Goofy theory

[ N History ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Jim.UT on April 07, 2006 at 17:23:49 [URL] :

There's an auction tomorrow in Spanish Fork, Utah. Included is this 8N:


Being the Ford tractor nut that I am, I have to check it all out. Here's what I found:
  • Invisible serial number
  • Side mount distributor
  • No proofmeter
  • Early dash (no proofmeter hole)
  • No proofmeter drive connection on the governor
  • 1952 date code on the engine block
  • February 1949 date codes on axle and hyd pump
  • Steel gearshift knob
  • 9N air cleaner with under hood cyclone cleaner on the side
  • 241B carb

    I don't know how to tell the difference between steering gears on early and late 8N's but I'm pretty confident that this is a '49 8N that has had an engine transplant (and an air cleaner transplant).

    But then I realize the date code on the engine is really late in the year.


    Depending on whether or not the letter I was used in date codes, this is either September or October 25, 1952. When did NAA production start?

    At this point I become really interested in the invisible s/n. I want to know just how deep into the s/n range this engine is. I tried everything. Wire brush, carb cleaner, chalk, etc. The paint on this engine block is already pretty thin so it wasn't hard to get to bare metal. There is no hint of a number....not one digit.

    Here's where the goofy theory comes in: Is it possible that 8N engines that were left over after 8N production ceased were used as replacement parts and therefore never received a s/n?

    Follow Ups:


    Subject:

    Posting not permitted in the forum archives.

    [ N History ] [ FAQ ]