Numbers! Numbers! and more Numbers

W

wjw777

Member
Looking at all the numbers on my cub. and none seem to be the same. Two of them that im really interested
in . The first one is right above the oil filler cap FCUBM1644 . I know the FCUB is farmall cub ,but what is the M for? and the other is left of the oil filler cap and it is 6-9-C The screw is right on the last letter but I do think its a C Thank you for all the help you have given me Walt
 
Hi,
If you can post some pictures of the Cub, it would be helpful. The code you wrote would be June 9, 1957.
The engine serial number begins with the FCUBM, a 1957 engine would have more numbers in the number, and be above 200,000. The number you wrote would be a 1947 engine. See if there are more numbers in your number.
There are more casting codes on other castings on Cubs. Here is info from TM Tractor showing where they are. :)

http://www.tmtractor.com/id/castdate_loc.htm
 
hey glen
sorry! The FCUBM was followed by 1644 so it reads FCUBM1644 this number ids right above the oil filler cap
Than theres a 6-9-C left of the cap and right below that is 251341R1 I hope that's helpful thank you
 
Hi,
If that is what the numbers say, it is a 1947 engine, sounds like the engine was replaced, if the tractor is newer than that. Look at more of the codes would be helpful, like I posted above, showing where they are.
Like Don said, the C on the engine code would be a Q for 1947, clean it, and use a good light and look at it, you might be seeing only part of the letter. Sometimes they are not cast clearly too.
 
251341R1 is the IH part number for the block. Subsequent revisions generally were the same number but ended in R2, R3, etc. Take a look at the parts manual available at the top of this page.
 
What is the number on the plate attached to the bolster near the bottom of the steering shaft?
 
The engine block part changed from R1 to R2 in 1948. I too think the "C" is a "Q". That engine number makes it quite an early tractor (well, engine at least). From a Circle Cub. How about some pictures of the tractor? Does it have a fine-mesh grill? Most importantly, is the engine ear cracked?
 
In a nutshell, there are a few different types of numbers on the castings of your tractor. So here's a quick primer on numbers:

If the number is 6-digits, an R, and then 1-2 more digits, it is a part number. These will be different for each different part on the tractor. This is how IH cataloged the individual parts for inventory management, and to order replacement parts.

If the number is in the form of XX-YY-Q, then it is a date code for the casting. XX and YY are month and day of month. The Q is a letter code that indicates year. Q would be 1947, R = 1948, S = 1949, T = 1950, U-V-W = 1951, X = 1952, Y = 1953, Z = 1954. From there it starts over at A and goes on one letter per year until sometime in the 1970's, when I think IH did away with the casting date codes.

If the number is stamped into a flat spot on the engine, then it is a serial number for the engine. FCUBMXXXX is what I'm talking about here. The FCUBM just means it is a Farmall Cub. AFAIK the M does not stand for anything special.

None of the numbers will match, unless you are comparing two identical parts or two castings just happen to have been made on the same day. These numbers will not always be easily found on every casting. Some small castings do not have numbers at all.

There is one number on the right side of the torque tube in the form of L-2-X, in large print, that I do not know the significance of.

Individual parts were not serial numbered, so you can't check for "numbers matching" as you would a classic Corvette or Barracuda. Even the engine serial number will not be the same as the tractor serial number. That means, 1644 is not your tractor's serial number, but I think there is a program or spreadsheet out there that can give you a good guess at what your tractor's serial number is.
 
In fact, the engine serial numbers matched the tractor serial numbers for tractors made that early in 1947.

Everyone should have a quick link set up to the Database. Sooooooo much useful information in there.
 
The absence of a Hyd reservoir (TC) in side view picture #2 probably dates it as 1947 unless someone has removed it. That's probably very unlikely. The 4 bar grill is probably a replacement. Stan
 
The long-ear dash would be from early 1949 or before, but it has the underslung exhaust and there is no hole in the hood for the vertical exhaust. Interesting mixture of parts from different years it seems.
 
Hi,
It also has a 1947 - 1954 hood, and a different carburetor than IH, probably a Zenith carburetor, your pic is not close, hard to see for sure. They didn't use a Zenith until later.
Looks like the hole in the hood for the exhaust might have been filled in, reach up under the hood, if you want to, and feel if there is a patch there, straight above where the exhaust elbow is at the manifold.
Look at the other date codes on the tractor and we can tell when the castings were made. I posted info on this post earlier, showing where they are. :)
 
It's a "mutt" or a "frankentractor" to some degree.

You've got a '47 engine, a '47-54 hood, a '59-63 grille, a post-'55 underslung muffler, a Zenith carb from the 1970's...

The poor tractor has had a hard life before it got to you.

What's important, though, is the tractor runs and drives well, and you are happy with it.
 
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