The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hi all, just wondering if anyone can shed any light on an engine fitted in a Major I recently acquired. She's a pneumatic governed 4 cylinder as fitted in Diesel, Power and early Super Majors, the Pump number is SPE4A 75S 561 with the engine number stamped in front right corner which appears to read 2412 BSEP - does this mean anything to any one? Does it signify any difference in the engine such as higher revving? Or is it simply an industrial version? Any info would be appreciated! Many thanks

Whilst I'm sure other, more learned, members than I will give you better information than myself, the following may help:
Engine no.
1217101 Mk. 1
1425097 Mk. 2
1481091 Mk. 3 [Power Major]
1575886 Super Major
08C960337 [serial no.] New Super Major
Pavel

Hi and thank you for your reply. Yes those are the "normal" engine number codes which my other Majors feature but this engine appears to have had the original number ground off and a four numbers - four letters configuration ID professionaly restamped in the same style as the Ford stampings. I wonder if this was done if the engine was rebuilt by Ford? Many thanks

A large number of early Ford diesel engines were converted by specialist firms for use in situations such as a continuous loading on a generator , or for marine applications etc. Companies such as "C POWER", "LEHMAN" (later engines), and "PARSONS" and many others did these conversions and they would have ground off any original Ford serial numbers on the block and stamped their own model series and serial number on them. It would be worth your while to research particularly the history of Ford engine use in marine applications, there is quite a lot of data online. Check out the casting codes on the head and block for the dates of casting. I would doubt that the letters and numbers relate to any engine re-conditioner, a separate plate was usually attached with the re-build data.

That's great thank you and makes sense! It looks exactly the same as a Blue/Orange Super Major engine but does feature a late numbered pneumatic governed fuel pump. I'll get around to seeing if it'll start soon! Many thanks again