Ford Build Sheets and Paint Codes

[OliverKidX]

Our son is restoring a 1968 Ford 3000 as an FFA project. We were wondering if Ford has build sheets or cards and if so, how do we go about getting it. We are also needing the paint codes for the blue and the white paint. Thanks so much in advance for any help!!!

 

[Ultradog MN]

I don't think Ford ever had a build sheet like John Deere or other manufacturers used.
And if there was such a thing it was all lost in a fire many years ago.
If you get us the numbers off the top of the transmission - just above and behind the starter (see photo) we can tell you how the tractor was equiped when it left the factory.
As to paint codes maybe someone here can tell you that. I have had good results with the paint from the New Holland dealer. Tell them the year of your tractor and they will know.
I Always use the hardener with the paint for great results.

 

[Sean in PA]

Build sheets are not available as far as I am aware. The model number stamped into the flat spot near the starter, and also possibly on a foil sticker on the underside of the right side hood panel tells you the base model, plus which engine, transmission and PTO options it had when it left the factory. If you can find those numbers, post them back here and we can tell you what the numbers mean.

As to paint codes, those are like opinions. Everyone thinks they know which is correct. Personally, I'm slightly color blind, so I can't see the slight differences between the various shades of blue that Ford and New Holland used over the years, nor between the various shades of white/off-white/gray that they used either.

If it was a fleet purchase for a municipality or highway department, then Ford would have painted it whatever color the customer ordered.

 

[strum456]

Kaskadenblau Code 949. I had the underside
of the hood on my known original 4610
scanned and it came back as Mercedes code
949 Kaskadenblau. All my blue tractors are
this color. If you're interested I would
be happy to tell you where I get my paint.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

Jerry-
The lost in a fire comment is just a myth. FORD TRACTOR was now in a modern/hi-tech factory located in Romeo, MICH. There was never a fire or a flood or a rain/snowstorm that destroyed records. In 2006 I had a 3 hour conversation with Mr. Harold Brock and he told me that all was BS.


Tim Daley(MI)

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

Build sheets? Never had any. Paint Codes - here is my list I compiled for the Thousand Series and more. The Blue shades are listed and note the differences. Not going to find them all nowadays but good luck trying. FORD TRACTOR went out of business in 1990. Most offer a standard shade of Empire Blue as the go-to for all models. As for the FORD Off-White, I don't know if there is one but the Thousand Series gurus like Ultradog can probably chime in and tell us.


FORD TRACTOR THOUSAND SERIES BLUE PAINT CODES PRENEW HOLLAND
My 1969 Special Parts Catalog lists the Ford Blue paint, after 63 as M1J-1639-SE
CNH sells their IRONGARD brand as p/n 9613386DS, 63-00 BLUE, close match and should be the same as the 2nd one on list, M20J11639A #8486.
NOTE: Equipment Dark Blue is a darker shade.

FORD TRACTOR THOUSAND SERIES PAINT CODES:

Ford Tractor Blue (1962)------------------------------12720
Ford Tractor Blue (1963-1965) - M20J1639A-------------12809
More Ford Tractor Paint codes
Ford Beige--------------------------------------------33186
Ford Gray---------------------------------------------30570
Ford Gray---------------------------------------------32663
Ford Gray (1948 & 1954)-------------------------------32675
Ford Yellow-------------------------------------------82536
Ford Light Yellow-------------------------------------82549
Ford Red----------------------------------------------2833
Ford Red (1947)---------------------------------------70075
Ford Light Red----------------------------------------72598
Ford Equipment Dark Blue------------------------------12908
Ford New Tractor Red----------------------------------71969
Ford New Tractor Silver-------------------------------33442
Ford Tractor Blue (1962)------------------------------12720
Ford Tractor Blue (1963-1965) - M20J1639A-------------12809
Ford Tractor Buff-------------------------------------81339
Ford Tractor Gray-------------------------------------30448
Ford Tractor Gray (1965) - M20J1750-A-----------------32571
Ford Tractor Gray (1965)------------------------------32571
Ford Tractor Green------------------------------------42940
Ford Tractor Yellow (20J3132A)------------------------82179
Ford Tractor Yellow (New) (M2J5394-A)-----------------82291
Ford Tractor Orange Red-------------------------------71346
Ford Tractor Vermillion (1949)------------------------3155
Ford Tractor Vermillion-------------------------------70205
Ford Tractor White------------------------------------8712
Ford Tractor & Implement Buff #1640 (1967)------------22914
Ford Tractor & Implement Buff (1967)------------------4068
Ford Tractor & Implement Buff (1967)------------------4119

Tim Daley(MI)

 

[Bern]

I would have loved to have a 3 hour conversation with Harold Brock. Any gems you can share from your conversation with him?

 

[Fordfarmer]

Not a myth... happened in the summer of 1970. But as to if it affected tractor records, that isn't clear from the reading I've done on it.

 

[OliverKidX]

Thank you all so much for all your help. This is the 2nd tractor my son has restored and we love to have all the history we can find on these tractors for his show table and record book. We were able to acquire the build card on his last one which was a case. Thank you for all the information on paint codes, that helps us so much.

 

[showcrop]

Having read the book I would not be inclined to believe much that Harold Brock told me.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

Met him a few times, and no reason to suspect he told any lies. What do you think he said that wasn't true? Also, a good friend of mine worked at FTO for 44 years and never heard of any fires as well. Records were not kept for long. When a part was superseded by a previous one, prior drawings were marked obsolete and many destroyed. But, you can find a lot of info at The Henry Ford Research Center in Dearborn at The Henry Ford. You can get much info and drawings on micro-fiche but when applying online you need to specify drawing/part numbers. The best way to determine part changes is in the MPC's. You need to know how to decipher part numbers and change revisions.


Tim Daley(MI)

 

[Sean in PA]

What I find odd is that the New Holland parts site lets you search on serial numbers, and some of the time it will return the exact model that matches the tractor with that serial number, but other times it says that the serial number could not be found, even with two numbers that aren't that far off from each other. So they kept some sort of records, at least sporadically.