White 2-78-15 backhoe with a 232 or 283? Oliver 1550 motor?

Hauled home a basket case that ran when parked several years ago until it seized from sitting. Think that water came in through exhaust flap. Engine removed and block is soaking in diesel as several pistons are rusted to the sleeve. Head was taken to the shop for MAg test and has cracks in several places. Shop called me and said I might want to find another head before pressure testing. So now the fun and confusion has began with finding another head. I thought from reading other forums online that this white 2-78-15 had a 283 Waukesha. The head casted number is 186402k possibly 188402k. I tractor shop said the head #s lead them to a 232 Waukesha diesel on a 1550 Oliver . So now I am puzzled on what to do.
1. Does 232 head fit on 283. Could been swapped before
2. Motor block has 3 sets of numbers casted
185320
160918A
5223
Will need sleeves pistons rings. Unless lucky and the pistons come loose and can get away with rings and bearings. So any idea on these numbers what motor I am buying for?
3. Have read few post of cracked heads that tested good. Sounds wrong but perhaps fixing this one is a reality with a hard to find part.
Any help on this appreciated.

   You didn"t state if it is a gas or diesel.  The three numbers that you listed are: 185320 is the Waukesha number for a bare casting.  160918A is the Oliver part number for the casting.  5223 is the date (May 22, 1973)that the casting was poured in Charles City.

   160918A is the crankcase for a 1550/1555 used both in a gas or diesel engine.  Head gasket is different for a gas vs diesel.  If this was a 1973 diesel, a 1555 engine will be a La Nova cell type and a 1655 would be a pencil type cylinder head.

   A 2-78-15 hoe had a (1650/1655 depending when it was built) engine as it left the factory.   Apparently an 1555 engine has been installed in place of the larger engine.   Your engine is a either gas or diesel is a 232 Cu in engine unless overbore sleeves and pistons have been installed.

(quoted from post at 15:40:37 04/10/14)    You didn"t state if it is a gas or diesel.  The three numbers that you listed are: 185320 is the Waukesha number for a bare casting.  160918A is the Oliver part number for the casting.  5223 is the date (May 22, 1973)that the casting was poured in Charles City.

   160918A is the crankcase for a 1550/1555 used both in a gas or diesel engine.  Head gasket is different for a gas vs diesel.  If this was a 1973 diesel, a 1555 engine will be a La Nova cell type and a 1655 would be a pencil type cylinder head.

   A 2-78-15 hoe had a (1650/1655 depending when it was built) engine as it left the factory.   Apparently an 1555 engine has been installed in place of the larger engine.   Your engine is a either gas or diesel is a 232 Cu in engine unless overbore sleeves and pistons have been installed.

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thank you for the information. This is a diesel. Thought I posted pictures but not sure if they show. Strange if it was repowered with less hp. I ordered a service manual for a 2-78 so sadly its worthless if I have 232 instead of 238. Shoot maybe this is a 2-63 mighty hoe and not the 2-78.

Looks like I have a 2-63 Found the tag. Disagrees with the 2-78 decals. :roll: