Newbie needs help

[MikeNNCC]

I recently acquired my first Cletrac and have little to no knowledge on these below are all the numbers I located on a tag. I could not read anything but the numbers and not what they were. I am not sure how much info these numbers can provide, but anything I can learn would be a great help. any help would be greatly appreciated

IXK3

3-1/8X4

008

2408792

Many thanks
Mike

[Blake Malkamaki]

That's the Hercules engine model, bore and stroke, and serial number last. Not sure what the 008 is.

[MikeNNCC]

Blake
Am I correct that this comes back as a 1940 HG?

Mike

[Jack in NB]

I have a suspicion that the 008 might be valve clearance. Dunno if it was hot or cold!

[Lowspeedlife]

Mike,
If it still has the tractor SN plate it will be located either on the flywheel housing right hand side, or the right frame rail just in front of where the large "U bolt" that wraps around the drive housing, bolts to the frame.  The IXK3 engine was first used in 1940 but continued to be used until 1950. If it has any of the original paint or decals they can be helpful in dating an HG/OC3. There is a link on the Cletrac.org page that will take you to a list of updates on the HG/OC3 tractors. If you still have difficulty in dating it, next time you need parts, Zimmerman's may be able to give you a date with the engine SN. Good luck & welcome to the forum
Scott

[Blake Malkamaki]

Sorry Mike, I don't have a Hercule serial number list so can't use your engine serial number to find the year.

Here is the link to the HG updates over the years http://cletrac.org/media/tech/Hg_Cletrac_production.pdf

[Lowspeedlife]

Mike there is another way that may help you date your machine. Cast  into the block on the right hand side, behind the magneto is a six number date. This is the date the engine block was cast at the Hercules engine factory. It is my understanding that cylinder blocks were allowed to "season" for a year before they were machined & assembled into engines, so your should be about a year, + or -, newer than that date.

Scott
Edited for stupidity**

[oliverchris]

"2408792"

that engine serial number does not look right for an IXK of that vintage, so it might be a replacement unless you've read it wrong, which is easy to do when covered in oil or worn etc.

What's useful to know is that IXK's after 1285102 have the cheaper/easier insert type bearings, as opposed to babbeted [=poured] bearings = $$$s

But if yours is 1240879, let's say, then it has babbeted bearings.

.008 is the valve clearance, as stated, when warmed to working temperature.