Serial number question

[MGCA Dave]

I recently bought a UTU with a KEF engine # 449055 on a good engine tag . Could someone tell me what year this would be please . It has no chassis sn plate on tranny . Thanks
 

[Ill John]

serial # starting with 449 show up as 336 engine/ G750, not used. Does it have more #s in front or is it something else? KEF goes from 544001-565985, 1940-1947, used in U tractor.
 

[maj-mm]

that's the older serial numbers (less digits) before the "pre-fix" system was started in 1948.

if the build ledgers show the engine number, & engine hasn't been swapped, it might be possible to ID the Tractor Ser. #. ~ MAJ
 

[molinegb]

As John said all KEC,KEF motor serial # start with 5.
 

[MGCA Dave]

Thanks for the replies . I found in the MM serial # book , page 45 a K.E. 4 1/4" x 5" sn range 375001 to 449999 . repair lstR-739A & R-901
Does this make sence to anyone ? Thanks
 

[maj-mm]

those manuals are for KT & Universal "MT" Series Tractors (Predecessors to the "U" Series) & Engines for said tractors. Apparently your engine is quite old, and re-used, if in a U.
 

[molinegb]

Serial numbers are for KEC motor.
 

[molinegb]

Is serial tag brass? To have a serial number as low as 449 it would have to be pre 1935. Possible motor was out of a KT. Bottom end different and used babbit bearings on KEC,top end the same except HC head on later ones.. KEF used precision bearings but not until 1941,about the same time brass tags were discontinued. Do you have picyture of tag?
 

[MGCA Dave]

Got a picture today . I hope this will help find an answer . Thanks

 

[BMG1]

It almost looks like that first "4" was struck with a different size punch. All KEF serial numbers should be 6 digits long and start with a "5". If your first "4" were actually a "5" it would be a 1943 vintage engine. I think it might be a mistake from the factory and should read 549055. All KE engines started with "37". KEA engines started with a "5". KEC and KED engines started with "54". It does not look like any of the KE family of engines ever started with a "4" in their serial numbers.

Brian