Shift tower numbers
 

My shift tower has these numbers on the cast piece that bolts to the trans...

A-7222-C

Any significance?

Re: Shift tower numbers
 

Thanks!

Did all cast pieces include a PN?

Re: Shift tower numbers
 

Some - yes, some - no. Get a parts book reprint and then you can verify for yourself. Also a great way to identify fasteners, washers and nuts, woodroof keys. Also, when there are early and late variants of parts. A way to learn the Ford names of parts for clarity when posting on the Barn or in discussion with friends.

Re: Shift tower numbers
 

In the earlier years the number cast on the part could have been a part number. In later years the casting or stamping number was most likely an engineering number. For instance, the FE block v-8 engines could have cast with a number (6010 is a bare block casting number usually), when they were poured. That same block could have been machined to be a 330,352,360,361,390,or 391 depending on the bore and stroke.

The part was engineered to specifications, and could have been adapted for different uses depending on the application..

The base number "7222" is assigned to a part that signifies and transmission top plate or shift tower for most all vehicles. The prefix "A" generally would mean it was designed to fit a Model A. The suffix "C", would indicate that it was the third revision of that particular part. The very first part of that type would have the number "A-7222-A", the second would have been "A-7222-B" and the third would have been "A-7222-C".

Even the most minor changes could cause a part number supersession. It could have been a manufacturing process, a change in vendor, or a change to allow it to be used on earlier models as well as later models.

The part number changes could have occurred even before the part was put into production.

Ford's part numbering system was very well designed. The lowest numbers started at the ground and went up. The 1000 group parts were wheels, hubs, studs, bearing, hub caps, etc. The 2000 group parts were brakes, etc. 3000 group parts were steering and front axle, 4000 group was rear axle. 5000 was frame and exhaust. 6000 was engine and components. 7000, transmission, 8000 cooling, 9000 fuel, and so on and so on.

This system of numbering carried over into later years, but in the past few years it has become somewhat corrupted.

Using the numbering logic, (And I haven't look up these numbers to verify if they are correct), a 1928 and 29 wheel could have been a A-1015-A, when the size was changed in 30 and 31, they could have been numbered A-1015-B.

They are both wheels for a Model A, but have some difference must be accounted for.

Re: Shift tower numbers
 

Thanks, gstott!