C264 vs C281

CNKS · Dec 9, 2011

Is there any difference in these empty blocks except the oil dipstick? In reference to my post below regarding keeping my fire craters and replacing the sleeves and rings -- I can get a 450 engine kit cheaper than adding gaskets, etc to my Super M sleeves and rings. Some of the piston and sleeve sets have the same part number for both the SM (overbore) and the 450. However I can't compare the fire craters because the parts list on caseih.com does not list them. They are available from Bates Corp. In other words, can I put a C281 kit in my Super M with a C264? The blocks differ only in the last digit of the part numbers. According to Bates Corp the pistons rings and sleeves are the same, along with the rod and crank bearings. Both my SM and the 450 have the 1 inch wrist pin, which is the real reason for asking this. The non fire crater SM kits have 1 5/16 inch wrist pins.

D Slater · Dec 9, 2011

Yes you can use the C281 kit. But a original old type fire crater piston for a SM was different than one for a 400 or 450. Because of a different head on a SM gas compared to the other 2. May not develope as much power.
But I'm in the past on the parts. They don't make all the kits anymore. If you have a standard altitude fire crater in the SM the # on it is probably 374457 and a standard one for a C281 was 3743XX. Numbers are from memory so last 2 numbers could be off and couldn't remember the last two on the other, maybe 06.
Also the old pistons are probably forged and the new ones probably won't be.

CNKS · Dec 9, 2011

Dave, at least from Bates the piston and sleeve sets are identical according to the part numbers. Doubt if Bates and others pay much attention to the heads. Since this tractor will spend its life doing very little as long as I have it, I guess the power doesn't matter, although I would like the parts to be nearly the same as original -- may not be possible. Thanks, you told me what I wanted to know.

nosih · Dec 9, 2011

No, a 400/450 firecrater will not fit with a super M head, as the 400/450 head has a wider yet shorter combustion chamber. If you do use the 450 firecraters in the super M head, they will hit the head and damage the pistons.

CNKS · Dec 9, 2011

nosih, I wondered about that -- however I was going to use aftermarket, not original IH, and Bates shows the same pistons for both tractors. Anyway it's immaterial now as I was mistaken about the pin diameter, as my machinest just called and says the wrist pins are 1 5/16 instead of the 1 inch on the 450 kits so they won't fit the rods unless I replace the bushings. Might have to replace them anyway, but for some reason the oversize rod bushings for the fire craters are more expensive. I will probably use my existing fire craters with new sleeves and rings or just put a step head kit in it. Unless you have some NOS parts for a reasonable price. Thanks for the info.

C264 vs C281

CNKS

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D Slater

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CNKS

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nosih

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CNKS

Well-known Member

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