Super m C281

dgoodman2

Member
You just never know what you have on the surface. Barnyard you threw me for a loop on previous post with not my original engine because I had a dipstick on Super M. So yea went and looked and it is stamped C281. Serial # 2489. Manufact. Date 1 14 C. If someone can remind me what date that is. I don't remember letter codes.
So now what HP is my engine likely to be and how does it differ from the stock Super M Engine.

Thanks Guys. This may get as interesting as Discovering my Super A had a "A" block that someone with lots of craftsmanship brazed in the cast housing that holds hydraulic pump. In use for 40 years and never knew until rebuild.

So really what have I got in this C281 and would it have come out of another tractor or just a replacement.
a244749.jpg
 
Jan-14-57. It came out of a 450 model, still has part of the hydraulic tube support on the oil filter base bolt. If no letters after the engine serial number it would have a gas head. If still there and good shape it should have what power a 450 did or more depending what's been done. If a complete C281 engine the head, camshaft, connecting rod small end size, cam gear, valve cover, front pulley with 5 timing notches, drilled for dipstick and a few small other things. If the 450 carburetor is on it will have the idle mixture screw at top of carburetor near manifold and no slotted nut on bottom to retain discharge jet. Original manifold would have three ribs at junction of runners. SM originally didn't have the ribs but later manifold was a replacement part for a SM gasoline engine.
 
According to how I read Guy Fay's Originality Guide, Model M entered into production in 1939. Serial number for a straight ordinary Model M #2489 means a build date of 1939. However serial number #2489 for a Super M means 1952, built at the Farmall Plant. However 1-14-C corresponds to January 14, 1957 according to Fay's Originality Guide. Can you find a few more other cast-in-place letter-number combo's? Rear axle trumpet housings? Transmission castings?
 
According to how I read the Originality Guide, Model M entered into production in 1939. Serial number for a Model M #2489 means a build date of 1939. However serial number #2489 for a Super M means 1952, built at the Farmall Plant. However 1-14-C corresponds to January 14, 1957 according to Fay's Originality Guide. Can you find a few more other cast-in-place letter-number combo's? Rear axle trumpet housings? Transmission castings?
 
Model M entered into production in 1939. Serial number for a Model M #2489 means a build date of 1939. However serial number #2489 for a Super M means 1952, built at the Farmall Plant. However 1-14-C corresponds to January 14, 1957 according to Fay's Originality Guide. Can you find other cast-in-place letter-number combo's? Rear axle trumpet housings? Transmission castings?
 
Your 'stock' M engine is 248,Super M/400 is 264. 450 is 281.The valves are different (bigger).RPM is the same(I think) A 'stock' M was rated at 38 horse. A 450 was in the high 40s/low 50s. My super M with oversize sleeves/pistons(281 now) is putting out about 60.I 'tweaked' the governor a bit to get a 1550 or 1600 rpm.Before I get slammed,It's been that way for over 30 years with no adverse effects. With a desperately needed tune up,it will probably do better.
 
Wow. That's lots of great info. I'm excited. Not only does it run perfect but I have more than I thought I did. I wondered what purpose was of that piece on oil filter. Makes sense now. I'll look at head, intake and carb. Probably post back here. I'd like to know for sure what pieces I have.

Thanks.
 
Manifold was original to a SM and late M. Carburetor castings are the SM type. Head is for a 400 or 450 gas engine and part of the 400 LP before they started with the small combustion camber LP heads. If you find a date code on head it may be later than the engine block.
 
(quoted from post at 17:11:22 12/06/16) Model M entered into production in 1939. Serial number for a Model M #2489 means a build date of 1939. However serial number #2489 for a Super M means 1952, built at the Farmall Plant. However 1-14-C corresponds to January 14, 1957 according to Fay's Originality Guide. Can you find other cast-in-place letter-number combo's? Rear axle trumpet housings? Transmission castings?

#2489 for a 450 means a build date of 1957, too.

At some point in this tractor's life, someone transplanted a C281 from a 450 into this Super M. Could be because the Super M's engine was simply worn out, or had a cracked block, or threw a rod... Regardless the C281 was available and a much less expensive option than rebuilding/repairing the C264 out of the Super M, so they put it in.
 
I had a Louisville SM that had the 281, the original motor was beyond repair so he replaced it with a good salvage engine from a 450.
 

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