For your convenience you can either scroll down or click the links below to
go directly to your model.
9N 2N 8N Golden Jubilee (NAA)
Figuring out what model you have is generally more of an art than an exact
science with N Series tractors, more than a few have been modified or repiared
with bits and pieces from here and there by industrious owners - some
of those owners could get pretty inventive when the need arose! Don't be
discouraged if you realize that your tractor is one of the many hybrid
9N/2N/8N's floating around. It's still a good old tractor that will provide
you with years of reliable service, or if restoration's your main goal, years
of intriguing mysteries and curious riddles to solve as you sleuth your way
through old barns, parts stores and antique auctions looking for that one
last piece....
The following table doesn't include every change or means of identifying your
tractor but it covers some of the basic visual and mechanical changes and is
a great place to start. Just remember going by serial number alone isn't
always 100% accurate. N Series engines could easily be swapped from one model
to another from 1939 all the way to 1952. Even after the distributor was
changed from front to side mount all that was needed was a little tweaking
here and there and a 1939 engine could be dropped straight into a 1952 8N.
The best advice we can give is to gather as many clues together as possible,
sift through them until you seem to have a majority of clues leaning toward
one particular model and run with it. If all else fails and every clue just
seems to lead to another mystery send us an e-mail and we'll see if we can
help you nail it down.
NOTE: There is a great deal of debate regarding the timing of certain mechanical
changes. We have noted most changes based on the most commonly accepted years
combined with our own experience and have included the officially documented
serial number associated with the change whenever possible.
Identifying Your Old Ford Tractor
Covers Ford N Series Tractors from 1939-1952 and the NAA (Jubilee/Golden Jubilee)
Locating Your Serial Number:
Serial Numbers were not stamped very deeply and can easily be covered by dirt
and rust or simply be worn and faded from time. If you're not lucky enough to
have a perfectly preserved and easy to read serial number it may take several
tries to get it all down. You'll probably have to view the numbers from
several different angles under different lighting conditions. A few tricks for
very worn numbers include pencil rubbings or rubbing soapstone or chalk over the
serial number until the numbers are filled in and become visible.
Placement:
9N, 2N and 8N: N Series serial numbers are hand stamped on a small
rectangular plate on the left-hand side of the engine just below where the
head attaches to the block, directly to the right of the oil filter.
Early Golden Jubilees: The serial number was stamped into the left side of
the block just below the head.
Later Jubilee's (NAA's): The serial number was moved to the left side of the
transmission case just below where the starter is attached.
Back to Top
9N
1939-1941
9N, 2N and early 8N serial numbers begin and end with a star and contain a model
prefix. 9N AND 2N serial numbers begin with the prefix 9N so serial number 10233
for example would actually read *9N10233*.
1939
Beginning Serial Number 1
1. Solid gray
2. Hood emblem is chrome with a blue background.
3. The first 600-3,000 tractors (estimates vary widely) had cast aluminum hoods, side panels
and grills. After the initial production run hoods and side panels were steel.
4. Steering column and dash are cast aluminum.
5. Key switch is located to the right of the steering column on the dash
panel near the oil gauge.
6. The ammeter, starter button and red ignition light are located on the
dash to the left of the steering column.
7. 4-spoke steering wheel with a chromed center cap.
8. Decorative winged cast aluminum chromed radiator cap.
9. Gear shift knob and top 4 inches of gearshift lever were chromed.
10. Front Mount Distributor (1939-1950 serial number 263843 mounted dead center
on the front of block - somewhat resembles a turtle).
11. The generator and generator pulley are the same diameter.
12. I-beam style radius rods.
13. Cast Iron screw-on PTO cap.
14. Right and left brake pedals are interchangeable.
15. Clip-on style battery and fuel covers.
16. Front Axle grease fittings are on the front side of the axle.
17. Smooth one piece cast hub and axle.
18. Fenders have two creases.
19. Left link arm is threaded at the bottom on some of the earliest
models (very rare).
20. Two Brush Generator
Back to Top
1940
Beginning Serial Number: 9N10276
1. Hood and side panels are steel; the aluminum grill remained until
1941.
2. Key switch was first moved to the lower right side of the dash, then
to the lower left side of the dash before finally being placed on the
left hand side of the steering column.
3. Serial 12499 - The starter button was changed to a safety interlock and
moved from the dash down to the transmission shift cover just forward of
the gear shift lever. The shape of the base on the starter button changed
as well. Before After
4. A freeze plug was added to the center of the engine block on the left
hand side
5. 10 x 28 wheel became available.
6. The one piece cast hub and axle was replaced with a two piece riveted
axle and hub.
