Fairbanks Morse Z Model

[Trak]

I am trying to determine the manufacture date of a Fairbanks Morse Z engine. Not sure of the serial number it is difficult to read. It could be K2B50430 or K2350430. Also what do the Letters K and B mean. I don't have the engine in my possession at this time so getting info is difficult. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Trak

[David M. Lyon]

Sounds like a number used on the late 40's "ZC" 6 to 8 horsepower enclosed crank engines. I personally don't know of a serial number list for those engines.

[Trak]

The info I have says all Z engines have a 6 digit serial#. and it is definitely a Z engine. On the engine it is stamped like this K2 350430 and I am thinking 350430 would place the manufacture date 1919 or 20 because Late 1918 serial numbers started with 340000. Non of this accounts for the letter K and the 2 so I am confused.

[David M. Lyon]

A few photos will help. Is it an open crankcase or closed crankcase engine?

[Trak]

The engine 4,500 miles away. I will try to get more info.

[David M. Lyon]

You'll have to use your zoom lens!~

[Trak]

I don't have a zoom lens that big so I just made a phone call. The engine has an closed crankcase.

[David M. Lyon]

There are two possibilities. The 6-8 horse engines built in the late 30's-early 40's, But I don't think their numbers started with a "K". Or, after 1949, Fairbanks Morse sold the rights to the small stationary engine market to a firm in Kansas City and all of their serial numbers started with a "K" for Kansas city. They built thousands of the "ZC52" engines for oil field use well up into the 50's and possibly later than that.
BUT! ...there is still no known year model list for the Kansas city engines.