Engine serial number.

[RH]

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I can't find the list of Engine serial number codes here on the Forum (Or casting codes either.)
A few years ago I knew were to find them, but not now!
So;
Can anyone give me the year of my FPM tractor please?
Engine serial # is; 1497265.

Casting code on rear axle housing is; A7C

Thanks in advance,
Richard.

[Brian]

The serial numbers were on the home page and they got taken down when we had to make changes. I will eventually put them on the Wiki but, for the moment, please ask and I will sort them for you.

Both your numbers are for January 1959.

[RH]

Thanks for the information Brian.
Very good of you.
The other rear axle casting was A12 C so made just 5 days later than t'other one. They didn't let the grass grow under their feet, did they?!

Seems I wasn't quite 5 when this tractor was made...

[oehrick]

This Richard was born 3 days before his Major's block was cast Richard - family opinion remains divided over which of us is in better condition..............

[RH]

Oehrick,

S'funny you should say that!
I was doing a bit of mental calculating, weighing things up, and wondering which of us was in better nick for their age. I guess I have less leaks (!) and most original parts, though some have been welded up after breaks. Colour -wise I might be better, less faded than the tractor. We're both a bit sluggish at starting on a cold morning.
At present I just need a knee and a shoulder fixing. Power Major needs his hydraulics doing, and has a real Big leak from gearbox to clutch fixing. Don't know about the clutch really yet, as the PTO side is stuck. Needs work to see if it loosens him up.
Need to take off hydraulic valve chest, But! Brian says do that with the arms down. Arms won't go down, lever gummed up and won't budge. If it Would move I may not have to remove valves.

I think it will be messy.
Just noticed you are from Norfolk.
Great Grandad was a gamekeeper near Thetford, and near Hollesley bay. (Shingle Street) He also worked near Woodbridge over the border.
I used to go down on the Washes to shoot ducks a long time ago!

[oehrick]

My FMD has been in the family since the mid 60's, 2nd owners, on a smallholding so not beaten to death, just tired, worn & neglected - paint faded, light rust on tinwork but rear wheels (which I'm about to fit pre enjoyed tyres with tread need de rusting & painting), I may just linseed oil the rest. Needs pump & injector overhaul as reluctant starter when cold but pulls well once going - ah and gearbox to rear seal leaks as it over fills and 'scent marks' as is their habit.

As for me, underheight (should be 14' '7" according to docs chart) diabolic & disk problems, no liquid leakage issues yet but gaseous emissions becoming a problem (so others tell me ), CPU speed & memory issues too so very much on a par with the tractor

I'm near Wroxham so a little adrift from your ancestral stamping grounds, Brian is nearer the Washes and Adrian closer to the lovely heavy horses at Hollesley than I.

Do you know anyone with a loader bucket that you could get to fill and then lower on your arms to see if they are just stuck ? or load them with a few bags sand or other ballast?? or stick a bar across and jack down from a door lintel???

[RH]

My old Super Major leaks between gearbox and rear end, but I have a flex pipe installed, and when the rear end gets a bit high, I just pump some back into the gearbox.

This Power Major, I don't know. Seems the oil showing at the valves is as thick as aged linseed. Must be decades since the arms were used. It has hydraulic hoses fitted, and when I first tried it, you could hear pressure as the levers were pressed. It had had a post pounder mounted on the front, and I don't think the 3-point was ever used.
When I tried to lower the arms, the valve must have opened a bit, as now there is no hydraulic pressure on the lines, but I can't get the lever to go up Or down any more.

I could try pressing down the arms with the loader, but still have to get 3-point control freed up.
When I took the alloy cover off where the lever attaches, the oil in there just stood on end like congealed linseed! The next day it was still sitting the same! That might take some shifting from the valves...

Wroxham. Lovely spot! I visited the area now and then. Did you ever read "Fisherman Fowler" by Alan Savoury??? Magic, that little book!

Off to see the Doc. trying to shorten up the process of getting this shoulder ligament re-attached!