7. The fenders were changed from a two-rib style to a one-rib style.
8. The clips on the battery and fuel cover door were changed to a hinge.
1941
Beginning Serial Number 9N46018
1. The red ignition light was dropped.
2. The steering wheel was changed from a 4-spoke wheel to a 3-spoke
plastic covered wheel with a chrome acorn nut and washer.
3. A new steel grill was introduced with vertical rather than horizontal
bars.
4. The grease fittings on the front axle are moved to the rear.
5. The left and right brake pedals are different and are no longer
interchangeable.
6. Serial Number 47508 - Gasket for the gear shift cover changed from 8
holes to six
7. The dash panel was changed from cast aluminum to cast iron. It was
then changed again from a one piece cast iron column and dash to a two
piece cast iron steering column with a steel dash plate.
8. Serial Nmber 47508. The transmission/hydraulic oil check was was moved
from the side of the transmission housing to the top and a dipstick was
added. Prior to this Ford owners had to rely on visual inspection through
a plug.
Early 1942
Beginning Serial Number 9N88934
Back to Top
2N
1942-1947
Unlike the 9N's and 8N's the 2N never had its own serial number prefix. 2N
serial numbers begin with 9N which can occasionally lead to confusion. For
example a 2N serial number would read *9N99004* despite being a 2N model tractor.
Mid - Late 1942
Beginning Serial Number 9N99047
Due to wartime restrictions on materials, the 2N was originally introduced
with steel wheels, a hand crank, a magneto - instead of a battery and
generator - and an easily accessible choke on the front near the grill.
However, by the end of 1943 Ford was able to begin building 2N's with rubber
tires, batteries and starters and eventually implemented the following
changes:
1. The grill was modified to include 4 vertical slots running up the
middle.
2. The steering wheel underwent another change. Ford retained the 3-spoke
design but the spokes were now bare metal.
3. 10 x 28 tires became standard.
4. Another minor but noticeable change included the addition of a
mounting bolt on the dogleg on the lower front side panel just below
and in front of the axle that was accessible from the outside.
5. The 2N had a magneto from 1942-1943
1943
Beginning Serial Number 9N105412
1. New pressurized radiator.
2. The Radiator cap was changed to an ornamental black cap (same winged
shape).
1944
Beginning Serial Number 126575
1. Radiator support changed to stamped steel.
2. Serial Number 164488 front axle pin change
1945
Beginning Serial Number 9N170018
1946
Beginning Serial Number 9N198767
1947
Beginning Serial Number 9N258540
Back to Top
8N
1947 - 1952
8N serial numbers begin with the 8N prefix and still have stars at both ends.
However at serial number 247570 in 1950 the engine sleeves were changed from
steel to cast iron and the stars were changed to diamonds. For example a serial
number prior to the change would read like this *8N37907*. A serial number after
the change would read à8N*****à. A second important note on serial numbers
and changes has to do with production year vs. model year. The first 8N's were
turned out in July of 1947 but were released as the 1948 model tractor. On
occasion a running production change might be implemented in one year but
technically be on the following years' model. A change made late in '49 might
only be seen on models sold as a "1950". Serial numbers are based on production
dates but are generally classified by model year hence the confusion. Grown men
have come to blows over this issue and more than one puller has stormed away from
an argument with a NAPTA official, red-faced and furious over the
reclassification of his tractor. In order to keep things simple we have noted
changes by serial number whenever possible.
July 1947
Beginning Serial Number 1
1. The first and most visible change is the color. The 8N was the first
tractor to deviate from Ford's "any color as long as it's gray" motto.
The 8N was released with a striking "Ford Red" belly beneath a light
gray hood and fenders.
2. 8N's were the first N Series tractor to sport a 4- speed transmission.
3. Running boards were added.
4. Ferguson's name was removed from the grill (the Ferguson hydraulics
were still in place however)
5. The three-spoke steering wheel was now solid plastic.
6. Position control was added to the hydraulics.
7. Both brake pedals were placed on the right-hand side of the tractor.
8. Front wheel rims were still 4.00-19 but the center hole had been
decreased and the new rims used 6 lugs instead of 5.
9. Removable brake drums.
10. "Ford" was scripted in red on the hood.
11. The steering wheel sits higher on the 8N than it does on the 9N and
2N to accommodate the new steering gear box.
12. The steering gear was changed from a sector gear to a recalculating
ball design. It was then changed again at serial number
216989
13. The seat was hinged.
14. A regulator replaced the cutout used on the 9N and 2N.
15. The rear axle is threaded and attached to the hub w/ a nut and snap
ring and the shaft and the housing is modified to make room for an outer
retainer.
