Casting Codes

Amatt NWOH · May 18, 2009

There are always a lot of serial number and casting code questions and answers on these forums, but I am unclear on how my FMD fits.

The engine serial number puts it as 315th engine built for FMDs. The casting code in the block is A4T. If Z = 1956, then T would equal 1950. Would they have cast the block that many years prior to production of the model? Or maybe they skipped a letter or two?

Thanks.

P.S. To Dandy Dave: I was going to take a picture of the horn bracket on my running and parts/spares FMDs, but I mowed over my digital camera (oops) and have yet to replace it, stupid John Deere lawn tractor!

KFD68 · May 18, 2009

A4T would be January 4th 1952.
The first serial number Major was 1217104 - what is your serial number?
Ford used a different set of code numbers for the Diesel Major to the E27N to avoid conusion, hence 1952 was T.
Can you post some pictures, your tractor would have some very interesting features as one of the first builds.
Where are you situated? If not in England then I am amazed that one of the very first tractors off the line was shipped abroad

tiresntracks · May 19, 2009

According to the information I have, T=1952 for E1A Majors and E27N Majors. Fordson skipped some letters in their casting code sequence. T='52, U='53' V='54, X='55 and Z='56. Also there were supposedly 3 E1A Majors built in 1951, 1217101 through 1217103. Those should have had S year codes.

Dandy Dave · May 19, 2009

P.S. To Dandy Dave: I was going to take a picture of the horn bracket on my running and parts/spares FMDs, but I mowed over my digital camera (oops) and have yet to replace it, stupid John Deere lawn tractor!

:shock: Oooohhhhh, I hates them camera eatin lawn mowers :evil: .....

..... :wink: Dandy Dave!

Amatt NWOH · May 19, 2009

It is just the engine that is so early. The engine serial number is 1217416, while the tag on the asbestos firewall is 1357278. So I assume (with previous input from this forum) that the engine was at some time replaced.

I am near Swanton, Ohio, USA. I have an inkling that this tractor was first imported to Canada as it has a horn, handbrake, and 36" rear wheels (I thought only 14x30" and 11x38" rears were available in the States).

The only noteworthy feature that I can I dentify is the curved exaust that required a hole to be cut in the hood/bonnet. No pictures available as they were lost in perpetuity thanks to my carelessness. It does have the electrical oil pressure safety switch that I thought should only have been installed on gasoline/petrol versions.

So if T=1952, what is 1953, 1954, and 1955? Are they U, V, and W counting forward from T=1952? Or are they W, X, and Y counting backwards from Z=1956? Some logic puzzle!

Amatt NWOH · May 19, 2009

Hey thanks, tires n tracks. Good timing!

Amatt NWOH · May 19, 2009

(quoted from post at 12:46:22 05/19/09) Hey thanks, tires n tracks. Good timing!

Oops, I should have read your response before I asked more questions. You answered my question before I asked it!

Casting Codes

Amatt NWOH

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KFD68

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tiresntracks

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Dandy Dave

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Amatt NWOH

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Amatt NWOH

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Amatt NWOH

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