An exercise in 8N identification.

[dennisinoklahoma]

I just picked up an 8N with a modified serial number. The original number has been ground off using a medium grit grindstone and very weakly restamped 8N 63788

It will not show up in a picture. No * or diamonds on the start or end of the number. The N is not typical of a factory stamp.

Note there are only 5 numbers, not the normal 6 for this late of a model. Note the first number starts with a 6

My guess is the original engine was exchanged for this one at the dealership and the dealership or engine rebuilder made up the serial number.

I visited http://home.att.net/~jmsmith45/ to help id the tractor and engine.

Based on this website, I think it is a late 50 engine or maybe a early or mid 51 model engine on a 50 model tractor. Here is how I got there.

The engine has adjustable lifters making it post 356950 (started in late 50).
The engine has an 8n-B code making it pre 433578 (Late 51).

The tractor has a proof meter, making it post 290271 (changed in 1950). It has wing shaped headlight holders which were changed to round in mid or late 1950.
It is not a very late 1950 due to not having scripted fenders.
Therefore, I am going with early 1950.

I know it does not matter for parts replacement, but just for fun, are there any comments on how to better pin down the dates?

No steering column oil plug, the hydraulic pump has been changed out, water pump has been changed out. I have the original proofmeter. The head has bolts, not studs.

 

[old]

Casting codes can help at times. I'm guessing from what you say it is a side mount distributor type engine since that is also what is called a late 50s to 52 engine

 

[Den N Ms]

Dennis,Engines can be swapped over the years 1939-1952,even engines out of combines,pumps ,ect. Look on the rear axle housings,and transmission housings for the days they were cast.
ie - A107 is January,10 1947,C258 is March,25,1948.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

W/ one exception (the 8NB casting) everything else you have ID'd could be replaced. It all bolts on......fenders, dashboard, steering box.....even lifters got replaced over the years. So, it's no telling w/ any certainty what you have.

As I recall.....it takes a minimum of 5 points to ID a fingerprint. Using that analogy to ID an N, you have a way to go.

On all 4 of mine, I compared the serial number to the casting codes to other "dated" parts on John Smith's website. As an example, the casting codes on all parts (w/ one exception) on all 4 of my N's are w/in 2 weeks of each other. What that tells me is that the engine serial number and all casting-coded parts were in all probability assembled on those tractors at the factory & have remained unchanged since. The one exception is the pump on my Feb 1950 N. The serial number, tranny, pan & axle casting codes, plus the steering box, fenders & governor all point to a Feb 1950 assembly date. The exception is the pump; that has a date of Aug 29, 1949. Which tells me that the pump has been replaced.

Check your casting codes if you want to get closer on the ID. And, 90% of the effort will be for S&G's because year matters little except for some very, very few parts.
50 Tips

 

[dennisinoklahoma]

Thanks for the advice. I agree, there is no way to be sure any single part is original on any tractor.

I will look for the date codes, never thought of that.

5 points to certify! I assume that means 5 on the tractor and 5 on the engine. This may be more fun than I thought.