Intil run on the No.12 8T and No.12 9K
I made a TRIP (several decants into the slushy snow) over to see the No.12's as the snow melts off..To see if I could find some Serial Numbers, tag numbers or casting dates.
The No.12 9K had all the correct numbers.... S/N Cab COE tag, Chasses S/N tag and engine S/N tag   S/N  9K9320

I was not so lucky on the No.12, 8T  No tags or stamped S/Ns were found on first intil run. However I did find 'one' Casting Date of (NE AR) or 03 54 (adding 3 to 8 months curing time) gives a rough estamate of mid to late 1954 shipping date. According to Caterpillar Parts Book (form UE032887) p.33 the 8T has two (2) Complete Govenor Gourps and eight ( Basic Govenors:
8T000001 ~ 8T000581 ic., cover assem. 4F3454
8T000582 ~ 8T000812 ic., cover assem. 4F3454
8T000813 ~ 8T001779 ic., cover assem. 4F3454
8T001780 ~ 8T007705 ic., cover assem. 6F6943
8T007706 ~ 8T011094 ic., cover assem. 6F6943
8T011095 ~ 8T013713 ic., cover assem. 4F3454
8T013714 ~ 8T013887 ic., cover assem. 4F3454
8T013888 ~ up.                cover assem. 4F3454
The govenor cover assme. part number on my 8T is 6F6851 could that be an updated number of one the OEM cover assem. OR a mix match ?
Cat SIS dose not have info on the 8T or 9K but did refer me to microfiche ... I don't have that yet.
I'm hopping for the number 8T7705 personal reasons

Anything else I should be looking for or at?  don't be afrade to tell me I'm all Fu-wrong-ed up.. I've got a PhD in Fu-wrong-ed up....
Piled higher and Deeper.
Thanks for any help.

Hi, Fat Dan.
The serial number 'SHOULD' be stamped into the frame under where the original serial number tag was rivetted. That said though, I do know of another case of an obviously Cat grader frame in DowNunda that does not appear to have any serial # on it anywhere.

Just my 0.02.

Does it have an oil cooled clutch? Is there a cover plate provision for direct electric start.
Couple of items to get you in the ball park.
Should have the engine s/n stamped on the pan mounting flange below the transfer pump area.

Old Magnet : Oil Cooled Clutch is that the same as a wet clutch?
My 955 12A's have what is referred to as a wet clutch and dose have three (3) studs and a cover plate for the direct starter under the pinion clutch. So I'll run down and look at the 8T in a bit.
Deas Plant.: I will look super well using a few old tricks now I know where to concentrate....
THANKS guys

Pan Mounting Flange stamp under transfer pump... OK.... helps me remember if I type it out ..... self notes
list Get glasses , paper pencil , light oil ,camera , ProGo

This is the engine number/serial number I'm referring to...This is the engine number/serial number I'm referring to...  

I went down to lake 8T LOL😂 and looked very close at the nose chassis where the tag had been and found the holes from the tag. Could not see any stamped markings under the where the tag was nor anywhere close. I did take pics and a video.
On the left side under the pony is the cover for the timing mark.
On the right side .. again I looked very close at where the tag had been finding the hole for the pins that held the tag.and no markings could be seen.
The starter boss was pronounced but left blank .... no holes
The pan mounting flange was very hard to see at the moment ... I didn't feel like going swimming today... though in the process of trying to get a picture of the mounting flange I was able to get another casting date off the oil pan (D UA AE) or 9/15/53.
Extremely hard to get a view of the mounting flange. In a bad video I could see a raise boss on the pan mounting flange under the fuel transfer pump but I could not get under the grader at this time to scrape the oil n dirt off to get a good look.
And the Thick Plotens. or something like that.
Totally, totally forgot to look n see if it is a wet clutch.
THANK you 

Old wrote:

This is the engine number/serial number I'm referring to...This is the engine number/serial number I'm referring to...  

 

O' boy Ol' Magnet and I thought this was going to be hard ... LOL
Somehow I missed your pic; I had already got back and made a short video on looking for the S/N numbers before I saw your pic.... Now I know exactly where to look I can see I have a whole ½ inch between the frame and the mounting flange. I took a few stills of the area so I'll go through those tonight and head over tomorrow to do a third lintel recon. Remind me to grab my bore-a-scope.
Old Magnet I can't say how much I appreciate your help. You help and teach a lot of people here for not.... No smoke here .. I think you are a true man among men - an unsung hero - to give of yourself and ask for neither prase nor money. From top to bottom Thank you.
Fat Dan

No factory cover plate for direct electric start puts it prior to 1955 and no oil clutch.

Again Thank you

Second Recon data