Low 8n serial number

Hi, My tractor friend just purchased an 8N in pretty good shape. Its serial number 365. Has lots of surface rust but has potential. Is that early serial number a
big deal. Would it need to be lower number to be significant. Mark

Two days ago you asked the same question, and one our our most knowledgeable members answered it.

Did you miss the answer to this question ?
75 Tips

Its interesting, but probably not worth any more than your typical '47-'48 8N.

The reason folks are drawn to, and attach such value to the early 9Ns is because they were definitely a work-in-progress that rather quickly went through several significant changes right from the get-go. Having an early 9N with all the unique early parts present can set it apart from another Ford tractor that may only be separated by a few serial numbers, or a few days production as they made changes and improvements on-the-fly. The earliest 9Ns with their cast aluminum hoods, grilles and doglegs, with their smooth hubs, 4 spoke steering wheels, push button dashes and minimalist generators didnt last very long before it all got revamped and upgraded.

In contrast, by the time the 8N rolled out, they pretty much had gotten the swing of it and there is little difference between an early 8n and the later ones, until 1950, so there isnt as much minutia for collectors to obsess and argue over!

Thanks much warbaby, Interesting comments much appreciated. Nobody responded when I listed it in the Ford Forum except for the one helpful member who suggested I list it in the 9n,2n,8n forum which is what I was doing here and with your help it worked. Mark

You posted the same question on this forum on the 19th. Both Kirk and LB responded.
75 Tips

Well, yes, as Bruce(VA) mentioned, there were a few replies from your previous post on 9/19 below. I sent you a private email too - did you not receive it? It has the entire story and is too long to post here so all the info was in the em. WB has some good points, but, as I said in my em, TWO important features to inspect. First is to confirm you are looking in the right place for the serial number. It is on a cast boss below the head and behind the oil filter housing. ALL FORDS, the N Tractors included with the front mount distributor would have the STAR SYMBOL prefix and suffix stamped with the s/n. There also an engine block casting Date Code ID Tag on the starter pocket.

My opinion: S/N #1 and all early ones, ten or more, were used in testing on actual FORD FARMS and are long gone. All units were dismantled and parts studied thru destructive testing. This was told to me by Mr. Harold Brock in 2006 per our conversation. IMHO, any early 8N s/n from '47 & '48 with a 5-digit or less s/n is worth restoring to all original. The early 8Ns had features that were obsolete by '49 and after. By April, 1950 many major changes were then made - side mount distributor, steering gear, new generator, to name some.

FORD ENGINE BLOCK SERIAL NUMBER HAND STAMPS:

FORD N-SERIES TRACTOR ENGINE BLOCK SERIAL NUMBER LOCATION:

EARLY 8N ENGINE CASTING DATE CODE BOSS, SEPTEMBER 16, 1947:




Tim Daley(MI)