We still have a 454 from new.had a 784 from mid eighties to early nineties.
I can't see how anyone could compare them to a 135 or 148, having fifty percent more hp and much bigger
My father always liked them for comfort, again not comparable to them Masseys,a reliable but v.basic tractor
the ih had side gears and a decent sound proofed cab.the kick able spool valve was a serious pain alright.
My father drove a half hour journey with it pulled which blew the hydraulic pump,a right pain to change that too
Mechanically,they weren't very reliable.
Bursting steel hydraulic pipes under the cab was a regular occurrence which involved taking the seat out among other things,not fun either.
The fiat 880 5cyl that replaced it was three times the tractor in power ,ability and reliability