'48 f1 id
 

Howdy boys, I have my grandfathers F1 he bought new, serial number 88RY12420 (found on the left front frame rail near motor mount). I understand some 1/2 tons were stamped Y. I've tried to find the month it was built, but so far no luck. There is no plate on the glove box door. I can't find a number on the cab either, on the firewall under the seam. The engine I believe, is a '49 reman, due to the heads having the thermostat housing in the center, and the block is red in color. I understand most "truck" engines were blue at that time. The bell housing doesn't appear to have been painted. The transmission is blue. It has a rebuild tag on it from Tam Engineering, Bore -.040, Rods - .010, and Mains - .010. It ran when I got it 40+ years ago, I drove it for a couple years until I bought a new F250 in '78. So, is there a number on the block that can ID it as to the date it was built? Without the number on the cab, I can only guess at the original color, which I believe is green. It's pretty rusty, but there is plenty of green on it. I remember it being green when I was a kid, about 60 years ago. Thanks guys, always fun seeing your responses!

Re: '48 f1 id
 

There wasn't any engine or block stampings regarding production.

If you have looked on the firewall just forward of the cowl vent for stamped or painted characters without success, then you're out of options. Those characters carry the production date, color code, and assembly plant code. The practice varied by plant with some trucks seemingly lacking anything. My '49 appears to be one of the unmarked.

If the truck has a heater, the core typically has a date stencil. While not a birthday, it does get you a rough time line. The original glass should also have a date code.

As for color, check under the dash and behind the seat. Often these places will carry the original paint even after a re-spray.

Re: '48 f1 id
 

Thanks FortyNiner, kinda what I figured. Didn't know about the heater and the windshield glass. I'll take a look. The glass is getting cut for the windows now, so I'll need to check it before it gets tossed out! So, any suggestions on the engine? The 239's, the way I understand it, had the outlet for the heads in the center, mine is on the forward end. Thank you sir!

Re: '48 f1 id
 

1948 was (as I understand it ) the first year that Ford installed the 8BA series flathead with thermostat housings to the front of the heads into pickups.

1949 was when they installed the 8BA series in passenger vehicles.
There may or may not be an engine date of manufacture code stamped on the right rear top of the intake manifold surface..
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictu...ictureid=39921
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictu...ictureid=39923

Re: '48 f1 id
 

This may help iD the engine: http://http://www.vanpeltsales.com/F...ifications.htm

Re: '48 f1 id
 

Ford wanted to debut an all new line in 1948 but there were too many delays with the new car designs. The Bonus Built pickups and trucks were the only line of Ford vehicles that was ready for the 1948 model year. The 8BA family of engines were only used in those pickups and trucks up through the F6. The cars all had the 59 series engines with Lincoln cars being the only acception. Everything else bebuted in 1949.

Ford stamped some codes into the firewall for F series bonus built trucks but not the VIN. Ford did put tags on the glove box lids but a lot of them are either missing or possibly not installed on 48 models but I can't say since more than one factory assembled them and Canadian built ones always have subtle differences. My Pop had several F1s, an F3, and an F6. They all had tags on the glove box lids.

Ford used R to indicate the V8 and H for the 6 cylinder engines. Each different model of pickup, truck, or panel delivery was assigned an alpha code letter. Y was the 1- ton commercial known as the F3. The F1 was C and the F2 was D.. The code letters are explained in the chassis parts catalog for standard trucks below F7.

The 59 series engines with the top enter coolant outlet were last used in production on the 1948 cars. Pickups were 8BA/8RT in the 1948 Bonus Builts. The 59 series will bolt in so it may have been swapped out but it's not original. V8 truck engines were red in 1948 if I remember correctly.

Re: '48 f1 id
 

Are there any date codes in the glass “glass bugs” the letters equate to the years, that may get you a little closer.

Re: '48 f1 id
 

Great responses guys, thanks! I have some investigating to do! I'll keep ya posted.

Re: '48 f1 id
 

51 Merc CT, what does the hexagon with "E" in the center refer to? Thanks.

Re: '48 f1 id
 

At this point, nothing known.
Could be the ID if the guy who stamped the date code, or anything you want it to be.

Re: '48 f1 id
 

Unknown inspectors stamp. Inspector stamps would be used after the block cleared certain processes during the machining and assembly. No one alive to tell us much anymore.

Re: '48 f1 id
 

#5009 is the Serial Number found on the left front of the frame rail. #5011 is the data plate on the firewall. #5013 is the top of the block. #5014 shows two numbers, a "3" and a "2". #5015 shows what must be an inspector stamp in a diamond? #5016 show a "3". #5017 shows a "D".

Re: '48 f1 id
 

#5018 shows a "69" and "5594", which is the number on the reman tag from Tams Engineering. #5019 shows an "A" and maybe another "A". #5020 shows a "2" and a "6" or could be a "9". Underneath the "2" is the valve clearance setting, I assume, intake .014 and exhaust .018, looks like to me. #5021, valve settings. #5022 show either an "8" or a "3", hard to tell. #5023 shows a circle with "77" in it, a large "6" and a smaller "8", perhaps in an Octagon.

You guys are much more knowledgeable than I am at this stage, so there ya go. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Thanks guys, hope I haven't confused you!

Re: '48 f1 id
 

Uh, looks like the pictures didn't make it. Here ya go.

Re: '48 f1 id
 

My 21 stud 1937 block has some of those random, individual numbers or letters stamped into the top surface. I think those are an inspector's mark, not really communicating anything most of us are interested in, like what day it was built or what vehicle was it installed in.

It looks like you have two broken head studs to contend with, at least they are sticking above the head surface.

Re: '48 f1 id
 

Yup, seems like you always break a couple. Damn it!