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john in la 09-26-2008 21:30:23 72.150.55.125 428328 Report to Moderator	I got a e-mail from awhtx about date codes. This has gotten the gears in my head spinning now to try and find some answers on the proper way to read date codes. So I would like to ask a favor of anyone that owns a 1955 to 1964 ford tractor. This will include all X00; X01 and early X000 tractors. To do this research I will need your model and serial # so we can date your tractor. It can be found by looking here. http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/johnLA/modellocation.jpg I will need as many date codes as you can find and what part you got them off of. If you do not know what date codes look like or need help finding them you can look over these pictures. http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/johnLA/ I am most interested in any letters that may seem upside down or backwards but would like to see any and all codes so we can do proper research. While we are doing this lets look at one more thing. Look on the hyd cover under the seat. Just above the date code you should see.... NCA 501-B Is yours all in one line like the one in this picture. http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/johnLA/hydcoverdatecode2.jpg OR is the NCA 501 on one line and the B is on a second line under that like in this picture. http://www.rieckesbaysidegallery.com/programfiles/talers/100_0716[1].jpg I would like to Thank everyone that helps me with this research by getting this info for me. This post was edited by john in la at 21:52:45 09/26/08 2 times. [Reply]   [No Email]
Steve (BC) 10-05-2008 17:45:11 154.11.109.30 428868 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-26-2008 21:30:23   John not sure if you are still looking for this type of information?: Casting Codes: Manufacture: Ford Type: Tractor Model: 871 Serial Number: 82629 1. Radiator: NDA-B (L is below NDA-B);259 is located below the L (all are stamped on top surface of radiator; to the right on the filler); not sure of date. 2. Cylinder head: 8BD (D is flipped backwards); February 29, 1958. 3. Engine block: 94 C (C is flipped backwards); April 28, 1959. 4. Hydraulic lift cover: 93F (F is flipped backwards & upside down) and NCA 501 with B underneath + a D to the upper right of the B tiled ±45 degrees; March 31, 1959. 5. Transmission: J159; September 15, 1959. 6. Rear end: 94Y; April 24, 1959. 7. Left Axle: A79; January 7, 1959. 8. Right axle: A289 (all four are upside down); January 28, 1959. Please correct me on the dates if I am out to lunch. Date spread: Feb.29/1958 (cylinder head) to Sept.15/1959; therefore if all components are original this tractor came off the assembly line shortly after September 15, 1959. Thanks, Steve   [Reply]   [No Email]
john in la 10-07-2008 20:10:26 65.6.119.54 429028 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to Steve (BC), 10-05-2008 17:45:11   Hello Steve; Thanks for posting your date codes. I feel you are right on with most of your dates but let me add some info if I can.... You show 8B backwards D for the cylinder head and I agree that says Feb 29 1958. Only one problem here. Leep year was 1956 and 1960 so they did not have 29 days in Feb in 1958. Are you sure this code is correct???????? It also seems odd that all other parts are from 1959 but the head is from early 1958. You show the date for your radiator; it is Feb 1959. By your serial # your tractor build date is May 1959. Some time in the second week if my adding is right. This time frame fits all your date codes except the transmission. The reason it does not fit the trans is because you have a early SOS tractor; (871). Ford rushed production of the SOS tractors before doing good quality test. This caused a recall of all early production SOS tractors. Rather than fix the trans they just replaced the whole thing. From this info we can see your tractor went threw the recall and the original trans was replaced with one that was built on Sept 15 1959. This post was edited by john in la at 20:27:26 10/07/08.   [Reply]   [No Email]
john in la 09-28-2008 15:46:21 65.6.118.172 428446 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-26-2008 21:30:23   I would like to thank everyone that has posted codes so far. I would like to also give credit to awhtx for figuring out some of these codes. It was a e-mail from him that got me started on this. If we look in the archives we can see that I and many others have had these codes wrong. When we decoded these #'s in the past we were coming up with odd days like weekends or holidays. Some letters were even called mistakes from the factory by long time posters and seasoned Ford tractor people. No one could ever explain the upside down letters. Letters N and above were called a miss print because it just did not fit the way we were decoding. The problem seems to be (I) we were looking at the codes in the wrong order. If I have given out bad info in the past because of this I am truely sorry. While Alan may not have this figured out 100% yet; I can say his new way seems to work much better. I have been checking everyones codes and have not come up with one weekend day or holiday using this new method and all letters have a meaning now. No more; I just do not know; that must be a miss print. While I would like to see more X01 or X000 codes before coming to a conclusion on these tractors lets look at what I have seen so far. On all the the X00 and very early X01 (except for Alan's replacment trans on the 971) we have codes of ##letter on the block; trans; hyd cover; and rear end center. All fit this new decode method of year; month; day. Year; the # is the last # of the year. 5-1955 Month; 1 to 9 is Jan to Sept. While we need to see more codes I am betting 0 is Oct; A is Nov; and B is Dec. Day; (i is not used) A to Z stands for a day in order. A is 1 B is 2 and so on till Z is 25. Upside down A would be 26; upside down B would be 27 and so on to the end of the month. Like I said every code listed fits this. Thank you Alan for the hard work you have done to figure this out.   [Reply]   [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 09-29-2008 09:33:51 205.188.117.133 428522 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-28-2008 15:46:21   Sorry John , Before you repost the correct info that I stated incorrectly. The month info you have stated is correct for 1953-1959 tractors before Ford changed their system same as they did for letters in 1960. Thanks Tony   [Reply]   [Send Email]
