Want to check out our tractor maintenance videos? Click here to see what we've got!
Fordson Dexta ( Ford Dexter) tractors were manufactured from 1957 to 1964. Find the data specifications and serial numbers here to date your tractor.
Fordson made the Dexta and the Super Dexta (badged the Ford 2000 diesel in the USA). Forgive our misnomer in the title but so many people get the spelling wrong and look for the Ford Dexta, Ford Dexter tractor, Fordson Dexter, Fordson Dextar or some other variation when searching the internet for tractors for sale, parts or just information on their Dexta; so we thought we should include all these variations so that people could find the information they were looking for.
This book, Fordson Dexta 957E’s, 1957-64 (Classic Tractor Special)
This link is to the article on How much is a Dexta worth and how much does it cost to restore a tractor?
Built at the Dagenham factory the diesel model produced 32hp from a 3 cylinder Ford-Perkins engine. There was also a 4 cylinder petrol engine (37hp) manufactured in much smaller quantities.
Ford-Perkins Diesel Engine Dexta – F3.144
Power: 32hp (23.8kW) @ 2000rpm
PTO (rated): 31.4hp
PTO (rated): 23hp
Cylinders: 3
Cubic Capacity: 144ci (2.36L)
Compression: 16.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 3.5×5.inches (89×127mm)
Torque: 93ft-lbs @ 1200rpm
Firing Order: 1,2,3
Oil Capacity: 7.66 quarts (7.2L)
Fuel Capacity: 8.4gal (31L)
Coolant: 15pints (8L)
Hydraulic outlet flow: 4.42gpm
Weight: 3,100lbs (1406kg)
Electrics: 12Volts
Petrol Engine Dexta
Power: 37hp @2000rpm
Cylinders: 4
Cubic Capacity 133.5ci. (2.2L)
Compression: 6:1
Bore/Stroke: 3.425×3.622 inches (87×92mm)
Torque: 107lb. ft. @1250rpm
Firing Order: 1,3,4,2
Oil Capacity: 12 pints
Fuel Capacity: 9.5gals (43L)
Coolant: 11.5pints (6.53L)
Weight: 3142.5lbs (1425kg)
Spark Plug Point Gap: 0.030 to 0.032in (0.762 to 0.813mm)
Hudraulic Lift Capacity: 1850lb.
Comments…..
1
robert kimber says:May 23rd, 2007 at 7:24 am
where can i find out when a fordson dexter was madeHi Robert,
I’ve had a look around and it would seem that there is a lack of consistency in the reported serial numbers in relation to the year of manufacture. The information is sumarised in this article. It may be that the casting numbers are the most reliable method of dating your tractor.
Do you have a Dexta? My neighbour came to borrow our cambridge roller last month with his Dexta. It’s great to see these machines still at work.
Stephen from Vintage Tractor Engineer.
2
steve jones says:October 17th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
will the sump of my 1962 dexta come of without taking the engine out i have allready removed the axle, thanks steve.3
Steve says:October 17th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Hi Steve,I think that the sump will come off OK (Perkins Ford engine). Just watch
for some bolts (that hold the sump on) in the front and back of the sump as
they are tricky to see and you could miss them.IMPORTANT
The majority of the strength of the engine is in the sump. Therefore,
support the tractor under the gearbox and then support the weight of the
engine from above (with a suitable hoist) on the lifting eyes (or make some
lifting eyes). If you do not do this then there is a strong chance that the
block may crack.Steve
4
dave saville says:May 1st, 2008 at 10:05 am
hi. we are rebuilding a 1959 ford dextra. tractor. would you happen to knoe the original paint colour codes.. blue for the tractor and orange for the wheels. thanks dave5
Graham Slater says:September 9th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Can anybody tell me if the hydraulics on a Dexta are run by the engine oil or is it a seperate hygraulic oil?
I have just bought a diesel Dexta with a front loader.
Also what oil/hydraulic fluid is required?6
Richard Lacey says:September 23rd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
In response to Graham Slaters Question on the oil.
It is supplied from the Diff housing and uses the same oil type as the engine and gearbox. I am using an ST3 15W 40. I am in New Zealand so your oil may be designated differently.
