A brief History lesson:
Engine blocks were stamped with a serial number after they passed QC Testing/Inspection. ALL 9N and 2N Models had their serial numbers beginning with the "9N" prefix -there is no such thing as a '2N' prefix serial number. The Ford-Ferguson 9N tractor, was introduced on June 29,1939. The '9' designating model year, and the 'N' simply designating it the tractor model. Serial numbers used a STAR (*) symbol before and after the number to designate it used steel cylinder liners. ALL 9N, 2N, and early 8N models used this identifying method, not just tractors, but ALL Ford engines. In mid-8N production the symbol was changed to a diamond symbol ( <> ) as Ford switched to cast iron sleeves in their engine blocks. On February 10, 1942, ALL production was ceased at every Ford plant per the US WAR BOARD directive so raw materials could be delegated for use toward ordnance production. Note that every US manufacturer too was required to follow this directive, not only Ford. The '2N' model tractor was allowed to be made with the '2' designating model year, 1942, but production was not started until October, 1942. The 2N would have steel wheels, no electrics, magneto, and a few other changes to allow critical metals (brass, copper, zinc, aluminum) to be used for ordnance and thus with a new model, Ferguson was able to get a price increase. Henry Ford was only the tractor manufacturer and against a price increase but Ferguson was the distributor and thus had control at that time. The 2N 'War Time' Model was then produced but by April, 1943 had been obsolete as Ferguson was able to convince the President that famers needed standard tractors at home to keep farming production going at home and for the war effort. He was successful and thus the restrictions were lifted and Ford slowly got back to producing standard 2N models on rubber with starters, batteries, and generators. The Ford-Ferguson Model 2N was produced from 1942 thru 1947. On July 7, 1947, the new Ford 8N Model was introduced. Henry "Harry" Ferguson had been let go by Henry Ford II after he took over the company upon his grandfather's death. The reason being was that Ferguson was making all the profits on tractor sales (implements too) and Ford was actually losing money manufacturing the tractor. The 8N Model was produced from July, 1947 thru September, 1952. The NAA Model, released in September, 1952, produced 1952-1954, was named the 'Jubilee' (for 1953 models only) in honor of the 50th year anniversary, 1903-1953 of FOMOCO. Upon Harry Fergusons' dismissal at Ford, he promptly set up his own company in Coventry, England to produce his own tractor, designated the "TE20" using 9N blueprints but revamping them to include his own ideas such as an overhead valve engine and a 4-speed transmission -items he originally wanted on the 9N model but was overruled by Ford engineering. At the same time Harry had also filed suit against Ford for using his 3-point hydraulic system patents illegally. The case was in the courts for several years before it was finally settled and he only receiving about 1/10th of his original damages. Ford had secretly began improving the Ferguson System of draft control and designing their own hydraulic system before the end of 2N production anyway, and thus the 8N had an improved system adding POSITION CONTROL to the up til then system of DRAFT CONTROL only system. The NAA Model used a whole new hydraulic system and thus the lawsuit had no bearing on Ford misusing the Ferguson patents any longer. The bottom line is both men wanted to improve farming for the betterment of mankind and with their combined efforts succeeded in doing so. Neither of them at the time was capable of accomplishing this on their own. The Ferguson system, or a derivative of it, is still being used today in almost every tractor model being manufactured. All of this is written about in just about every legitimate book on Ford Tractors. research more on your own with authors Randy Leffingwell and/or Robert Pripps.
Tim Daley(MI)
