JCB 3 1963 - Where do i find a VIN Number to prove its age?

[Christopher Bremner]

Help from JCB gurus required please.

I have to prove my JCB 3 was manufactured in 1963 to be road tax exempt.
The original V5 was lost and the previous owner re-registered it in 1986 on a Q plate.
There's a VIN & engine number on the V5 I have but I want to match these with the machine.

thanks very much.

[essexpete]

If the skid is Fordson, which I guess it will be there should be an engine number on a machined part of the block behind /above injector pump. If it has the original Fordson firewall/bulkhead (not sure on the JCB 3) There should be a Fordson plate on that as well.
You can check Fordson castings for date stamps as well. It would be likely that the engine may not be original to the skid.

[smithhymac]

The serial number is on an aluminium plate on the top of the offside rear mud guard, it's A4 paper size and never survives!

[Christopher Bremner]

I have seen one of the a4 size aluminium plates on a 1964 machine but mine does not have one.

I have just put in a 1964 fordson super major engine from a 64 JCB 3C but I still have the old engine which I think is original to the machine.

thanks guys. I will have a better look at the skid.

[essexpete]

I have seen one of the a4 size aluminium plates on a 1964 machine but mine does not have one.

I have just put in a 1964 fordson super major engine from a 64 JCB 3C but I still have the old engine which I think is original to the machine.

thanks guys. I will have a better look at the skid.

Check out the Fordson forum with the New Major section that might help you locate the casting number positions.

[jcb-mad]

A JCB machine of that vintage would have the month and year it was built as part of the serial number. Usually the last the digits give the built date, eg /465 would mean a machine was built in April 1965. If you write to JCB sales with the serial number they will confirm the day the machine was built and the supplying dealer
Hope this helps Mike

[essexpete]

A JCB machine of that vintage would have the month and year it was built as part of the serial number. Usually the last the digits give the built date, eg /465 would mean a machine was built in April 1965. If you write to JCB sales with the serial number they will confirm the day the machine was built and the supplying dealer
Hope this helps Mike

I think the OP's ID plate is missing.

[Christopher Bremner]

yes, there is no plate in the cab.

Are there any jcb experts out there who can help with this? I have tried speaking to a few people at JCB and so far no one can help or don't get back to me.

I now have the original reg number and who the first owner was.

thanks

[XS650]

This cheap book on Fordson Majors E1A 's by Alan T Condie has really detailed info on the casting code dates and where to find them (its also a good read for anyone who wants to tell a Super Major from a Power Major !)
£4.50 + pp on Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fordson-New-Major-E1AS-1951-64/dp/1904686192/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404743041&sr=1-2&keywords=FORDSON+MAJOR+CONDIE

Craig