Questionhey there, I had a Massey Ferguson 1450 Garden Tractor, and it has a 14 hp kohler engine , just wondering if its normal for them engines to smoke on start-up? I was thinking it was the valve seals but someone told me they all do it on start-up,and that if its not smoking all the time then i shouldnt bother doing a motor job, what is your imput? with something that old i would like to keep it for a few years.Is it worth doing at the moment,are these engines pretty tough its got a cast head on it. And I was just wondering if there's any place I could get some information on this tractor??,i know it was made for a 3pt hitch,and a pto but I guess the original owners didnt go the extra mile and get it put on.
AnswerI have a Massey Ferguson 12 in the shop right now waiting on a complete restoration. It's getting a 16 K-series Kohler which is pretty much the same engine you have I also own a John Deere 120 with a similar engine.
They are built pretty loose and do blow a little smoke. I suspect yours is leaking a little past the crankcase breather and when you shut the engine off, a little oil is left in the chamber which burns off the next time you start it.
These engines are very tough and very strong. And very heavy. I have several K-series that I see on a regular basis. As long as you keep the oil changed and don't overheat them, they will last indefintely. I have one in the shop on an old Gravely that has been rebuilt at least 3 times and is still going strong.
A good place to go to learn about antique tractors is Smokstak.com. You should be able to find out anything you want to know there. Take care of that great little tractor. Thanks, PK.
