Identify Ford 640 versus Ford 641

bobs641

New User
I have just purchased what I think is a Ford 641 tractor. The serial number is beneath so many coats of paint that I can't read it. I'm hoping that there might be some identifying features that someone can point out to help me with this.

The tractor was "sort of" reconditioned, and has new "workmaster 641" decals on the hood, but I guess these could be put on any tractor. It is a four speed transmission. It has an over-running clutch on the PTO, so I'm guessing this must mean that it is a non-live (single stage clutch?) PTO.

I purchased a carb rebuild kit for a 641, and it appears that the new jets match up with the carb I have.

I would surely appreciate any help with this.

Thanks!
 
Paint is diffenent (of course yours may have been repainted). This is a 601.
129_2901.jpg

Emergency brake is different.
parkingbrake1-1.jpg
 

Hi Bob! Welcome! There were some telltale differences when the 640 and 641 tractors were new. After 50 plus years it's hard to tell how they've been amended. In the beginning the 640's tin would all have been grey, whereas the 641's hood would have been red. The 41's fenders and grill were grey.

The 640 would have had an ammeter where the 641 would have had an idiot lite for the charging system and a fuel gauge.

The 640 would have had fenders that swept out over the top of the tires, whereas the 641 would have had clamshell fenders that only shielded the inside of the tires.

Other than that some production date codes may pin it down. However, the best way would be to get through the paint and read the model and serial number.

You are correct onthe PTO. None of the 4 speed models had live PTO in that era.
 

Wow! Thanks for the quick response from all of you!

Vito - the hood emblem does say 600.

HCooke - The 601 you show looks almost identical to mine - but the color scheme has been slightly changed. The brake locking scheme looks familiar, but I'll have to look again.

Larry NCKS - I think some of the gauges have been swapped, so I'm not sure they are original. It appears that there is a red warning light on the lower right of the dash board. My tractor has been converted to a 3-wire alternator, but only wired a a single-wire alternator. I'll be fixing that! Also, the rear fenders are like clamshells.

Thanks!!!
 
The 6 on the series number tell you it has a 134 engine. The 4 in it says it is a 4 speed nonlive PTO and the 0 or 1 says what years it was made as in 1955-57 for to 0 and 58-62 for the 1.
The carb kit for either 600 or 601 series is the same since the kits are pretty much by carb size not carb number as in the M/S carbs came in 4 sizes small medium large and extra large
 
Where's Jim UT?
He's the expert on these esoteric differences between models.
I'm not as familiar with the Hundreds like some guys here but wasn't the clutch and brake linkage changed on the left side? Such that the step plates are different too?
Also the 01 dash tin would likely have been stamped with the dimple for the SOS pto handle.
At least on the later ones.
And the block plate between the tranny and engine would be a different thickness that was easily recognizable.
 

Thanks old!

I'm still looking for definitive information Marvel/Schebler carbs. I think the 641 is supposed to be the TSX765. The version on my tractor appears to have an adjustable main jet - a large thumbscrew on the top of the carb and towards the front of the tractor. I have the carb off the tractor, but can't find any model number on it. I see references to brass tags, but don't find one on this carb. Is this typical?

Thanks!
 
All of the M/S carbs for the fords had adjustable main jets. Going by a catalog I have they say the carb can be one of a few as in TSX765 for the 600 or the TSX692 which is for the 600, 601, 700, 701, 2000, and the 4000. also the TSX500 for the 600/700 and also for the same 2 the TSX580. All of which use the same carb kit number and by the way there is also a few other TSX carbs listed with the same kit number.
 
slotted or smooth rear hubs?

later will be slotted.

checked engine date code?

dash gauge layout?

running baords?
 
Old: Thanks for the info on the carbs!

Soundguy: I will look into your suggestions. Thanks!

This is a great source of information. Thanks for the help.

I had originally started looking for an 8N, just because that is what I always saw for sale. A friend, who is a part-time farmer, mentioned the Hundred series tractors and suggested I check them out. They seem like an improvement over the 8N, and I have been quite surprised with the availability of parts. I'm learning about the tractors, and the help I gotten here will certainly help!

It is actually kind of fun to work on engines with the same features as those I had when I was a teenager. I don't own a car anymore that uses points and a distributor!

Thanks!
 
Ya just think if and when we get hit by an EMP pulse the tractor will still run but your car will pretty much be a piece of scrap iron LOL
 
Old: Let's hope we never have to find out - but you are probably right!

Ultradog MN: Thanks for your comments - I'm researching them now.

Soundguy: I'm working through your suggestions as well. I have looked for the engine block date code, but can't seem to find anything but what I think is the part number for the bare block. Could you please tell me where it would be located?

Thanks!
 
Easiest way to determine 600 or 601 is the brake cross shaft from the left brake pedal. The 600 brake shaft goes thru the transmission housing up front. The 601 brake cross shaft goes thru 2 cast loops under the rear end housing.
 
John Smith8N:

Thanks for the info. When it stops raining here in Myrtle Beach, I'll go have a look.

I think that I have found the engine date code on the block just below the alternator. It seems to me to be 8A G followed at some distance with the number 2. The 8A2 part seems to decode as Jan 7th, 1958, if I read the explanation correctly. Not sure what the 2 means. I'm guessing that this means my tractor is a 1958 model, so most likely a 641!

Thanks!
 
8AG translates to 1958, November, 7th. Before you ask: yes, A is November. 1 through 0 are January through October, A is November and B is December.
The numeral 2 is some other unknown identifier. I don't think those of us who pay attention to these details have ever seen anything other than a 2 in that location. Over on the right side of the block you should find a raised casting number 310905 which is a 134 cu in block. The 172 cu in block as used in the 801/901 tractors has the casting number 310609.
Your tractor should have the left brake cross shaft that passes under the hydraulic reservoir as John Smith stated.
 
Hey Bob,
Welcome to a fellow South Carolinian. I live in Charleston. There is a wealth of knowledge on this forum. They have helped me with a number of projects.Remember, A picture is worth a thousand lines of description and tackle one thing at a time. I have some bits and pieces if you need anything. My email is always open. It is still raining here.
Ron
 
John Smith8N:

I was able to look at the rear brake arrangement. The shaft goes through the two loops, as you described. Apparently it is a 641.

Thanks!
 
Texas!:

Thanks for correcting my mistake! 1958 was, I guess, the most important part. At least I got that right!

The 6 digit part number on the block seems to indicate the 134 cu. in. engine.

RBnSC:

I actually live in Conway, one town inland from Myrtle Beach, but few people outside of SC would know the name. Thanks for your support!

Thanks to everyone that has helped with this!
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top