Hope this is of some help
Richard7
Jannie says:September 24th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
HiCorrect timing marks on pump,cranck and valves
8
YVONNE says:October 24th, 2008 at 8:08 am
can you tell me what cubic capacity in the F3.144 ENGINE IN A FORDSON DEXTA DIESEL. thanks9
The Vintage Tractor Engineer says:October 26th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Yvonne,It’s exactly what it says on the engine number. 3 cylinders and 144 cubic inches capacity. The same system of identification is used for all the pre-mid 1990’s Perkins engines.
Steve
VTE10
Joe says:November 16th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
My father owns a Ford Dexta (estiamte of 1957 / 1958) that has passed down through the family and recently will not not move. It will go into gear however; it does not move. Can / does anyone have a clue what could be wrong? Or where to find more information on the clutch assembly?Thanks!
11
jackie says:November 27th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
We have a reck of a tractor which we are slowly restoring we have the new rad, pipes and cowl thanks to vintage tractors but where do we get the filler cap etc??12
Joanne McLaughln says:November 29th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Hi
My dad has a fordson dexta tractor, he is looking to find out the year the tractor was made, he has the chasey no and have casting codes for the model but he is finding it difficult to find out the year. there was no registration book present when he bought the vechicle.
I would be very grateful if you could help me in any way
Joanne13
The Vintage Tractor Engineer says:November 30th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Hi Joanne,There is a good Dexta bulletin board where you will probably get an answer to your question.
http://www.fordsontractorpages.nl/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=173ec1d7352e705e9daf9d37fd32550d
Hope you find the info you require. Would you let us know if you find out the info.
Steve VTE.
14
hi this is ferretman says:December 15th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Ive got a ford dexta i bought off a farmer friend it had been stood 10 years before i bought it off him for 500 quid im slowly restoring it and cant wait to have it all back together.Im a nostalgia nut so im collecting all the implements i can to go with it ,so far i have a Mconnell power arm a ferguson saw bench.And front loader which was on it,its a great hobbby,best wishes to all enthusiasts
welcome advice
How to adjust the hydrolic lift arms on dexta 1959
Howw toadjust hydrolic lift
At first it did not lift
took fop off carried to tractor shop $450. later got it back still did not work
I begane to work on it my.self under small front cove of large cover I found a cylinder type filter full of crud (about the size of large spark plug. now lift works but at top of range please how to adjust thanks in advance Tay
Dexta Shifting problem, under the 4 Bolts that hold the shifter for trans and high and low stick are near the front some 3/8 inch push springs under each spring ia ball bearing that hold the shift rods in place,they get rusty and break, so no pressure on Rods. O K. Tay
I’m in Ontario Canada, and have a Fordson Dexta for sale. It’s a 1958, if anybody would be interested!
sarahrockel@gmail.com for more information and photos!
Hi I have a 1962 Dexta had same problems with hydraulics very easy job to sort out if you take the seat of and remove the top casting, you can buy new seals for all hydraulics under neath including the piston hopfully this will work it has for me.
Cheers
Nigel
I bought a super Dexta with no injector pump. On trying to install the new pump I do not find a “GOOD” timing mark on the camshaft gear. I do find 2 separate pretty faint center punch marks. One on a tooth (AS IT SHOULD BE) the other in a valley. Can anyone tell me what is the correct timing mark?
My neighbor is looking for PTO HOUSING for a Ford Dexta…year uncertain. Can anyone help?
I came across an address of an organisation in the UK that can date dextas’s to the satisfaction of DVLA, saw this while looking for something else! Now have bought a dexta (unregistered) and need this address. can anyone help me?
Many thanks.
I have a good block for sale.07771950781
Please help. Working on a Fordson Dexta, the owner says that over the years the hydraulics have been getting weaker & weaker. Now it won’t lift at all even whenthe bush hog is not attached. I don’t know if it has an external pump or if it’s internal. It has no fluid in it so I put some universal tractor fluid in it but still nothing. I’d have to go back over there to get any numbers off the unit. Can someone tell me what all this job includes? Thanks for the help
The Dexta diesels do ‘hunt’, because they use a pneumatic governor. The hunting can be reduced by adjusting the idle damper screw at the back of the injection pump.
What contributes to ‘hunting’ is cylinder imbalance; namely: 1)when compression pressures vary due to engine wear, and 2) when injector pressures and sprays vary.
I’ve been told that Dexta’s ‘hunted’ even when new. Not a cure, but is there one?
