Frame numbers
 

What is the manufacturer date of a model A with frame numer
A3162594?

Re: Frame numbers
 

Looks like April 8, 1930.

Re: Frame numbers
 

Your engine was stamped at the Rouge on April 8, 1930. From there it was sent to an assembly plant somewhere in the US. Once the engine was dropped into a frame the engine number stamped into the frame rail. So if you're asking when your car was built it was sometime after April 8th 1930.

For more info on that whole process check out this video.
https://youtu.be/qv7JNE9bQ0k

Re: Frame numbers
 

Paul, and all, we can use this website to pinpoint the date -

http://modelahouse.com/cgi-bin/enumbers/numdate

Re: Frame numbers
 

A rule of thumb is that the Model "A" or "AA" engine number was stamped into the frame within 90 days of the engines foundry date. So the foundry date of April 8, 1930 likely went into a vehicle on a Ford assembly line in the period of April, May or June.

Re: Frame numbers
 

Ford was building some of the lower price vehicles at a high enough rate that most engines were mated to frames within a month but stuff could get backed up at times. Three months is within the approximate range so there is no way to nail down the day or even the week that a car was completed.

Re: Frame numbers
 

Thank you all for the info. and video on the frame number.

Re: Frame numbers
 

That is a great link, thank you.

Re: Frame numbers
 

I have a Model A engine (painted red) that likely was an "Allstate" replacement engine.

No number. Never had one from the look of the numberpad.

Do you think anyone would mind if I numbered it A20000001?

There may be a dozen (plus one original) already.

Joe K

Re: Frame numbers
 

Bare replacement blocks were not numbered but they may have the little diamond shaped casting mark just above the timing gear cap on the right side front of the block. No diamond casting mark would indicate that is was cast during regular model A production. The blocks cast post production were subcontracted out so they have the foundry's diamond casting mark. Block characteristics changed during the model A production but a person has to know what those subtle changes are to identify them. ALSO: Model B blocks look the same but they were numbered on the flywheel housing instead of the block so it could be a model B engine.

As far as marking it, all I can say is at least use stamps that replicate what Ford used depending on date of manufacture. Replica stamp sets are available including the star.

Re: Frame numbers
 

So could a person simply unbolt the flywheel housing and move it from engine to engine? Is that number visible with the engine in the car?

Re: Frame numbers
 

Didn't the Model B block have a mounting location for the fuel pump below the valve cover? That would clearly differentiate it from a Model A block...

Re: Frame numbers
 

Yes there are many changes to the B block some early ones also had a pad cast on the left side for a vacuum pump that never went into production. They have bigger bearings and if you go late enough it'll have a counter balanced crank.

Re: Frame numbers
 

Neither the B block nor the V8 block had serial numbers stamped on unless done by an outside source. The B numbers were stamped above where the starter bolts in on top of the flywheel housing. The V8s had the numbers stamped into the top of the half bell in the transmission just above the access port there. Ford also started stamping the frame where a person could see the number in the B era.

Re: Frame numbers
 

There is a thread on another site about this dealer tag. It's not known if that is the date it arrived at the dealer or when it was first sold.
It nearly 5 months after the engine was stamped in Dearborn on 11-18-30.