part number

[brichter]

251172-R2

IH L

If you saw that number on a head, how would you tell what model tractor it came from?

I have a chance to buy a rebuilt head, new valves, seals and all but I don't know what it fits and the old guy who has it has no idea. He kinda got it in a package deal with other tractor parts but he does not have a Farmall in his herd.

[Bill Hudson]

BR,

Take a look here http://www.ebay.com/itm/251172R2-IH-Farmall-A-C-Super-C-100-130-140-Cylinder-Head-/121672989805.

Bill

[Jim Becker]

Of course, you can't trust a guy on eBay for not padding the list a little or even being completely wrong. For one thing, we know that the cylinder head of a 140 is totally incompatible with the earlier c-113 and 123 engines. You can certainly do as Bill probably did and use the part number for a google search. You just need to judge what you find.

Another alternative is to just look at the number and say "that looks about right for a Super A". You would then have to look at the head and say "yeah that's it" or "nope, guess again". Or you could start with a look at the head and say "it looks like XXX" and check the parts catalog that seems likely. If course with part number changes you may guess right but not have it prove out in whatever version of the catalog you have.

The third alternative is to look the number up in the appropriate vintage of 19-XP, the index of part numbers. It will give you the parts catalogs it is listed in, in this case one power unit and three tractors. You then look the number up in the index of those catalogs to find what the part fits. Of course, you need access to the index and the right catalogs.

Edit: You can also use the parts microfiche in place of 19-XP. There is a trap with the fiche. It lists models used on, not the catalog number. Unfortunately, they based it on which catalog and what models were in the catalog. For example, one head fits the 200 and 230 and another fits the 240. Since one catalog covered all 3 tractors, the fiche lists 200, 230 and 240 for both heads. You still need to check the catalog to find what a given head really fits.

[Jim Becker]

Oh wait, did you want to know what 251 172 R2 actually fits? Because you didn't ask that, just how to tell what it fits.

"Teach a man to fish . . ."

[Bill Hudson]

Oh, I love it when Jim sets me straight, because I know I'm going to learn a lot. Thanks, Jim.

Bill

[brichter]

Mr. Becker, I would really like to know what it really fits.

[Jim Becker]

This is all for gasoline engines: The first Super As used the same head as the A. After a while, they came out with a new head (this one). It was probably a bit higher compression than the A head. It was also used on the C and maybe the first Super Cs, as well as the U-2A power unit. It will bolt on and probably be close enough for any A through 230.