Ford 3600 - HELP!

[LESchwartz]

A number of years ago I purchased a blue Ford 3600 tractor from a seller on Craigslist. Recently, I needed to purchase a new Zenith carb, but the part I received doesn't seem to be correct. Unfortunately, when I try to decode the numbers, things don't make sense. I think I may have purchased a "frankenstien" . . . Here's what I'm finding based on the numbers on the bell housing and engine block:

BL263C
9A31B
C59640
D5NN6015G

BL2 - Ford 231 Industrial 1976-1981
6 - Gas Horizontal exhaust
3 – Live PTO 540 rpm
C – 8 speed manual (4x1 + hi/low)
9A31B - Day Shift, Jan 31, 1979
C - American made
59640 - Serial number
D5NN6015G - 201 CI Engine, found in the 4000 series

Neither the "BL2" or the "D5NN6015G" seem to be for a Ford 3600. While the other information I decoded seems to match my tractor. It would also seem that it was painted industrial yellow at one point in its' history.

HELP!

Larry

 

[TractorTech]

Welcome to TBN!
The engine would have a serial number on the RH bottom of the block stamped just above the oil pan with a C to indicate it has a 192 cid engine for a 3600 or 231.
The casting number just indicates that is the block of the period. It coukd have been a BSG332 or 333.
With that transmission, it could be either a 3600 or 231. Color is the difference, so it could have shipped as a 231.
Either way, the carburetor shouldn't makeca difference what you have. Ford offered a Zenith or Holley carb for its gas engines.

 

[TractorTech]

What is wrong with the new carburetor and what was wrong with the old carburetor?

 

[LESchwartz]

I purchased a Zenith 13914 carb, which was supposed to be for the 3600. The new carb starts easily, but dies when I try throttle up. I purchase a new carb (rather than rebuild the existing one) because the old carb was a Zenith 13912, which would seem like the carb for the 4000 series. I assumed the previous owner had just slapped on the wrong carb. The old carb appeared to be leaking fuel as well running rich, as my flail mower is covered with soot,

The serial number on the engine block appears to be D455780.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Nice looking 3600. Our 1980 3600 is a diesel and has set outside for the last 40 years and goes by Rusty.

 

[LESchwartz]

it could be either a 3600 or 231. Color is the difference, so it could have shipped as a 231.

The reference data I'm using indicates the 231 had the 150 CI engine, while the 3600 had the 175 CI. My old carb looks to be the Zenith 13912 for the 201 CI engine.

With all the mismatching stuff I'm seeing on this tractor, it would be good to see the reference material you all using . . .

Thanks,

Larry

PS: Here's a link to the reference data I've been using: https://newholland.manualvault.com/...6/Ford-Tractor-Model-Information-Version3.pdf

 

[LESchwartz]

Nice looking 3600. Our 1980 3600 is a diesel and has set outside for the last 40 years and goes by Rusty.

Thanks! Our family's previous tractor was a Ford 8N, which my dad last restored in the late 90s (he passed about 10 years later). Unfortunately, the oil sump failed while my son was mowing, and you can imagine the rest. Got this one as an "emergency replacement" and it's worked great for the last decade. Unfortunately for me, I'm not nearly as experienced on these tractors as I was on the older ones.

Larry

 

[TractorTech]

Most tractors of this period have had an overhaul at some point. The D designation in the serial number indicates that the engine was either swapped for a new 201 cid BSG engine or a reman engine installed, so the old carb would have been more correct for the engine size.

I was thinking of later 3000 series models with the 192, but neither here nor there. The reference chart is right for your tractor and I think it is a 231 painted blue with a 3600 decal and a larger engine.

I think you could swap the high speed jet from the old carb to the new carb and solve your proble.

 

[LESchwartz]

Most tractors of this period have had an overhaul at some point. The D designation in the serial number indicates that the engine was either swapped for a new 201 cid BSG engine or a reman engine installed, so the old carb would have been more correct for the engine size.

I was thinking of later 3000 series models with the 192, but neither here nor there. The reference chart is right for your tractor and I think it is a 231 painted blue with a 3600 decal and a larger engine.

I think you could swap the high speed jet from the old carb to the new carb and solve your problem.

My dad used to completely rebuild one of old N-series every year, which meant a complete rebuild every third of fourth winter. Of course, we worked them all hard on a daily basis. Therefore, I'm familiar with how all these numbers can get mismatched. However I do find it interesting that whoever rebuilt my thousand-series chose to use the decal from the 3600, instead of either the 2000-series (trans) or 4000-series (engine). On the other hand, maybe that's the hood he had on hand.

Thanks for confirmation on the engine serial number! It explains why the tractor will start using the new carb, but will not continue to run when throttled up -- the wrong carb seems to be starving it for fuel. The lady at the Zenith tech line told me that my old carb was definitely for the 4000-series, which led my down the path of confirming all the numbers. I could change out the "jet" on the new carb. But I've got a carb rebuilding shop local to me, so I'll likely just rebuild my existing unit and return (or sell) the new one.

Larry

 

[TractorTech]

The thing that made/makes it a 231 rather than anything else was that it should have a shorter spindle. From your profile picture, that looks to be true.
It was sold as an LCG, Low Center of Gravity tractor-industrial. Similar to a turf tractor designation. Ford had a plethora of model offerings that sometimes, IMO, made not a lot of sense, but satisfied different markets.