Casting Code Missing Year?

[AL Farmall Boy]

While looking for a particular 1947 casting code on a TC unit for Al Jones, I discovered a few of my tractors had a code but was missing the letter for year. The code "tag" was very clear, had both screws on the ends, didn't show any signs of wear or tamper, and it was in the typical spot (distributor/mag side and above TC block part #). Anyone else ever saw this or know why it might be that way? I can get pictures of the different ones I saw if needed. I was looking at Farmall Super A, 100, 130, 140, C, Super C, and 200 tractors. Can't remember exactly which tractor those were on.

[Jim Becker]

I think I have seen such markings in the past. I don't remember specifics of what they were on. IH sourced castings from a variety of places, both inside and outside the company. It isn't unusual for them to have an assortment of symbols cast into them. The non-IH foundries often did their own markings. They all meant something to somebody at the time. Other than the IH part numbers, the IH date codes, and engine block marks like "C-123" or "1-3-4-2", I don't pay to much attention to them.

Louisville Works didn't have an operating foundry until some time in 1949. Before that, all castings came from somewhere else.

[AL Farmall Boy]

Ok. So I guess it is possible that a "Q" cast part (1947) could be missing the "Q". As long as you could trace other cast codes and serial number & they are reasonably close, you could reasonably guess when the part missing the letter was cast. I can re-check those.

[Jim Becker]

Ok. So I guess it is possible that a "Q" cast part (1947) could be missing the "Q". As long as you could trace other cast codes and serial number & they are reasonably close, you could reasonably guess when the part missing the letter was cast. I can re-check those.

I think that is a reasonable assumption.

To be thorough you also need to consider the part number. The first Super As had TC block 350 644 R1. Later on, they changed to 354 352 R1. (I think I got those numbers right.) Any "Q" block should be the first number. Any later block would have to be at least 1948. It appears that the later block was first installed on tractor 256539 and they completely switched at tractor 275883. Later yet, the block went to 355 349 R1 or 357 657 R1(at 326330).

[AL Farmall Boy]

Ok. Very good information Jim, thank you.

So, you are saying that at 6,538 Super A tractors in, they went to a revised TC block? Then completely switched the TC block at around 25,000 tractors in, THEN switched the block again later on at s/n 3226,330 for a total of (3) different Touch Control Blocks on the Super A alone?

[AL Farmall Boy]

Al Jones, what is the serial number of your tractor?

[Jim Becker]

Ok. Very good information Jim, thank you.

So, you are saying that at 6,538 Super A tractors in, they went to a revised TC block? Then completely switched the TC block at around 25,000 tractors in, THEN switched the block again later on at s/n 3226,330 for a total of (3) different Touch Control Blocks on the Super A alone?

Yes.