I'm asking for some help here. I'm trying to sipher the sn on my side mount distributing N, and I while I believe it is a 1952, I can't make the numbers out yet to register it. However, I've been rubbing on the block stamp and I'm finding myself second guessing what I'm seeing. So far I can see some 1's and 3's. What serial numbers are the 50 to 52's. Thanks for any help.

Hey Derek

These guys are the best.
I have a 1949 8N and could not figure out the block number, didn't make sense.
It was found out to have a 1952 8N block with a front mount dist.
The serial number has diamonds at the beginning and end of the serial number, .090 sleeves.
These guys have the patience of saints and all the knowledge that goes with it !!
I wish we all could get together sometime and put names to faces, I think it would be one hell of a good time.
Something to think about.
There are no stupid questions on this board, only ones that haven't been asked yet.
I was a diesel mech for 37 years and I really enjoy these guys, the greatest !!

Gary

Gary,
Now you're getting me confused. I thought Ford switched from front mount distributors to side mount distributors sometime during the 1951 model year. So I wondering how you can have a '52 engine with a front mount? I know we've run across weirder things here on the forum like double Ford logo stamps on hoods, and supposedly blue 8N's from the factory, so I know it could be possible. Any further information would clear my muddled mind.......lol
Carl

Hi Carl

The tractor I bought from a guy I use to work with.
He said it needed a new block a few years back and he had it done.
It was determined to be a 52 block by the guys on this site, according to the serial number.
If you just use the block and crank I believe you can swap the cam and front cover over to the newer block.
I know we use to do this with diesel engines and it gave life to a older piece of equipment.
Now maybe someone else will chime in but that's how I have figured out the engine swap.
I personnaly have not taken a N engine apart.
This engine has good numbers on compression after I loosened the lifters after not being used for a while.
It's a slow process but worth it.
By the way I agree with the 30 wt oil, straight.
Detergents in this engine can do more harm than good, just my opion.

Thanks for the response.
It's nice to know someone reads my postings :)>.

Have a great Sunday, cool here and rained like h*ll the last 2 days.

Gary & Sarge

Derek....look just to the right of your starter where the engine connects to the tranny.You should see 8NC in raised letters and numbers if it is a 52.All 52's have the "C".There is also a set of letters and numbers in this area.It looks like a little tag but it's cast into the the chassis.It will start with an "N".If you will post that number,we can tell you more about your tractor's birthday. don b

Don, I've looked where you suggested. The numbers are 8N B. The plate has what appear to be the following characters. N K15-0,or N X15-0, or N H15-0. I can't make that one alpha character out just yet. What can you tell me about this information? Thanks a bunch for your help.

Okay Don! Thanks for the information. I'll go look right now.

This one will include the '52 s/n's, Derek:

Hope this helps............Ed
'52 8N475798

What was the difference between NAA and NCA? I had thought that the hundred series followed the NAA models.

Derek, here's a TSB that denotes '49-51. Let me see if I can find another one in 1953 that gives the '52 s/n's.

Hope this helps............Ed
'52 8N475798

Thanks Ed! There has to be an 8n at the beginning doesn't there?

Yes, it should start with an 8 followed by an N. After the N comes the sequential serial number. Most have stars before and after the number, later the star was replaced by a diamond but I don't know when that change was made.

The star denotes steel cylinder sleeves and the diamond denotes cast iron sleeves (I think).