The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

We are trying to identify what we think is an early 4000 but having real trouble with the numbers (On the top horizontal flat bit just behind the starter motor)

It looks like " 5F106" then "G56" then (very poorly hand cut) "5*2549853". Help! Does this mean anything to anybody?? The engine block is yellow, so it might be an industrial transplant? The block has a plate attached stamped D4NN6015 and incised in the block itself C780618.

All suggestions gratefully received!

Your codes are not quite correct so I have taken an educated guess at a couple of figures.

5F106 = 5F10C = 1965, June 10th. Afternoon shift.
B2549853 = Too many numbers = B = Basildon 254985.
G 56 is possibly the model number which has been deleted in all tractors after 1965 in this format.
C780618 is the engine code and engine number. You are right that your tractor has had an engine transplant, someone has fitted a 3000 engine. C is the code for 3000, yours should be D for a 4000.

Brian;
Very many thanks, that's really helpful. We have found an ancient tax disc and the DVLA have confirmed that the (very badly oiled) disc appears to show a number that is registered as a 1965 Ford tractor.

He then asked me to find the VIN (?) to confirm the identity, he wrote down the number 809083, which he said would be engraved into the block and would not be on a plate attached. Now we are confused! We can't find any such number anywhere obvious, but I have a nasty suspicion that it could be the original engine number (without the D prefix). Ideas?

The VIN or Serial Number is always on this mounting pad. It is possible that the gearbox housing has been changed as well as the engine at some time but I would take some time and clean up the top of this pad and see what you can find. A picture here or sent to me at bheatbtconnect.com would be a help.

The engine code prefix changed in July 1968, yours would have been "P" (4000) and should now be "D" (4000) after 1968 but you have "C" (3000) after 1968.