Help decode serial number
 

The 38 Ford truck serial number on my frame has a letter "I" as the last digit.

It looks exactly like this on the frame *18-464258I*

Would my serial number be 464258?

or

Would it be as the Vanpelt website list serial numbers such as 18-4, 64258I?

The "I" being a number 1 even though it is a definite letter "I"?

I was not reading the number correctly the last couple of months due to rust/dirt etc...

Re: Help decode serial number
 

The "I" stands for a 1 (one).

Re: Help decode serial number
 

Your serial number is 18-4642581 and it indicates that the engine was built in August of 1938.

Re: Help decode serial number
 

Thanks fellas the "I" had me confused a little.

Re: Help decode serial number
 

How did you come up with the engine being built in aug.,38?

Re: Help decode serial number
 

There are several sources for engine build numbers. I used DeAngelis book "The Early Ford V-8 Book" You can also get the information from The 1938-39 Ford Book published by The Early Ford V-8 Club.

Re: Help decode serial number
 

Re: Help decode serial number
 

The only info that can be gleaned from your serial number is that it has the 85 HP V8 engine (indicated by the 18- prefix; 60 HP vehicles had a 54- prefix), and the approximate month the engine was built. The number following the prefix is just a sequential production number for the engine/transmission unit. When the engine/ trans unit was bolted into a chassis, the number on the bellhousing was copied onto the frame rail. A higher numbered engine/trans may have gotten bolted into a chassis before a lower numbered engine/trans. There is no info about body style, etc. encoded in the serial number. 1/2 ton pickups and panels were built on the 112" wheelbase passenger car chassis and are in the same serial number series.

Re: Help decode serial number
 

After removing my cab from the frame yesterday I found this......a circular date type stamp with the letter D followed by the numbers 37. Also the number 12 to the right of the date stamp.

Would this mean the block was cast in December 1937?

Also, when I had the heads and intake removed the aluminum intake had a date stamp of 11-16-37 underneath.

Re: Help decode serial number
 

My 1/2 ton '34 Ford pickup has a BB prefix before the serial number on the frame. I guess that means it came originally with a 4 cylinder engine?

Re: Help decode serial number
 

Oops! I misspoke. The prefix to the serial number on my '34 pickup is "B I8-".

I have heard of some '34 Ford serial numbers starting with a "40" prefix (presumably be they are a Model 40). Anyone actually seen that prefix?

Re: Help decode serial number
 

B prefix denotes 4 cylinder. BB prefix is big truck (or a pickup that was equipped with the granny gear 4 speed instead of the 3 speed passenger car trans that was in most pickups).

Re: Help decode serial number
 

I have a BB pickup with the 4 speed. Is 4th as high as 3rd would be in a three speed?

Re: Help decode serial number
 

The forth gear was VERY low. Many called it the "Granny gear". Think of it a s a good gear for pulling tree stumps.
In a modern vehicle that first gear would rarely be used at all.

Re: Help decode serial number
 

I think 4th is straight through just like 3rd is on a 3 speed. Are you calling 4th the lowest gear or the highest gear?

Re: Help decode serial number
 

i believe that was misunderstood, high gear, 4th gear in this case, unless an overdrive, is always 1-1 ratio, same in the three speed. big power and low highway speed is achieved by the rearend ratio.