Help with identification

Hello all...quick question..first..thanks to all the guys that jumped in on my last post about what to look for in a tractor...i took a look today at one that im interested in and wanted to try and determine exactly what it is..forgive my relative ignorance of these particular tractors..im new to this and on the learning curve..here it what i found..on the id plaque it says Standard motor corp..the serial number is TE 29306..i think its a 1948 TE20 with the standard engine...its a bit rough but it started right up...one thing puzzled me..on the bell housing about 2 to 3 inches back on the right had side as you sit on the tractor there is a hole...it was covered in what appeared to be some type of putty..the hole looked like some type of inspection port..i was a little higher than mid way up on the housing..the current owner said it was there when he bought the tractor 10 years ago..but i cant be sure..is that part of the design by chance or something that was done later by a previous owner. Sorry for the long post and sorry for my lack of knowledge..like i said before just starting out and any help is greatly appreciated!!

that is an inspection hole so you can see timing marks on the flywheel, when you are using a timing lite or whatever method of timing one may use. previous owner must have lost the little cover.

(quoted from post at 11:38:11 04/01/10) that is an inspection hole so you can see timing marks on the flywheel, when you are using a timing lite or whatever method of timing one may use. previous owner must have lost the little cover.

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Thanks for the response...makes perfect sense...i know this is a tough question to answer but what do you guess a fair price would be for a rough but mostly operational 48 TE20? the tin is rough..lights and temp gauge are not operational..has a small oil leak..best guess is rear main seal..it clearly needs some TLC...thanks!!

TE 29306 is a 1948 TE20 but I'm not convinced that serial number will have a Standard engine. All UK built Ferguson tractors were built at the Standard Motor Company in Coventry. Confirm it has an an oil filter on the left side of the engine and the engine serial number stamped into the block between the coil and oil filler?


(That tractor may have a vertical oil filter.)



I didn't think there was a timing mark inspection hole on the right side of the bell housing - there certainly isn't on later TEA20's - but I may be wrong on early tractors? The only inspection panel I'm aware of on later tractors is in the transmission, right side below the seat, with transmission oil dip stick, see photo:


(The vertical numbers are the casting date. "6 7 3" = 6 July 1953.)

But if it does have a Standard engine, you may be onto a good tractor - at the right price!

...what do you guess a fair price would be for a rough but mostly operational 48 TE20? the tin is rough..lights and temp gauge are not operational..has a small oil leak..best guess is rear main seal..it clearly needs some TLC

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I don't know US prices and judging from posts on this forum, prices seem to vary across the US. I'd start at $500 and see where that goes? If the starting price is $1,500 or higher the owner is probably dreaming.

Bob in Oz

Vinny, he said that hole was on the right hand side of the bell housing. I don't think that is a timing hole, is it possible someone had a hi-lo transmission in there at one time and someone took it out and covered the hole with putty?

thanks a million guys..here is the hole in question

Thanks Bob...will confirm and reply as soon as possible..i cant thank you guys enough for sharing all of your knowledge.

Bob....from the current owner...The oil filter is inside the oil pan. There is a large plug on the bottom of the oil pan and when you remove it a large filter slides out. There is also a oil filled air filter on the right side of the tractor.

so not a Standard??

"The oil filter is inside the oil pan..."

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As I thought, your Serial Number appeared too early for a Standard engine TEA20 tractor.

That is a Ferguson TE20 with US made Continental Z120 engine, tractor built by the Standard Motor Company at Coventry, UK. It does not have a Standard engine.

I can't help you with the Continental engine Ferguson tractor - I've never seen one! :lol: (None ever came to Australia that I am aware of.)

Your biggest issue is whether the engine block is cracked, apparently a common fault with the Continental engines (and with their aircraft engines!) The other guys here will need to guide you but I guess you may get some indication by dropping the sump/oil pan plug and see what comes out first, oil or water.

The....

oil filled air filter on the right side of the tractor

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is common to all Ferguson TE (Tractor England) and US built TO (Tractor Overseas) tractors.


Can't see from the small photo where that "hole" is - is it in the engine block or bell housing? It appears to be in the engine block and I guess may be a timing hole; I don't know the Z120 engine.

(quoted from post at 19:52:27 04/01/10)

"The oil filter is inside the oil pan..."

Click to expand...

As I thought, your Serial Number appeared too early for a Standard engine TEA20 tractor.

That is a Ferguson TE20 with US made Continental Z120 engine, tractor built by the Standard Motor Company at Coventry, UK. It does not have a Standard engine.

I can't help you with the Continental engine Ferguson tractor - I've never seen one! :lol: (None ever came to Australia that I am aware of.)

Your biggest issue is whether the engine block is cracked, apparently a common fault with the Continental engines (and with their aircraft engines!) The other guys here will need to guide you but I guess you may get some indication by dropping the sump/oil pan plug and see what comes out first, oil or water.

The....

oil filled air filter on the right side of the tractor

Click to expand...

is common to all Ferguson TE (Tractor England) and US built TO (Tractor Overseas) tractors.


Can't see from the small photo where that "hole" is - is it in the engine block or bell housing? It appears to be in the engine block and I guess may be a timing hole; I don't know the Z120 engine.

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THANKS!! the hole is on the bell housing.

I know I am late to the party,

But you have a TE-20 with the Contenential Motor. They were bbuilt but the Std. Motor company but did not have the Std. motor.

Here is a picture of the two engines.

Price for a rouch shape runner outside range $800 to $1500 based on condition and location. Inside range $1000-$1400.