Early C motors

I'm just guessing that the engine serial numbers got moved some time in the 41 production year. Exactly when is a good question.

Maybe this helps. The engine in my C was from a BE code power unit distillate engine. Late 1940/early 1941. It was stamped on the side.

Steve at B&B has an early C we got him last fall. Maybe he can run out under the pine tree and look...

Hmmm, is that some welding I see there just under the boss for the air cleaner bolts? Looks really smooth. Don't see any "peening" marks for stress relief. Maybe something else?

Edited by DREAM - 12 Apr 2011 at 9:00pm

OK. Powder torch. Never thought of doing that. Did it turn out OK for you? I guess if you had the correct heat level around the area, and everything was clean, it shouldn't be a problem with bonding to the base metal. As long as it was cooled slowly and evenly, which is the case for any repairs done on cast. Concentrated heat or cool is always what causes cracking. Gradual heating to correct temp, then cooling back down slowly while relieving internal stress is key. Kinda like me and my blood pressure. LOL!

My '39 B with BE engine has the number stamped into the rear flange, not the side...I can check to see what number it is tomorrow.  I would guess that the B and C engine stampings were both changed at the same time, and probably after they all went to the CE engine...I'm betting off the same engine line.

My early hand brake C model that Glenn mentioned has Tractor serial number C3864 which I believe makes it a 1941. However, the engine serial number is stamped on the side of the bellhousing rail. The engine number is CE 4010 G. Didn't take a pic, it was raining pretty hard yet. Even under the Pine tree.... HTH
Steve@B&B

The 125 engine was probably first used in the RC.  I have 1939 RC #686, with engine #R692 with the number stamped on the flange.  It was the 125 engine as I still have the cast iron pistons I believe came in the tractor from the factory.  It sure ran smoother with the heavy iron pistons than with the new higher compression aluminum pistons I used when I overhauled the engine.  The sleeves cracked from #3 & #4 pistons overheating and seizing due to sludge build up around the rear sleeves over the years.

The engine I just split from my 44C is BE2099909 on the flange. Which I guess makes it a 1937 B engine... Still can't get the sleeves out, I think they are original.

Crap, now i'm confused! LOL! It does seem like there are many variables here. I will get the engine numbers off of my motor when I get up to my dad's again(he's got my C for a loaner while i'm doing some rehab on his). I know my BE motor is a Kerosene unit. I'm just speculating that it was from a power unit, as there are holes for the genny. I think that whoever put in that engine used the hood from the power unit on the tractor, because the hood has the hole for the starter tank, the holes for the exhaust pipe brace, and the extra hole for the gas cap. It also has a brass tag on it from a road machinery company in Greensboro, NC.

BE engine came out in 38....Right?

Right, 37s were Wakeshaw flat heads.

I think Miles Grandad got tired of hand cranking that 38 and had that B apart and back together so fast nobody but him saw it happen. I have yet to see a all original 38 B with a electric starter.

I asked my dad how many different Bs he had on the farm. He said,none, we only had the 1. I asked again if he didn't trade in a 39 for a 47. He said, no. I asked again if he was sure of that. He said, Positive. That is when I showed him the pictures of both Bs with him behind the wheel. Grandma also recorded in her diary the day the 39 B was bought and when it was traded in for the 47 B. Dad had a real good recollection of everything else except his Bs.

Morton, that engine (BE20999G) was pulled Sunday off my supposed 44C... However, considering what Ken said about the S/N's, I would think the engine is a 37 or 38.

Miles. I think your mixing up the Serial Number with the Casting Number ending in a 9 or a 10. The serial numbers are stamped into the block. The Casting Numbers are the raised numbers on the mag side of the block. The 10,11, 12 and so on are last 2 numbers below spark plug #2.