Ford Tractor With GM Diesel Engine

Ford Tractor with GM Diesel Engine TRACTORS Miscellaneous 9-4-28 Oregon farmer Mike Reed, of Sheridan, made his own tractor for less than $3,600 by combining two of his favorite pieces of equipment - a 1959 Ford "Power Major" tractor and a 271 General Motors diesel engine. Reed salvaged the tractor from a junkyard and got the engine from military surplus. "There wasn't anything wrong with the tractor," says Reed, "it was just a shameful waste of a good machine. The GM engine is powerful, and easy and cheap to overhaul. It gives the tractor 60 hp., about 30% more hp. than the standard engine, thus making the Ford an excellent around-the-farm tractor." Reed put 23.1 by 26 wheels from a 95 Deere combine on the back to give the tractor a smoother ride. He put adaptor plates on the axles to match the different wheels and rebuilt the front axle. Because the new engine is larger than the standard engine, Reed had to raise the hood 6-in. He also installed an air cleaner from a combine and mounted the radiator higher. Reed notes that, to fit the Ford transmission, he only had to add an adaptor plate between the two flywheels and another adaptor between the two housings. He plans on adding a turbocharger. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Mike Reed, 7576 Sawhill Road, Sheridan, Ore. 73501 (ph 503 876-5580).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.