The engine had a relatively fresh overhaul on it before it was mothballed... my father used it for one season to either plow or disc (I don't recall, I'll have to ask him), and opted not to use it the following season because, let's just say, she likes keeping her tank empty. His old friend, the late Bill Bearndt, did the rebuild. That guy was a walking encyclopedia when it came to MM tractors and equipment- he tended to favor IH pickups and heavy trucks, but his tractors were always MM.
There was also a stubborn leak in the right rear tire and tube. He went back to using his Massey-Ferguson 1100 (a '74 he bought brand new), and the G1000 sat. He retired from farming a few years later, though this and the 1100 remained on the farm. Though stored outside, a large bucket was placed over the exhaust standpipe, which also had a rain cap.
The engine was running after minimal fuss- it still has the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor it had when he got it. The fuel tank was removed and cleaned, and the carb jet was replaced. When it was up and running, it was discovered that the oil pressure sending unit line had broken, so it would leak oil while running... that should be a minor fix. All the gauges appear to work... except, of course, for the one for oil pressure.
When it rolled for the first time, the bad right rear tire held up (though it was obviously still leaking air at an alarming rate) but the formerly "decent" left rear tire collapsed- the sidewall shredded. Fortunately, we were able to find some very nice used Firestone tires for the rear. Here she is as of now- in the first pic the guy is still working on the right tire.
Next thing will be to knock off that horrible Full Vision cab and tracking down some proper factory fenders for it.
In the meantime, wow... doesn't it look 1000% beter up on good tires than it did parked on flats in the weeds (like it was in my avatar pic)?
