'47 tea engine casting letter

[Ben in oz]

Embarking on the next project, a 1947 tea 20. My question is what does the letter K cast on the side of the block , below the manifold refer to.
Thanks
Ben

 

[John(UK)]

It is to do with the casting process and manufacturer of the Block, nothing that you need to bother about. Basically all blocks are the same but they do have some variations, like some have water Pumps on the Block and later ones don't. The Starter hole is a different size on 6 volt types and 12 volt types. There are 80mm bore types and 85 mm Bore types. You can convert an 80mm bore Block to 85mm type by boring the Block, there are 87mm types but the sleeves will fit into an 85mm Block...John(UK)[email protected]

 

[Bob (Aust)]

Ben. I don't know if the early Standard engines had a casting date, but you could check the block behind the generator:



"1 7 3" = 1 July 1953.

There is also a casting date on the transmission, right side below the seat:



"6 7 3" = 6 July 1953.

The production date is generally around 10 days later.

A 1947 TEA20? Are you sure the year is correct? It must be an exceedingly early TEA20 produced very late in 1947, as most 1947 Fergys were TE20s with a Continental engine and to the best of my knowledge, no TE20s were imported into Australia.

Good luck with your rebuild. The Fergy is very simple, fun to restore and inexpensive. Here is my restored TEA20:



Bob in Queensland
'53 TEA20

 

[Ben in oz]

G'day Bob, the K had me a bit puzzled as my '49 tea 20 has a
z cast in the same position. Yep it's definately a 1947,
numbers on serial plate TE A 2947.
Thanks Ben

 

[Bob (Aust)]

Hi Ben

TE A 2947 and it has a Standard engine? (Obviously, if it is an "A"!)

I would have thought 1947 Fergy S/N 2947 would definitely have a Continental engine?

I wonder how that is possible - or is it a Standard engine prototype?

Bob

 

[John(UK)]

I have been in contact with Bob from Oz about your tractor, if you will let me have the Engine and transmission numbers. I will try to check when they were made. There were some TEA's made early 1947 although the first delivery of new tractors to Australia left here in June 1948, so it is a very early one possibly sent out for evaluation by the New Distributor for your state. The engine number is between the oil filler and the Coil mounting, stamped in the block and begins with "S" and ends with "E", the transmission number is just forward of the round port below the seat usually on right side but some where on left side. Get the right one as there are other casting numbers, the one you want looks like a plate attached to the side and showing screws at each end. That is the only number, all other numbers and letters refer to the manufacturing process and don't mean anything to us. If you will send it to the address below and then I can check the dates and let you know just what you have...John(UK). [email protected]

 

[Bob (Aust)]

Thanks John.

I am curious how such an early serial number had a Standard engine (not Continental) and how an early 1947 model Fergy ended up in Australia when the first imports occurred in 1948.

I don't have the date of registration of the Australian agents HARRY FERGUSON OF AUST LTD, but think it was 1948. The company (Foreign Company (Overseas) making me think it may have been a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK company) was deregistered some years ago.

I'm curious whether Ben's Fergy is a prototype perhaps sent to Australia for evaluation?

Bob

 

[Charles in Aus.]

First shipment of Ferguson tractors reached Melbourne wharf on April Fool's Day 1948.
It would be very interesting to find out whether it has been stamped with an Australian delivery number [ usually found on the gearbox lid or serial no. plate ] This would identify exactly which shipment it came out on .

 

[Bob (Aust)]

"It would be very interesting to find out whether it has been stamped with an Australian delivery number [ usually found on the gearbox lid or serial no. plate ]"

Charles, that is new to me. What am I looking for?

Bob

 

[Ben in oz]

G'day Charles , the delivery stamp number is 94.
Thanks
Ben

 

[Ben in oz]

Thanks John I will email what I have to you.
Thanks
Ben

 

[Ben in oz]

G'day Bob,
After getting the info together to email Charles, I noticed I had
made a mistake with number on the plate . It is TEA 2407.
Sorry bout that. But from what I can find it still indicates a 1947
model.
Thanks
Ben

 

[Bob (Aust)]

Ben

I'm curiously intrigued why Fergy Ser No 2407 has a Standard engine and why it is in Australia, when the first imports did not occur until mid 1948.

TE20 tractors had Continental Z120 engines until well into the 70000 serial numbers.

We may never know the answer but I suspect it may be a Standard engine prototype?

Bob

 

[Ben in oz]

Here are some photos of the numbers

 

[Bob (Aust)]

Ben

This one is interesting...........

My guess that engine was cast on 17 December 1948.

I think this serial number is TEA [b:6fc9ff01ff]8[/b:6fc9ff01ff]2407, which would account for the Standard engine?

I am sure I can see an "8" between the A and the 2?

What is the transmission casting date here:



My guess it will be early 1949 production which will account for the Standard engine casting date of 17 December 1948.

Bob

 

[Ben in oz]

G'day bob,
It may appear that way in the photo, but having removed the plate from the tractor to check, there is no imprint or impression of an 8 on the back of the plate. The only numbers on the plate in that area are 2407. The trans cast numbers are 6 10 7.
Thanks
Ben

 

[Charles in Aus.]

Depending on which state delivery was made the Australian delivery number #94 refers to 1.4.48 to 30.6.48 during which 156 tractors arrived in Melbourne . Unfortunately New South Wales also used consecutive numbers , 128 tractors were unloaded there between 1.7.48 and 30.9.48. The position of the delivery number on the serial number plate indicates that it was most likely landed in NSW , although there are anomalies , most Victorian delivery numbers were stamped on the gear box cover . Other States in Australia did not use a delivery number system .
I have a copy of the official Ferguson tractor delivery record , it is a [size=9:8f78c2c32f]'' compilation for use by Ferguson dealers in NSW and VIC. as a guide for trading used Fergusons. These figures are to be treated as confidential''[/size:8f78c2c32f]

 

[Bob (Aust)]

Hi Ben

The trans cast numbers are 6 10 7

6 October 1947.

They were hand stamped I think, some numbers "hard", some "soft". Here is my original data plate:



Most odd - unless your tractor had a back end transplant at some time, although I am surprised a transmission case cast in October 1947 is in Australia.

Bob

 

[Bob (Aust)]

If you look at my original data plate above, there is less than one digit in width between the "A" and the "3".

I've seen a number of original Ferguson tractor date plates and the gap between the alpha prefix and numeric serial number is always slightly less than one digit wide, no doubt to avoid "doctoring" data plates.

I still think Ben's Fergy is ser no 82407.

Bob in Oz

 

[Charles in Aus.]

I would agree Bob.

 

[Ben in aust]

Everyone is entitled to an opinion . From those in our club who
have physically seen the plate and have vast more knowledge
& experience with ferguson's than myself, there is no 8. But as
I have said, everyone is free to have an opinion .