Back to Top
1948
Beginning Serial Number 8N37908
1. A straight stem valve replaces the engine's "mushroom" valves.
2. The front radius rod on the 8N was changed so that it attached to the
axle with a pin instead of a hex head bolt.
3. 4 blade fans became standard and 6 blades becomes optional.
4. 3 Brush generator with a straight up and down face and an adjustment
screw for high or low voltage, pulley remained the same (1948-1949)
1949
Beginning Serial Number 141370
1. Cylinder head studs and main bearing cap studs were changed to bolts.
2. The pistons were changed from steel to aluminum with chrome top rings
3. A thrust spring was added to the camshaft.
4. Serial Number 216988 Ford introduced a new steering box with tapered
sector shafts, this in turn necessitated modifying the dash to create
more room for the larger steering box.
5. The rear axle was modified to make room for a new inner oil seal
6. A third hole was added to the lift control (top rocker).
7. Serial Number 237337 pin for hydarulic lift yoke/control (top rocker)
changed
1950
Beginning Serial Number 8N245637
1. Serial number 247570 - the oil pump gear was changed from 9/16" to 3/4"
2. Serial number 247570 - sleeves changed from .040" steel to thicker .090"
cast iron sleeves and a diamond was added to the serial number to indicate
the change
3. Serial number 248893 - Brake springs changed
4. The chrome shifter knob is changed to black plastic.
5. Serial number 263843 - The side-mount distributor is introduced
(many consider this a 1949 improvement but as mentioned earlier
we're going by serial number whenever possible for accuracy). Changing the
distributor also necissitated changes to the fan belt, wiring and lower
radiator hose.
6. Serial number 250596. The carburetor was changed from the Marvel-Schebler
TSX33 to the TSX241A
7. New larger oil filler cap with a replaceable filter
8. Serial number 290271 - The new dash and proofmeter were introduced
10. The governor was adapted to work with the proofmeter
11. The Ford name was added to the fenders.
12. Serial number 263843 - The generator underwent another metamorphosis.
The bracket now had a slight bend and the generator returned to the
two-brush style with no adjustment screw.
Back to Top
1951
Beginning Serial Number 8N343593
1. Serial number - 421621 The exhaust valves were changed to a free
rotating style and thelifters became adjustable
2. One of the last remaining aluminum pieces, the hydraulic pump base,
was changed from aluminum to cast iron.
1952
Beginning Serial Number 8N442035
1. Serial number - 451958 In 1952 the front tie rods/draglink and spindle
arms were changed. The new tie rod had a longer stud and used a pin and
castle nut instead of just a pin and cotter key, using the castle nut
required that the spindle arms be bent upward slightly to clear the nut.
2. The rear lift arms were thickened for added strength and durability.
3. A fill hole for the steering box fluid was added to the steering
column.
4. Serial Number 488753 The rear axle is modified again. An inner oil
seal is added, the outer retainer is discontinued and the outer oil seal
is changed.
Back to Top
1952/1953
Beginning Serial Number: 1
1. "Red Tiger" 4 Cyl. overhead valve engine with 6.6:1 compression and
cast alloy cylinder sleeves.
2. The new N Series model boasted a temperature gauge.
3. "Live" hydraulics replaced the Ferguson system as a result of the
patent lawsuit lost by Ford.
4. The Jubilee retained the distinctive red and gray color scheme of the
8N, but was both larger and heavier - an additional 3.87 inches was
added to the wheel base and both height and width were increased to
74" and 119" respectively.
5. The hood and grill on the NAA/Jubilee were a huge departure from the
low profile N Series hoods, the center of the hood swept upwards to a
rounded peak that flowed backward across the hood. The slotted
openings in the grill were removed and replaced with evenly spaced
vertical bars.
6. Along with the redesigned hood and grill came a new hood emblem
occasionally referred to as the "cyclops emblem" due to its
resemblance to a large eye on the front of the tractor when seen from
a distance. The emblem for the Jubilee model contained a wheat stalk
on a red background in the center of the emblem surrounded on the outer edge by
"Golden Jubilee Model 1903-1953. When production of the anniversary
edition of the NAA ceased the words "Golden Jubilee Model" were
removed from the emblem and replaced by a ring of stars around the
emblem's outer edge
1954 NAA
Beginning Serial Number NAA77475
Back to Top
*Note: The prefix NAN in an N Series serial number (i.e., 8NAN, 9NAN, 2NAN)
indicates that the tractor was a dual tank "kero-burner". The NAN's were more
popular in Europe than the US. They were started with gas, allowed to warm up
then run on kerosene. NNN in the serial number indicates an industrial
engine.