TONY JACOBS 09-29-2008 08:57:26 205.188.117.133 428521 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-28-2008 15:46:21   Hello John , Well you are getting close the YEAR is always a digit and the last digit of the year as you have said. That is correct and is still used today regardless of manufacturer. The MONTHS are wrong they are always letters, the first 13 letters of the alphabet minus the letter I are the months of the year. This is also correct and is still used to date. The DAYS are both letters and numbers. 1953-1959 uses the letters of the alphabet and the upside down letters for the days of the month, which is what Alan is talking about and which you have posted is correct. Begining in 1960 the days are numbers only. Which is a correct and still used today. This method follows though the rest of the Ford tractors to the end of Ford tractors, I have never bothered to check the New Holland tractors. While I know I posted in the past that I did not know what the upside down letters were, I was still looking for the answers also. As I said before it has already been figured out before and not by any of us. Matching Number Restorations of Classic Cars, Muscle Cars and Exotic Cars has been around longer than any of us and they figured it out. I have in the past restored many 90 point plus GM Muscle cars and knew the GM codes and what they meant but not the Ford codes but I knew who to contact. Not all the car codes work on the tractors though as was the case with the upside down letters and such. As I posted before I was speaking with Alan about the upside down letters months ago when I was in contact with a restorer of both Mustangs and Tractors in Virginia who was also coming up with same information about the upside down letters. If you have ever been in contact with anyone who restores valuable vehicles all the info is out there, you just gotta know where to look which is the hard part. If you know that an R-CODE Galaxie is a 427 car you or I did not figure it out but we both know where to look to find out. If you would like to continue on Date Codes next time you take a Ford Tractor engine apart look at the bearings if they are original Ford they will be scripted and have a date there too. Original themostats have Ford Script and a date code as will brake shoes, clutch parts, fan belts and even some head gaskets , All of your proofmeters are dated also and did you know that there is two different types of numbers on the hour meter dials early and late design. Over the parts counter replacements after 1968 are different than those installed originally in the tractors on the assembly line. Did you ever see Original Date Coded Mufflers from the factory ? Not many left. If you want to learn more go to a Restoration Shop that does Concours Quality Show cars and get some judging sheets and the info needed to complete the cars for that type of show and it can be applied to the tractors even though there is no points judging for tractors you can see what to look for in the date codes, casting numbers, where to look etc. etc. it all there. Tires are also serial numbered and dated if you really want to get down to the nitty- gritty. I should have never posted anything years ago because I left restoring cars because of this crap it turn cars into real estate/trailer queens that everyone is afraid to drive in fear of losing points at a show and or losing value because you have a few stone chips in the wheel wells from driving the car that you just poured your blood, sweat and tears into what fun is that a car you can't even enjoy. Sooner or later as Value climbs on these tractors it will happen also and we will be priced right out this hobby or whatever you call it depending on what you do with them, look at the prices on some of these John Deere and IH tractors at 6 figures already, some Fords have already hit 5 figures, how long before they get to 6 figures ? Thanks Tony   [Reply]   [Send Email]
GlenIdaho 09-28-2008 20:12:54 204.228.226.16 428491 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-28-2008 15:46:21   Hello John; Thank you for pursuing this project. I concur and join you in your comments concerning Alan's work on this too. You both have provided countless Ford owner's much help over the years. After e-mails with Alan I thought I'd send a e-mail off to the Ford/Fordson Collectors Association to see if they could provide any information that would be of help. I'll post back if I get anything back from them. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience.   [Reply]   [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 09-28-2008 10:14:38 64.12.117.133 428423 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-26-2008 21:30:23   Hello John in LA , If you go back and look in the Archives you will find all the posts I have put there years ago about Date Codes , Casting Numbers , Serial Numbers for the 1954 - 1965 tractors its all figured out already . Alan and I were just going over the Upside letters just a few months back because we were looking at the dates on the 1957 100 series tractors and the 1957 01 series tractors . Two ways of reading the letters came out with almost the same results even though the upside down letters work the best for the later days of the month . I have already listed the differences between all the blocks (134,144,172,192,cartridge or spin on filter, gas or diesel) , heads , manifolds , trans cases , rear axle housings , carbs , etc. etc. I stopped listing all this info because most guys are too lazy to look in the archives and the ones who do usually repeat it incorrectly . I have seen it listed on other Ford websites and it is even more screwed up then when it was repeated here . It has taken me the better part of 20+ years working on these Fords with or without Elenco axles on them to figure out all these casting numbers, dates, serial numbers. Since I have owned the Elenco Products Company for the last 20 years I have been collecting serial numbers of the Front Drive Axles trying to figure out how many have been made from 1948 to 1978 and still can only guess because of a lack of info , I have however figured out within 6 serial numbers when the changeover from Full Time to Part Time Four Wheel Drive was done . If you need corrections or verifications you can email me direct because I don't check the board that often anymore. Thanks Tony JACOBS   [Reply]   [Send Email]
TONY JACOBS 09-28-2008 11:18:52 64.12.117.133 428426 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to TONY JACOBS, 09-28-2008 10:14:38   Hello again John In La , I forgot to add I have also kept track of the Bolt Manufacturers for these tractors if you want to make that Tractor Restoration as perfect as possible not only date correct, or even I.D. parts from just the bolts they were assembled with . Ford used bolts with head markings by manufacturers that varied from Ford script, F script, LE, TR, ROCKFORD, etc. etc. So I can also tell you what year what bolts were installed on a particular tractor , but I suppose that will open another Pandora's Box of information . Thanks Tony Jacobs   [Reply]   [Send Email]
awhtx 09-28-2008 07:05:43 72.26.141.22 428415 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-26-2008 21:30:23   Here's my 861D, serial number acidized completely away: Block: 8A * D = 1958 1st * Dec or 1958 Jan * 4th (I'm not sure about this one) Trans: 85P = 1958 May 15th Rear end: 80V = 1958 Oct 21st Lift cover: 80E (the E is backwards) = 1958 Oct 30th Right axle: J68 = Sep 6 1958 Left axle: K78 = Oct 7 1958   [Reply]   [No Email]
NWMO 901 SOS 09-27-2008 21:31:13 216.139.120.206 428398 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-26-2008 21:30:23   Good luck 971, SN# 109308 engine block 9J*18 . 1 cylinder head, casting code not found (she's pretty dirty) transmission F39 rear end 9F19 (upside down) lift cover NCA 501 B 9K20 right axle K139 (upside down) left axle G159 (upside down) Chris   [Reply]   [No Email]
awhtx 09-28-2008 06:16:39 72.26.141.22 428412 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to NWMO 901 SOS, 09-27-2008 21:31:13   Per your serial number your 971 is an early 1960 model which was assembled in late 1959. Your date codes confirm this as your components were cast between June (F) and October (K) 1959. It is obvious from your tractor that Ford had discontinued use of the confusing date code in the form of NNL (Numeral Numeral Letter) that was used on the earlier X00 and X01 tractors such as my 851.   [Reply]   [No Email]
GlenIdaho 09-27-2008 12:53:32 204.228.226.16 428364 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-26-2008 21:30:23   John; Sounds like an interesting project. Here's mine. Model 850 SN 125913 Engine 71X:1 (located beneath and to right of filter) Trans 71P Center 72E Right Axle B153 Letter and numbers upside down Left Alxe B32 (Note: I replaced the original due to severe wear) Here's the original: Right Axle A287 Left Axle B77 Hyd Cover 72 G NCA 501-B okay Radiator NCA C E 9 Don't know if this is opriginal. The letters and number are on a metal tag soldered to the tank and has the word "Canada" on it.   [Reply]   [No Email]
GlenIdaho 09-27-2008 14:05:39 204.228.226.16 428366 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to GlenIdaho, 09-27-2008 12:53:32   Sorry John; correct the left axle to B37. Had to study it for a while.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Jim.UT 09-27-2008 12:04:48 71.219.45.196 428361 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-26-2008 21:30:23   Mine is a 1955 850, s/n 57804: Date codes are: Engine block: 58B:1 entire code is upside down. Trans casing is 58B: Rear center housing is 57M: Top cover is 58B: The NCA-501-B is on the top line. Under that you see a sideways F and a digit 1, then the date code under that. Left rear axle is G255 Right rear axle is G225   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Jim.UT 09-27-2008 20:12:09 71.219.45.196 428389 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to Jim.UT, 09-27-2008 12:04:48   Forgot these two: Carb: 6 55 RAdiator: 6 55   [Reply]   [Send Email]
awhtx 09-27-2008 05:33:55 72.26.141.22 428338 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to john in la, 09-26-2008 21:30:23   OK John, I'll be first in line. 851, SN 1002 Engine block: 76U Cylinder head: 79F Trans: 75Y Rear end: 76D Lift cover: 77T and NCA 501 with B underneath Right axle: H147 Left Axle: E107   [Reply]   [No Email]
awhtx 09-27-2008 05:59:24 72.26.141.22 428343 Report to Moderator	Re: Tractor date codes in reply to awhtx, 09-27-2008 05:33:55   And second 971, SN 65383 Engine block: 91*0 (* is a screw head) Cylinder head: M38 Trans: H119 Rear end: 91V Lift cover: 91D (but the D is backwards) Right axle: M318 Left axle: undated This tractor is a 1959 Gold Demo and you can see that Ford had started changing their date coding system from the system used on my 1958 851.   [Reply]   [No Email]