Serial numbers 8N

michehembr · Oct 22, 2018

Hello all,
I am new to this forum and to these old tractors. Can some one please tell me if there is another spot other than the motor block where the serial number for the tractor can be found? I bought a 8n yesterday and the serial numbers on the block are non legible, of course to cover myself before buying this I had the seller list that the serial number is not legible or can not be found. Any way just wanted to know if anyone else knows of a place where these may be.
Thank you,
Mike

TheOldHokie · Oct 22, 2018

(quoted from post at 07:28:18 10/22/18) Hello all,
I am new to this forum and to these old tractors. Can some one please tell me if there is another spot other than the motor block where the serial number for the tractor can be found? I bought a 8n yesterday and the serial numbers on the block are non legible, of course to cover myself before buying this I had the seller list that the serial number is not legible or can not be found. Any way just wanted to know if anyone else knows of a place where these may be.
Thank you,
Mike

The engine serial number is the "definitive" identifier for the tractor model year and date of production. There are other casting/manufacturing codes spread across other parts of the tractor that can be used to further identify dates and place of manufacture. Too many to discuss here.

From the tone of your question it appears you are concerned about proving ownership/title to the machine. You have little to worry about in that regard. There are no governmental registries of serial numbers proving ownership for these old tractors and possession is pretty much iron clad proof of ownership. These are 75 year old machines made over a span of a decade plus and most of the parts interchange. Engine, transmission, rear end swaps are common and are commonly swapped making serial numbers pretty much meaningless for "titling" purposes.

On the other hand, if you are interested in identifying exact model and date of manufacture research the casting codes but again, part swapping is common and the presence or absence of a particular code on any given tractor should be considerd at best a hint and not iron clad proof of ancestry.

TOH

michehembr · Oct 22, 2018

Thank you for the information. Yes I was worried a bout ownership. I know these are old but I have a friend that sent me to this site as it is what he uses.

Thanks again,
Mike

Bruce (VA) · Oct 22, 2018

This page has a lot of information for N tractor owners; check out the ID info to get the year of both your engine and the rest of the tractor.

https://fordtractorcollectors.com/fordson/tractor-id-history/
75 Tips

HFJ · Oct 22, 2018

(quoted from post at 08:28:18 10/22/18) I bought a 8n yesterday and the serial numbers on the block are non legible

welcome to YT, mike

have u tried cleaning that area up some? my serial number was invisible until i took a wire wheel to it. since the number matched up well with other clues, i'm confident i have a 47 2N.

i know some say that u shouldn't use a wire wheel because of the risk of obliterating the numbers permanently. i can't remember what less invasive methods have been suggested, but i'm sure others can chime in on that one.

but, as TOH said, if your only concern is proof of ownership, rest easy

Tim PloughNman Daley RIP · Oct 22, 2018

Try John Smith's archived site & page "Tractor ID/HISTORY" if you need to be specific. Date codes on the bottom of hydraulic pump, but those too got swapped out. Like stated, no need to worry about licensing and such, just take a lot of detailed pictures for insurance purposes -it is covered on your homeowners policy. Serial numbers were hand stamped on ALL FORD engine blocks, not just tractors, AFTER they passed a QC break-in test period. S/N's only ID the block and not necessarily the entire tractor since many engines got swapped out with others. Look on the starter pocket. Early blocks used a date code cast there. The code is defined as: Letter A- L, for month with January being letter 'A'. Next is a one or two digit numeral, 1 thru 31, for DAY of month block was cast. lastly, is a single digit defining year. An example of a date code is: "I167", defined as September 16, 1947 as is my own early '48 8N. Date codes were NOT hand stamped. They were made on a tag placed right on the casting pocket in raised numbers and letters. Hand stamped means often weak or poorly stamped characters. I had to use MAGNA-FLUX and a black light on my s/n boss. Now, all this being said, s/n's are not all that important really, unless you have an early 9N or early 8N that will be restored to all original. What you need to know is, A) 3 speed or 4 speed transmission; B) Front Mount or Side Mount distributor, and C) POSITION CONTROL and DRAFT CONTROL or just draft control.

Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)

Kirk-NJ · Oct 23, 2018

Although the photo is from a 2n, if you look behind the starter there should be an embossed 8N and then a production tag below much like the one on the 2n 1206
would be Jan 20, 1946. Doing some math should get you in the ballpark as far as a serial number range. Since you can't read your number check under the battery
box there might be a tag under there. It could have been replaced with an industrial engine. Not uncommon to find many parts switched out on these old tractors
over the years.
<a href="https://imgur.com/ZFfR1as">

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michehembr · Oct 28, 2018

Thank you that was some good information. I'll be checking on that as far as the transmission its a 3 speed, the distributor is on the left side, and I don't have a clue what the draft control and position control are. That gives me some more stuff to research.

Royse · Oct 28, 2018

"its a 3 speed, the distributor is on the left side"

That would not be an 8N. Not likely a Ford unless you
mean left side when viewed from the front of the tractor.
Do you have a picture? I'm sure we can help ID it.

michehembr · Oct 29, 2018

(quoted from post at 18:58:32 10/28/18) Thank you that was some good information. I'll be checking on that as far as the transmission its a 3 speed, the distributor is on the left side, and I don't have a clue what the draft control and position control are. That gives me some more stuff to research.

michehembr · Oct 29, 2018

Sorry the distributor is in the front I have posted some pics hope they help

HFJ · Oct 29, 2018

3 speed + front distributor = 2N. the oval radius rods mean later in the model run, not earlier - assuming they haven't been swapped out.

look at your rear axle housings aka trumpets. is there a date cast into the forward faces of them?

michehembr · Oct 29, 2018

(quoted from post at 14:04:19 10/29/18)
3 speed + front distributor = 2N. the oval radius rods mean later in the model run, not earlier - assuming they haven't been swapped out.

look at your rear axle housings aka trumpets. is there a date cast into the forward faces of them?

So are you saying that this may actually be a 2N and not an 8N as my bill of sale says 8N not sure what all that means but I will look for any numbers that might be on the rear housing.

TheOldHokie · Oct 29, 2018

(quoted from post at 13:36:35 10/29/18)

(quoted from post at 18:58:32 10/28/18) Thank you that was some good information. I'll be checking on that as far as the transmission its a 3 speed, the distributor is on the left side, and I don't have a clue what the draft control and position control are. That gives me some more stuff to research.

Click to expand...

Ford 2N or 9N - e.g. pre 1948

TOH

Serial numbers 8N

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