Hello does anyone know the timing, dwell, points gap for a four cylinder fordson dexta gasoline? If you do could you please email me at J-M-A@hotmail.com.
hi there i have just bought a 3cyl deisel Dexter and it is hunting it will not run evenly at low revs, it will almost die the rev up pushing grey smoke out of the exhust but it seems to run alright when at higher revs what can i do to fix this problem thanks
just change head gasket on 59 dexta ..4 cylinder gas engine…can anyone tell me the torques and sequence on bolts…
can anyone tell me where I can get a real good manual and an after market power steering (or used)unit for my dextra tractor. I also was wondering about the hydraulic pumps abaility to run the steering and a wood splitter as far as the gpm and pressure it puts out? Thanks Doug
dose anyone know where i can find an engine a perkins 144 for my 1962 dexta or a good block
Evening All, Not really into Restoring, Just use it to Launch my Boat
Its a 1957 Dexta. Had for 17yrs, Had a few bits Modded. Dont think the Purist will apreciate it, But serves our purpose. Great Old Girl
Have Pics Of the “BABY”
John
I have a 144ci Super Dexta that I recently started rebuilding. After pressing in new sleeves, does anyone know what the piston to clyinder wall clearance should be?
Are the bolts and nuts on a Fordson Dexta standard or metric?
hi the recomended oil for the fordson dexta is momograde 30w such as [castrol XL 30]OR [CASTROL TECTION 30,
My fordson dexta 1957 is stuck in 1st gear, was ok until my son in law couldn’t find reverse. Can any one help.
Diesel running from the curled pipe under the injection pump suggests a leaking diaphragm on the lift pump. Without the pipe, leaking fuel would run down into the sump.
Hi Paul,
There is a pdf of the electrics section from the workshop manual available on Stefan’s website…
http://www.fordson-dexta.com/
The manual is in English!!
Steve VTE
does anybody know where i can get a wiring diagram for my dextra.man worked on it and cut all the wires and now it burns the solinoid up every time i try to start it.
when i started my tractor up for the first time in 6 months diesal was also running out of the breather, the little pipe thats curls over itself but after running it around for an hour or two it stopped, but i have not done my pump up either, but the dexta still took the 4 tonne roller all day long LOL
ihave a diesel under the pump there is like a overflow pipe when it is running there is diesel fuel runnjng out is this normal or do i need to rebuild pump pump is a simms thanks please email me if you can help mulesknnrx@embarqmail.com
Hello everyone, just restored a 1958 dexta and had it featured in the tractor an machinery mag jan 2010,just got it out yesterday to do some rolling and a few minor problems occured, oil presure light comes on when engine is idling and hot, not cold, charging light on constant and leak from rear axle, so now i have sorted the charge light, dynamo needed polarising, rear drain plug is now sealed but oil pressure light still comes on when tractor is warm/hot so I think the oil is to thin, what grade of engine oil is recommended.
Hi. George, im restoring a 1960 Dexta at the moment, busy with the rear axle’s and just had a look , i don’t see how you can turn the diff because the pinnion is only exposed to the crown wheel from one side, So in my opinion No.
hi can anyone help tried dvla they can t help need to know how to register fordson dextra have no documents with it but do know chassis and engine number cheers
Hi
We have a ford Dexter and would like to know if the diff can be reversed, so the tractor runs in reverse in the forward gears.I understand some fords can do this.
Thanks George
hello my 57 fordson dexta 3 cyl diesel smokes alot raw fuel smell an vibrates at mid to high rpm also how is the sims injection pump oiled.Should i run 15\40 oil in all parts of the tractor?
I have broken the lower right(looking from the back) linkage pin, sheer with the body and I need to know if these are screwed in, pressed in, placed in from behind, could anyone help?
fordson dexta is better than major.
I am considering buying a dexter to run my hydraulic log splitter but i cannot find out what pressure ( psi ) the hydraulic pump should produce. I would be gratefull if anyone can help.
Hi Scott,
The torques for the cylinder head nuts are 55-60 lb.ft.
Regards,
Steve.
i have a dexta cylinder head gasket to fit and bought a workshop manual but this doesnt give the torque for the cylinder head nuts, it gives the tightening sequence but not the actual torque setting. does any1 have a manual with the right torque?
help can any one tell me how to register our 1964 dexter, we have no number plates or registration document, spent an hour at DVLA who were no help at all,do have the chassis number
can any one advise please
Carol
Good Day,
We believe we have a 1962 (09B716466) Fordson Super Dexta (the engine cowling indicates such) this unit has a four cylinder gasoline engine.
