The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hello. Not been on forum for a long time but decided to come on and ask a question.
About 20 years ago I saved maybe 10 old majors from the scrap man. Unfortunately they are lying in a corner of my farm slowly decaying back to nature. Most are majors or power majors but a couple are supermajors.
I'm sure when I got them I reckoned one was a new performance major but cant remember how to tell.
I'm sure it had something to do with top link draft fork on rear housing being different as it had 2 way draft .
Can't remember much about serial number etc so wondered if someone on here could maybe guide me?
I was hoping to build one up and thought maybe the Np major would be best to rebuild. Anyhow thanks in advance of any help !

Well done saving them from the scrappy, whatever fate awaits them.

Agreed. Thr rocker and yoke are different, as is the top cover wityh a large nut holding the yoke in. There's also a drop control next to the relief valve. The other very visible difference is the PTO casting, the NP one is a fair bit bigger. Engines lacked a sediment bowl and have head E1ADDN-6052J. No cast wheels although many were changed for better weight.
Sandy

Thank you for the pointers . I shall cut my way through the brambles and search. I will search for cylinder head number. Does anyone know what engine serial numbers would be for NP major?

NP Super Major's run from 08C-960337 to 08D-976148. The head part number is on the RH side between injectors 2 and 3. Good luck and don't get pricked too much!
Sandy

So engine number reads O8D 947926. Think that makes it a NP major. It's in pretty rough condition and the hydraulic cover plate is missing but I think it might be in my shed in a box. There is no cover on exhaust and I don't think the manifold has a drain hole so good chance engine is sized and full of water. Are engine rebuild kits available for the later major engines?
I've another super major that looks in better nick but the engine number has eds in middle of serial number might look at fixing that one up

If it's the original E1ADKN-9488 elbow it does have a bleed hole, but it could well have got blocked up. Kits are available for all engines but you need to watch out for many parts can be packed wrong. Depends a bit on what actually needs fixing. As for the other Super Major, don't understand what you mean about the serial number. the first one was 1578886 (apart from a few-pre production tractors and prototypes), until November 61 the same series continued ending at 1623295, from then it's the 08 prefix followed by the year letter and them the number series which changes every year. Last one is 08C-960336. Minimec introduced 08B-756398. E1ADDN-6010M block and E1ADDN-9350 lift pump introduced 1613500. I wouldn't mix parts if you can avoid it, there are so many that are mixed that it's nice to keep std ones original. I would fix both but that's just my idea. Some pics of all of them would be nice, it's always good to see what we're talking about too.
Sandy

Wasn't planning on chopping 2 tractors into one just thinking id maybe rebuild the super major that is in better condition. Its engine may have been rebuilt as it is red oxide colour and has EDS stamped in middle of serial number.maybe a rebuilder mark. There is a few things in the way before I can get either out. There's a Bedford tl, a ford 4600, a landrover 109 and a few majors lying in the way!

Ive tried downloading image of serial number of super major hope it works!
Maybe someone can decipher serial number ?

Pic worked fine, it's a replacement 1964 engine. It came from a Thames Trader NC, the 624E being that it's a 4 cylinder diesel, the D being 1964 and then the number 11732 tells you how many 4 cylinder engines have been made up to this one for NC Thames Trader's, introduced in May 62 to replace the then ageing 500E/502E models (introduced in March 54 to replace the V8 and P6 variants of the same lorry, the ET6 and ET7). These lorries had the minimec from new, rather like the Super Dexta. The only difference between 502E, 530E and 624E engines of contemporary time is the front mounting plate, apart from the fact that all 502E were fitted with a pneumatic governor and all 624E had a minimec. Unfotrunately I don't yet have a monthly list for any lorries after November 61, so can't really tell you the month yet. Keep the pics coming, especially if you have other mixed up tractors.
Sandy