The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hi all,
Just a quick hello from Guernsey in the Channel Islands.

I found the website while trying to find info about an E27N I'm looking at buying as a winter project and must say most of my questions have been answered here both on this site and within the forum so thanks guys.
I do however have one question as regards her age.

I have taken some numbers off her and wondered if anyone would be able to tell me a year.

Engine No 1155614
Eng casting No A12L
G/box casting No A8L
G/box STD 77

What would be a fair price for a good running tractor?

It also has an odd intake pipe which judging by all the other pictures I have looked at doesn't seem standard but the owner is pretty sure It's always been that way.? The inake air can be diverted through the silencer via a valve to heat it?

I just wondered what you guys thought.

Cheers
John.

Hi John,

Welcome to the board.

From the casting codes a date of early 1948 looks like what it is. (January 8 and 12 1948) Things like the dash, the 4 spoke steering wheel, wings vaporiser etc. all support this date. However the engine number does not seem to fit. The casting code is right but the number comes up as a mid 1950 number. Is it possible that it is 1055614 rather than 1155614? 1055614 would put it at the start of 1948.

You are right the intake is not original, and neither is some of the creative paintwork, but it does look like a very original tractor in every other respect. You also have the bonus of a high speed top gearbox if the stamping is correct. As for what it is worth, I have no idea what it would be worth in your part of the world, but I have noticed the prices seem to be rising over here in Australia. Some of the other members hopfully will be able to help with a value in your area.

Regards, Frank.

Hi Frank, thanks for the info. The second number on the engine was a bit faint to be honest but I suppose the casting numbers would be a fair indication on age.

I have had a look around on t'internet as regards price and they do seem to vary a fair bit.
At present it doesn't have any 3 point linkage on it, how easy would it be to fit it?

Regards
John.

Looks like a nice tractor to me. Pricing is difficult. Make out for yourself what it is worth to you and check what te current owner wants to have. If it is close you can make a deal.

Fitting a lift is quite easy. PTO box ontop of gearbox, lift behind it on the rear axle casing, fitting the linkage and top link retainer and you're ready.

Problem is that complette lift and linkage are not found on any streetcorner, at least not here in the Netherlands.

Regards

Emiel

Hi Emiel,
Thanks for the reply and encouraging words.

I am going to see if I can negotiate a deal this afternoon once I have finished rebuilding a race engine for a customer of mine.
I will let you know how I get on.

Regards
John.

Hi John,
Looks to be a nice original tractor, if not original colours!
Never seen an air intake like that before though - maybe a local dealer addition? not really sure how/why its needed but it's a bit interesting!
price wise I'd say £1000 up, if it's running well, it looks to have 4 fair tyres and most of the electric kit, although prices seem to be on the rise at the moment, have seen a couple sold around the £2 -£2500 mark.
Interesting point on the date codes, mine is "P1K" - 1 Dec. 1947
- so pretty close to yours. I've never been able to find out the amount of time between casting dates and build dates, I know other manufacturers of the time allowed around 3 months for castings to "mature" outdoors before assembly so my late '47 tractor could actually be a 1948 machine.. anyone know?

Good luck on your purchase!

Tim

Hi John
The Air Inlet on your tractor is an 'aftermarket' addition & not of Fordson Origin.
I think it ia called a 'Fishleigh Pre-Heater', I have one exactly the same as yours but fitted to a Fordson N (the model built before the E27N).
The idea is to divert the incoming engine air over the exhaust manifold to pre-heat it so as to achieve a 'quicker engine warm up'.
This was because Petrol was very expensine in the 40's & 50's so the faster the engine warmed up the sooner it could be switched over to the cheaper TVO fuel.
When hot the diverter valve was opened to allow combustion air directlt into the engine.
Hope this helps
Regards
Tony