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Fordson major mismatched serial numbers

A

Amatt NWOH

Member
I bought a Fordson Major Diesel this weekend at an auction, they don't come up for sale often here in Northwest Ohio, USA.

The serial number on the flange near the starter is 1217416, while the number stamped in the tag on the firewall is 1357278. Am I correct in assuming that the original engine in this tractor was likely replaced with an engine from an early Major and that is why the numbers do not match?

And, is the 1217416 number on the engine mean that it was the 315th engine made?

I read a lot of previous posts, but didn't see any mention mismatched numbers unless the engine number had an "S" in it.
Thank you.
r4775.jpg
 
With a tractor of that age a miss match is not unusual. The back end would appear to have been produced in Feb 1952 so your Q about being 315th could be correct( I think it is). Someone at some stage has just put a diferent engine on it. S #nos were put on with a factory built exchange unit but of course I you just wanted a better engine who would know. I've done it quite often with cars, motor bikes and tractors. MTF
 
I think you've got it backwards, Mike. The serial number on the tractor is a 1955 number. The engine number is a 1952 number, and it would be the 316 th engine. The numbers should match if they are factory original. Ford numbered the engines, and then transferred the number to the chassis at final assembly.
At some point many years later, someone probably bought a good engine block from a salvage yard and installed it in the later tractor. Quite often that meant the original engine had a broken block, probably from a thrown rod, but possibly from freezing.
 
You are absolutely right. Call it an age thing and I hope thats the most serious mistake I make in the next couple of days. take care and enjoy. MTF
 
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