The Ford Barn

Panheadguy · 08-30-2022, 02:25 PM

Got a B engine to play with. Number on flywheel housing is BB54081664. Just for fun can someone date this for me?

Bob C · 08-30-2022, 04:45 PM

I think that number is wrong. The last number Vince shows on his site is
B5356180 Dec. 15, 1939. Maybe David has more info.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABenginenumbers.htm

DavidG · 08-30-2022, 07:32 PM

After the letter prefix, there should be seven digits always commencing with 5 on U.S.-made engines, as Bob C notes. Despite being no longer used in vehicle production after April, 1934, the fours continued to be made until 1941 for service requirements and as industrial engines.

Without a correction of your 8-digit number, dating of the engine's build will have to wait.

Panheadguy · 08-31-2022, 08:05 AM

Sorry fellas. This morning the number looks more like 5408166.

Lawson Cox · 08-31-2022, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panheadguy

Sorry fellas. This morning the number looks more like 5408166.

Yeah. Things clear up when you are sober. ROFLMAO

DavidG · 08-31-2022, 10:45 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I think that there is still a problem with the number, even with the elimination of the 4 at the end. While I cannot access my Rouge Engine Plant log book copy at present, the data in the DeAngelis/Francis book has the data well past the end of the end of the use of the engine in U.S. vehicle production and that data was taken from the Rouge log book. Through August, 1934 the highest engine number was 5292536. While it is believable that another 63,644 engines were produced in the following 2 years and four months, it is much more of a stretch to believe it could have been 115,630 for service and industrial applications.

Panheadguy · 08-31-2022, 11:21 AM

I'll get a good photo of the numbers and put up.

highbeams · 08-31-2022, 01:15 PM

Someone please unfuddle me . . . I thought that Ford did not 'go' by engine number; I have the misconception Ford 'went by' transmission bellhousing number for ID because engines, over the years, 'get pulled'; also the three frame locations for the ID number.

I have the frame number viewed @ steering column end.

My '33 3w has no number on the transmission bellhousing; the floor shift is not a straight-formed stick as it should be for '33, it is a '39 'lazy S' -I describe it as- a typical '39. (?)

highbeams · 08-31-2022, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panheadguy

Got a B engine to play with. Number on flywheel housing is BB54081664. Just for fun can someone date this for me?

Can't do that, but I'm from Cedarburg as well! I have two bros that live in those parts, Grafton and Saukville. (The Cedarburg Malone farm was settled in 1855; barn(s) & 1874 two-story Cream City brick house still there. The farm is now Malone Meadows, two miles north of Cedarburg on Washington past 5 Corners. (used to be Hyway 143)

A pleasure to meet you, Panhead!

DavidG · 08-31-2022, 01:54 PM

They are referred to as engine numbers even though that actual number was only stamped on the transmission bell housing. Except for service post production engines and transmissions all engines that left the engine plants destined for the assembly plants to be installed in vehicles consisted of the engine and transmission as a single, assembled unit.

08-30-2022, 02:25 PM	#1
Panheadguy Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Cedarburg WI Posts: 33	Engine number info Got a B engine to play with. Number on flywheel housing is BB54081664. Just for fun can someone date this for me?

08-30-2022, 04:45 PM	#2
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,359	Re: Engine number info I think that number is wrong. The last number Vince shows on his site is B5356180 Dec. 15, 1939. Maybe David has more info. https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABenginenumbers.htm

08-30-2022, 07:32 PM	#3
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: Engine number info After the letter prefix, there should be seven digits always commencing with 5 on U.S.-made engines, as Bob C notes. Despite being no longer used in vehicle production after April, 1934, the fours continued to be made until 1941 for service requirements and as industrial engines. Without a correction of your 8-digit number, dating of the engine's build will have to wait.

08-31-2022, 08:05 AM	#4
Panheadguy Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Cedarburg WI Posts: 33	Re: Engine number info Sorry fellas. This morning the number looks more like 5408166.

08-31-2022, 10:45 AM	#6
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: Engine number info Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I think that there is still a problem with the number, even with the elimination of the 4 at the end. While I cannot access my Rouge Engine Plant log book copy at present, the data in the DeAngelis/Francis book has the data well past the end of the end of the use of the engine in U.S. vehicle production and that data was taken from the Rouge log book. Through August, 1934 the highest engine number was 5292536. While it is believable that another 63,644 engines were produced in the following 2 years and four months, it is much more of a stretch to believe it could have been 115,630 for service and industrial applications.

08-31-2022, 11:21 AM	#7
Panheadguy Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Cedarburg WI Posts: 33	Re: Engine number info I'll get a good photo of the numbers and put up.

08-31-2022, 01:15 PM	#8
highbeams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: California Posts: 914	Re: Engine number info Someone please unfuddle me . . . I thought that Ford did not 'go' by engine number; I have the misconception Ford 'went by' transmission bellhousing number for ID because engines, over the years, 'get pulled'; also the three frame locations for the ID number. I have the frame number viewed @ steering column end. My '33 3w has no number on the transmission bellhousing; the floor shift is not a straight-formed stick as it should be for '33, it is a '39 'lazy S' -I describe it as- a typical '39. (?)

08-31-2022, 01:54 PM	#10
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,601	Re: Engine number info They are referred to as engine numbers even though that actual number was only stamped on the transmission bell housing. Except for service post production engines and transmissions all engines that left the engine plants destined for the assembly plants to be installed in vehicles consisted of the engine and transmission as a single, assembled unit.