1966 Ford 3000 dash mounting bracket

[TractormanFord]

Hi All,

I am reassembling an old diesel 3000 and Im having a heckuva time getting the dash to lineup. The bracket that was on this tractor appears different than the one that is pictured in the Ford parts manual.

The one in the manual has the sheet melt part welded to the opposite side of the horizontal bar. If I orient mine, that way, the holes on the steering column dont lineup. Also, mine interferes with the throttle linkage. I cant find any pictures of this part online except for one eBay listing. Can anybody help me sort this out? Did someone up fit apart from a different model of Ford at some point in this tractors life? Any help would be appreciated.

In my second photo, you can see me holding the bracket up the way that it was when I disassembled the tractor.

 

[TractormanFord]

The more I think about this, the more it seems like someone may have put sheet metal from one tractor on a different chassis. Here is a picture of my serial number. I think its a 3000 based on my online research. Does this seem like a Frankenstein tractor to you?

 

[Bern]

You don't indicate how far off the holes really are, but if it's close, could the bracket simply be bent? I'm not aware of multiple different options for those on strattle mount tractors.

 

[Sean in PA]

The model number looks like 31013C, which would be a 3000 ag chassis model with a diesel engine, live PTO and an 8 speed transmission. The Serial number is C160450, which is a late 1966 serial number. There are two date codes, 6L15B and 6M16, which decode to November 15 1966 during the day shift, which is most likely when the transmission was assembled, and December 16, 1966, which is most likely when the tractor was assembled.

Those numbers are all stamped into the transmission case, so they only apply to whatever tractor that transmission was in when it left the factory. It could be the original transmission for most of the tractor, and and some other parts have been swapped, or the transmission could have been swapped into a completely different tractor. Things were interchangeable for the most part from 1965 up through at least 1981 on most 3 cylinder models, and even later for some models.

Being a 1966 3000, it should have the earlier style sheet metal with the wrap around lower grill and the louvers on the sides of the hood. Your pictures don't show either of those features, so I can't say whether the sheet metal is original to that transmission or not.

We would need more pictures of the whole tractor as well as the date codes from the other major components to be able to say whether most of that tractor is a 1966 3000, or if it is mostly some other year and/or model, and the transmission has been swapped.

As for that dash mount bracket, my parts book does show a couple of different part numbers, but only one was used by the 3000 ag chassis model. The other part number was for the 4000 ag chassis model with the later power steering setup and the 3400 Utility model only.

 

[Sean in PA]

I looked through the parts site at some later models, and those same two part number were used for the x600 & x610 series as well, so I doubt that it has an incorrect bracket. As Bern said, it is more likely that something is bent from its original shape and that is why things aren't lining up.

You say that you are reassembling the tractor. Did you acquire it already disassembled, or did you disassemble it yourself? If you disassembled it, did things line up prior to disassembly?

 

[shaun wallace]

On my 5000 and 2 4500s its flipped but the 3400 is that way. All these units are after 1/69. UDog talks about low and high tin on these units.

 

[sotxbill]

Looking at a 2000, 2600 and 4000 lcg, the 3 inch flat mounting bracket was on the top side and mounts on the top side of the steering column tab. On a 4600 it appeared to be flipped over but still on the top side of the steering column tab. hth.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Are these the parts you took off of this tractor Or is this a basket case you are putting together?
I dont know if I can help but here is a bit of info.
There were two different cowels used on the 3 cylinder Fords from 1965 1983 and maybe beyond. High tin and low tin.
Most ag models were low tin.
High tin cowels were used on Some very early 3000s, 3400s and I think? the 4400s and all the 3 cylinder industrials.
Measure from the bottom of your throttle to the cowel as shown. This is my low tin 3000. It measures about 3 1/2in. A high tin will measure about 1 3/4in there.

There were also 3 types of those rear brackets used.
One for high tin. One for low tin and one for the 4000/4600s that had integral power steering.
There may have been other variations but I only know the above for certain.
I have this bracket I was going to scrap.
I do not know what it fits except it does NOT fit my low tin tractor.
If you are willing to gamble the price of shipping it's yours.
Measure yours as shown.
The upper hole measures 3 9/16in to center.
Lower hole is 3 1/16in to center.
My email is always open.

PS, My new paint looks ok for having done it with a brush.

 

[TractormanFord]

Thank you all very much! This forum is and incredible wealth of knowledge.

To give some more background, this tractor has belonged to my glider club for many years. It was suffering from the classic power steering shaft leak, so I tore it down. I believe it has been gone through several times over the years, as many bolts and other parts were missing, such as the bolts we are discussing which attach the dash bracket to the steering column. Now that I am trying to assemble it properly, these issues are coming to light. I'll grab more photos of the other major component's serial numbers. I'm wondering if this may be a Frankenstein.

 

[TractormanFord]

Thanks for taking these measurements! Your bracket looks more like the one depicted in the parts book. Let me do some more digging. I just may be giving you an email about shipping that. I appreciate the offer!

P.S. that paint does look darn good

 

[TractormanFord]

The holes on the steering column are about 1/3 of a hole's diameter off when I push the dash to be concentric with the steering column. After looking closely at my bracket, it appears that the sheet metal L bracket is welded on slightly to one side. The bracket doesn't have any obvious bends or welds, and I can see all the original Ford paint and red primer. However, I'm still suspicious of this part.