Farmall M Year of Mfg.

big a · Mar 23, 2011

I have what I believe to be a 1939 M, but am trying to confirm. S/N is 1096. It has the large oil filter, shift pattern cast into trans cover, and early style pto. I have served time at an IH dealership as a mechanic, and am pretty familiar with these, mechanically, but don't know what is "correct" from a restoration standpoint.
Can anyone give me some pointers as to casting numbers or other identifying characteristics of early production M's?

randy hall · Mar 23, 2011

sounds like a '39. the castings should have the letter 'I'.

rustyfarmall · Mar 24, 2011

If it has the original belt pulley unit, the lever for engaging it will be pointed to the left, instead of to the right.

big a · Mar 24, 2011

Belt pulley lever DID come out on the left, but someone modified it to the right.
The engine is what throws me. It has a blockoff plate for what appears to be a fuel pump, and a welch plug that looks like it would be for a dipstick. Crawler motor maybe? Appears to be original, but lots can happen in 72 years.
Is it possible it was used in production due to shortages?

rustyfarmall · Mar 24, 2011

(quoted from post at 07:59:44 03/24/11)
Belt pulley lever DID come out on the left, but someone modified it to the right.
The engine is what throws me. It has a blockoff plate for what appears to be a fuel pump, and a welch plug that looks like it would be for a dipstick. Crawler motor maybe? Appears to be original, but lots can happen in 72 years.
Is it possible it was used in production due to shortages?

That engine is not original to the tractor. The fuel pump block off plate indicates it was originally a stationary power unit. Maybe did duty as an irrigation pump?

randy hall · Mar 24, 2011

i am in the process of restoring a '39 m . the oddest thing about this tractor is it has a factory remanufactured block with a '39 date code. the reman block will be like yours with plug for dipstick, fuel pump block off plate and a couple of machines surfaces on the right hand side. the ih reman blocks would fit all applicaitions.

big a · Mar 24, 2011

Hadn't considered the possibility of a reman engine. Makes sense though. This old girl has had a hard life, but isn't as bad ad a lot of them.

Was the early light switch different too?

rustyfarmall · Mar 24, 2011

(quoted from post at 10:29:27 03/24/11) Hadn't considered the possibility of a reman engine. Makes sense though. This old girl has had a hard life, but isn't as bad ad a lot of them.

Was the early light switch different too?

Yes, I THINK the early light switch had a different style knob.

TractormanNC · Mar 24, 2011

My 40 M which my grandfather bought new also has a fuel pump blockoff plate and a welch plug for a dipstick. Uncle let it freeze and had a replacement block (maybe short block) installed. Block has a 44 casting code and NO serial #. Surprised they could even get a block during the war.

Farmall M Year of Mfg.

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