Finding info is tough, let alone replacement ignition parts. I am trying to locate new distributor cap/rotor, points, even an OEM high-tension lead set if possible.
Can you or someone out there help us out? Thanks!
Regards
simon
Ron O That is a great tip on the trans shif problem.
Bob you may want to check and be sure the steering arms at the front wheels are free and lubed.As far as I know (and I don’t know much)there is no way to check the oil level in the steering tower. the only plug is right at the top,that is why I fill mine through the steering wheel cap (nut)
Bob I have 63 Dexta I use to brush hogg. I removed the fuel tank for repair exposing the steering tower. I then decided to determin why there was so much play in the steering. Upon removing the left steering arm I found several spacer shims that I believe were there from the time the tractor was new. I removed several leaving very little play when moving the arm after reassembly.I then removed the cap just under the steering wheel and found it to have many shims under it.I removed enough to snug uo the play. I keep this unit full of oil checking and filling through the steering wheel cap.The steering is as new
i AM IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING A 1963 FORD DEXTA TRACTOR. tHE ENGINE RUNS VERY WELL AND VERY LITTLE DIESEL SMOKE WHILE RUNNING AND MAYBE DUE TO THE TRACTOR HAS BEEN SITTING UP FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.
THE BROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT THE TRACTOR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER, ACTUALLY IT IS SO HARD, I FEEL THAT I AM GOING YO STRIP THE GEARS WHEN I TRY TO TURN. THE STEERING HAS SOME PLAY IN THE WHEEL BUT I BELIEVE SOMETHING ELSE IS WRONG.
ANY IDEAS SINCE DEXTER STEERING PARTS ARE HARD TO COME BY SO I HAVE HEARD.
THANKS
I own a ford dexta and I am looking for an after market power steering unit. (tough to turn around at the end of a row). Can anyone help me?
Hi,
I realize that I’m a bit late on this replay to the Dexta that won’t move. I’ve heard of this problem a number of times. I had this problem with mine in that if shifted too quickly the momentum of the sliding gears would overcome the detents and come out of engagement with the shifter. This makes it impossible to move the gear back into a neutral position but it is possible to wiggle the shifter around enought to shift another gear into position locking up the transmission. Easy to fix though. For refference set the shifter to neutral. Remove the 4 bolts that hold the shifter lever assy to the top of the transmission. Look for the the 2 shifter rod assys to form a pocket that the shifter will fit into. Chances are that one is not in the nutral setting. A long screw driver or such should be able to be used to pry it to the neutral setting. Then carefully reinstall the shifter assy. This happened enough times to me that when I split the tractor to replace the PTO clutch disc that I installed bushings on the shifter rods to limit travel so that they could not travel beyond the detents.
Hello.
I have a Massey Ferguson Tractor ‘Saw Bench’ for sale. What would it be worth?
$50 New Zealand dollars
Any ideas.
Hi Martin,
Sounds like either head gasket blown or a crack in the head. Run it with the radiator cap off and see if there are any bubbles rising in the radiator. If there are bubbles then it will be one of the afforementioned problems; if there are no bubbles then it could just be over-filling of the system. Is the radiator cap seal OK also??
Steve.
i have recently restored a 1958 fordson dexta including a full engine rebuild,valve guides,new liners etc.now when i start the engine the water is coming out via the overflow under the filler cap,i think that the cooling system is becoming pressurised .the engine has been started and run every few weeks for about the last year and this problem has only just started to happen,can anyone help?
hi mr franklin
your dexta is 1963
between 1963 jan and 1963 feb the chassis numbers run 09c -732032 to 900000
the blue and white/grey was 1963 june -09c 916550
I recently purchased a Fordson/Dexta and the # on lip between clutch and motor is 09C732118 which indicates a `63 model. According to tractordata.com the numbers following 09C should commence with 932031 for a 63 model. Does this mean that my tractor may be a `62 even though the prefix starts with 09C? It looks to be very intact with original paint blue and off white. Headlights are in the grill. Any help with correct id would be most appreciated.
I’m rebuilding my Fordson Dexta engine (diesel) and need some info on the cylinder liners. I’ve just removed 3 seized pistons and pressed out the cylinder liners. The question is should I use high temp loctite 620 on the new liners when pressing them in. The older liners presumably didnt use it and are a simple press fit. There liner are not flanged.
Cheers,
Peter.