you live?
Is probably the seal in the timing cover thats leaking. It seals on the front pulley.
Easy enough to replace.
If your girl is a 53, then she will be a Major. If shes a Super Major, then maybe a 63.
Post some casting dates, and we can date her for you.
Kiwi Kev

Agree with Kev. You will have to remove the front cowl and radiator to get at the timing cover. Once you've removed the cover, the seal is easy to get at, I would recommend putting an easi-sleave on the pulley flange where the seal lip runs. This ensures that you have an unscored surface for the seal lip to mate with.

You talk about a New Major and a Super Major. Remember there are two different sizes.

The body and emblems are consistent with a Super Major, however, upon purchase it was portrayed as a 1953 model. The engine serial number is 1597749. Can you shed any light on what this tractor really is? We are in Montana, and it is possible the motor was replaced.

IF the rest of the tractor isn't AOP, then it was manufactured in 4/61 based on I&T FO-21 data.

Correct. That will make here a Super.

Many thanks for your help!

I figured since this is relevant to my issue as well (leak at front of engine), does anyone know the diameter of the sealing surface on the crank, to order a speedy sleeve for it, so I do not have to have it down for a bit waiting for one to come in?

Thanks, Tom

Hi Tom
The part is SKF manufacture number 99262, size 2.625-2.631" and be prepared to sell the farm buying it the last one i got was $80 in Brandon Bearing, Manitoba , The last tractor after this I did with JB weld and built it up and sanded it back smooth cost $9 and enough to do more than one hopefully that lasts good and as long as the tractor .
Just thought id add if you go the sleeve route i seem to remember you have to press it on the other way to what the instructions say, to get it to fit low enough to cover the ware on the boss when you pull the press tab off.
Regards Robert

Thanks Robert, I have ordered the speedy sleeve (as a mechanic, I do it right the first time, even though it may cost a little more in the end) my cost is $40, also have the seal and front cover gasket coming as well.

I will see how badly grooved the harmonic balancer is once I get it apart, I didn't want to disassemble it untill I had the parts, so that I could use it if needed

Hi Tom.
If your cost is $40 and i could get them for that id buy them too, I think im getting royally adjusted here some where .
I'm a full trained Mechanic too but on these old tractors a guy cant always justify the best most expensive option for a fix, customers don't want to spend $120 on parts and another 80 -$120 labor on a $2000 or less tractor that has way more issues than the oil it puts out the crankshaft seals on the barn floor .

My way of thinking is give the guy the option of whats 100% the right fix and cost or give him the other option with no Guarantee and let him decide. I would rather do that and maybe get some work than sit on my butt in the house watchin TV cause the guy said no and walked away. 9 times outta 10 I get some work and the guys happy with the out come . The 10th guy was just a waist of time and wanted something like a full rebuilt motor with parts, machine shop and labor for $500 .
Happy fixin
Regards Robert