The identification of John Deere Parts at times, are not as simple as providing a serial number of a machine, or a serial number of an engine, and then the parts are looked up in the parts catalogue. Experience has proven that this method is not as straight forward was many, including myself, would prefer it to be.
To begin with, lets start with John Deere water pumps. Using a 4045 John Deere engine as an example, perusing the parts manuals would reveal many different water pumps that may fit a 4045 engine. Taking into consideration that there are 4045, 4045D, and 4045T engines, the number of water pumps available will increase. In some instances, the application (e.g Ag,or Construction) will assist in zoning into the correct pump. However, in almost most cases, the combinations of pumps would require additional information. In this case, the number that is casted on the old water pump is needed. This is known as a “Casting Number.” On the housing of the pump, a number will be embossed.
Typically, this begins with the letter “R” or “T.” Thus, both T29701 and R55971 are John Deere water pump casting numbers.
The 4045 John Deere engines made in Dubuque, with no turbocharger, will have a water pump part number of RE21177. The part number of the housing is AR80109. John Deere will list both of these numbers as having a casting number of R59049.
The turbocharged John Deere Dubuque engine will have a water pump part number of AR77142. The housing part number is AR80116. This engine water pump has two different casting numbers, R90784, and R104648. Provide these numbers to your aftermarket parts dealers when requesting a new water pump, or a water pump overhaul kit.
This casting number phenomenon is not restricted to water pumps only. When ordering an engine overhaul kit, the piston number, and the connecting rod casting numbers are sometimes required to identify which components are compatible.
Marine engines, as compared to construction engines, will have slightly varying components. An engine block for the marine engine for the 4045 engine can be slightly different from the engine block for a 4045 tractor engine. Both are made for different applications, and can be different. Marine engines are specially designed for continuous operations.
To answer the question as to whether an engine block from the marine can be interchanged for an engine block from a generator, for example, two things must be done.
One, compare the casting numbers on both blocks. This is embossed on the side of the cylinder block. If the two numbers are identical, then the interchangeability is possible.
Two, compare the SAE housings of the two engines. It’s no use switching engine blocks around, to find out at late that the SAE housings are different, and therefore, the transmission cannot be bolted on.
While writing on the issue of John Deere casting numbers, other relatively simple information is invaluable in identifying correct parts and part numbers. A simple as it may sound; the exact model of the machine is needed. A 310 backhoe is not the same as a 310G backhoe. The serial number of the machine is also needed. A serial number will include the engine model, and the machine type. John Deere’s online system offers a free service whereby the serial number of the machine is inputted, and JD’s data is provided.