400 or 450

[artc]

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a friend took a few pictures of a basket case he knew the owners were interested in selling, as they only seem to have green tractors in their collection. it was bought at auction and driven around, but had an engine problem, we are told. it has two hood emblems, one side 400, the other 450. serial number 23xxx.

so its either a 1955 400, or a 1958 450. i bought it but won't get to pick it up for a couple of weeks to check casting codes. can anyone tell which model it is from the dash, assuming they were a little different?

[SONNY]

I thought the dash panel on 450 was black---at least that is was an old timer told me one time! thanks; sonny

[Jim Becker]

Not sure I'd trust paint color to determine model, but I believe what Sonny said is correct. I think the 450 steering wheel had the large hub with a center cap. Again, the steering wheel may have changed over the years. But that gives you 2 votes for 450.

[Dusti Snider]

The only 450 I've ever been on had the steering wheel with large center cap and covered spokes just like the wheel. The 400's had a steering wheel like the letter series...I belive it to be a 400.

[Jim Becker]

But that gives you 2 votes for 450.

Oops. I meant to say 2 votes for 400.

[artc]

and the verdict is.............. its a 450. the casting codes are all "D", 1958. and the engine is a C281, not the C264 found in the super M and the 400.

the engine is what i expected. it spun #4 rod bearing and marked up the crank. the PO got it that far apart and realized he was not going to get away with bearings only, and lost interest. broken cast oil control rings on 2 and 4, so far, but it doesn't matter. it needs head work, a sleeve and piston kit, crank grind, and bearings.

or it would make someone a good puller, if they wanted to rework it that way. i wont get to it for a while in any event, other projects