Is it Really a 65

The number 2932817 is stamped on the left hand side and high rear of the engine block. Below this are stamped the letters CL. These letters are a couple of inches below the stamped number and don't appear to relate to it. The word BILCHROME and numbers 0280095J and D302 are cast onto the left of the engine block. The engine model numbers, such as AD4-203, don't appear anywhere so I can't determine if it really is a Perkins - it is a 4 cylinder diesel.
The registry pages of this site list both 65 and MF-65 tractors. When manufacture dates and numbers in these lists are compared there doesn't seem to be any logical sequence. As well, when checking other sites, their seems to be some conflict in dates/serial numbers of 65/MF65/MF65(765) tractors.
Could somebody out there please help me identify what I've really got.

The 65 serial number/letter codes C=Hi clearance, N=diesel. The third letter in my parts book is M(dual clutch), F(single clutch) or W(Multipower. The fourth letter Y represents differential lock on the 35's and presumably 65's, but isn't shown in my parts book.

Codes show a D in the second letter representing direct injection diesel. The english may have used both N and D together.

Your engine serial number falls in references for the Perkins AD4-203 direct injection diesel parts listings. (Injector tops will be slanted outward a bit, away from the tractor centerline. The earlier A4-203 (regular injection) had vertical injectors. It's a strong probability yours is the AD4-203.

The 765 also had a 192 and 212 engine option, and I don't know them from Adam!

Our 1960 CNM678811 has the regular injection engine, number 2819989. About 1964, (sometime after 296####) they started replacing the engine number with 29A####. Your number 293#### is closer to the '64 shift-over number. Probably 1963.

Please address me as Sherlock.....

I'm still not sure what the MF-765 on the data plate means although I've found what appears to be a UK web site,www.fofh.u-net.com, which lists the 'MF 65(765)' Maybe it's a designation relative only to British manufacture.

I appreciate your reference to the prefix codes in the serial numbers. I had no idea such a system existed. As you point out mine actually is Hi clearance, diesel, direct injection(I think), with a differential lock and a dual clutch - thus the CNDY but no M.

The book states "Engine:Made by Perkins to MF specifications"(no specific model listed), "Engine Type:Compression ignition, direct injection, toroidal cavity in piston crown" and "Cubic Capacity: 203.5 cu. in. (3335c.c.)". I don't really know if this is fitted to my tractor. The UK web site notes the AD4-203 fitted to the MF65(765) from 1960 to 1965 but lists no engine numbers.

As you suggested my injector tops do slant outwards a bit so it looks like we might have the engine right and if the engine numbering is similar in both countries it would put it in the 1963/64 ballpark along with the UK serial number (maybe I'm rationalising a bit here).

Again, on the UK site, the tractor serial numbers/year of manufacture are listed as starting at 500001 in 1958, increasing by about 10000 per annum until 1961 then each year by approx. 20000 to the end of 1964 with the last number at 614024. If correct for my tractor it would put it early 1964 but would suggest a different numbering system between the USA And UK as 1960 is given as 520569 - 533179. Your S/N 678811 is of course listed as 1960 on this ytmag.com site.

A few questions still remain but hopefully they'll be resolved. Thanks again for sharing what you know. The Brits on the other hand seem a bit coy with free and open discussion on their site.

Regards,

Eric