Ford 2n Serial Number

boxrucker4 · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:50 pm Post subject: Ford 2n Serial Number

I recently picked up a little Ford and I'm
trying to figure out the year. The oval
radius rods tell me it's after 1944.
However the serial number reads 9N8183.
That is all. That would make it a 1939. But
this one has frost plugs on the side, and I
know the 1939 9n's originally did not. So
what am I doing wrong? Is there any other
numbers I can look at to get me a more
precise year?

boxrucker4 · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

Here are some pics

Royse · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

Check the rear axle trumpets for a date code cast in as well as the
hydraulic pump. All of these parts, including the radius rods could
have been changed over the years. My guess is that someone put
an earlier 9N engine in a 2N to get it running again.

16-30 oilpull · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 4:03 pm Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

I believe the 2's serial # is 9N.... the ones I have are. Someone else may know for sure.

Royse · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

"I believe the 2's serial # is 9N.... the ones I have are. Someone else may know for sure."

You are correct, 2N serial numbers begin with 9N, but wouldn't be that low.

boxrucker4 · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

I couldn't find a date on the hydraulic
pump, but I'll pull it out tomorrow and
look. But why would the serial number be so
low? If it was truly a 1939 it shouldn't
have frost plugs. So I thought anyway..

TimInd · Regular Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 88 Report to Moderator

I have a 2n, original engine. The engine no. begins with 9n. Put your question on the Ford 9n,2n,8n forum. Those folks know everything about your ride.

Sean in PA · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

They used serial numbers starting with 9N for both the 9N and 2N models. The numbers did keep increasing over the years so there is no overlap between them. Definitely sounds like a tractor with a mixture of parts from different years. Nothing wrong with that. Just know which year a particular section of the tractor is if you need to get parts for it so you get the right ones.

Royse · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

The very early 9N blocks had no Welch/freeze plugs. Later ones
did. There were several variations over the years as I understand.
I can't tell you when those changes actually occurred.

There is no need to pull the hydraulic pump. The numbers would
be cast into the outside on the bottom if there were there.

Kirk-NJ · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

How many plugs do you see and there location? If the engine is '39 is the trans also '39? Any numbers in this location?

Kirk-NJ · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 9:38 am Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

Almost all '39's had welch (freeze) plugs, just most weren't in highly visible spots. How many and where are they located?

boxrucker4 · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 11:29 am Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

There are 2 freeze plugs on the left side of the block. And there aren't any numbers on the transmission. Thanks

Kirk-NJ · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: Ford 2n Serial Number

My '39 #7863 has the one plug behind the starter. My later '39 # about 9500 has the same as yours. one in front of the oil filter and one behind the
starter. Earlier 39's like my #1442 have the plug at the rear of the block. I would say your tractor has a swapped out block from a '39

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 9N,2N,8N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver