JD A radiator

[Jol318]

Parts book shows I might have a radiator that is a replacement from a ~47 model. Filler neck is jammed into the sheet metal hole. What should the gap be around the filler neck? Did the hole in the sheet metal change from early to late styled A?

 

[a49deere]

well, is your tractor a 47? when you say "sheet metal hole" are you talking the hood of tractor or top of tank? If you're talking the tank, then yes there is normally a gap between tank and under the lip of neck . 1/2" or there abouts!

 

[Jol318]

By best guess for the tractor’s build, not having a serial number is 1944, based on a Jen Sales parts manual and certain casting numbers. An all fuel hood has more than one serial number and I haven’t found any numbers stamped in the sheet metal. If you didn’t see the photo I posted, the filler neck was pushed tight into the hole in the hood. My ‘50 B has a large gap between the neck and the hood. So I wonder if the radiator opening in a late styled A is larger than an early styled A. The tank bottom on the radiator is A3372R. Radiator was sitting in the frame, not bolted.

 

[Jol318]

One more page for casting numbers. Lower water pipe is A 2327 R.

 

[Jol318]

Hole in sheet metal is 4 5/16”
Radiator neck is 4 5/16”

 

[a49deere]

The hole in the hood on my 44B is also 4 5/16. The hole on my 48A is 5" with an opening where cap is of 4 5/16" +/-, then neck down to the same size it appears as the B. It sounds like you may have the same neck/cap as the one on my 48A.

 

[a49deere]

Sorry, I was thinking yours was a B not an A. Google search "when did John Deere change from a small radiator cap to a large one on a Model A" and I think this will answer your question. Between late 43-44, 523600-542699 they went back to the small cap, then back to large cap at 542700(45-52). Sounds like someone put the wrong filler neck on your tractor!