Pre 1940 Ford Part Numbers

[Fredb_]

I have picked up a lot of NOS Ford parts. Many are pre 1950, but do not have part# starting with "A". Is there a reference guide to identifying pre 1940's Ford/Merc parts? I know that parts from these decades start with these letters.
A-1940
B-1950
C-1960
D-1970 etc.

Thanks, Fred

[Kurt in NJ]

The number/letter in front of the base part # give a clue to the model it was used on , the letter after the part # is more about updates to the part --except for hardaware, then it is about finish

[Lawson Cox]

Generally these are correct prefix for stated years.

1932 part prefix is 18
1933-1934 40
1935 48
1936 68
1937 78
1938 81
1939 91A
1940 01A

Hope this helps

[Bob C]

The A prefix would be 28-31.

Bob

[rotorwrench]

Get yourself a copy of the 1928 to 1948 Chassis Parts Catalog known as the green bible. This would be your most used reference for old FoMoCo parts in that era.

Ford started a new prefix system in 1947/48 to cover the 8BA era on. I think A was for the begining but followed the 8B part of the prefix and B began the prefix in 1952 or so with a few oddballs and cross overs like the FAA prefix.

If you have body parts, they have numbers over 20,000 after the prefix and usually include the model number of the vehicle.

[Fredb_]

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Thanks guys this helps. Is the famed "Green Bible" that I always hear about on here available or do I have to find a used one? Fred

[rotorwrench]

Reprints are available from most Ford brand restoration parts vendors. You will pay more for a decent original copy.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Fredb_

Thanks guys this helps. Is the famed "Green Bible" that I always hear about on here available or do I have to find a used one? Fred

Gary in La currently has a real one available in the swap section. Click the link below. DD

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135983

[Charlie Stephens]

Larson,

Speaking as a banger guy, the prefix on the 1932 four cylinder parts (and those common to the V8) was B and the 1933-34 4 cylinder parts was 46 (the parts common to the V8 carried a 40 prefix). The V8 60, commercial vehicle applications and the later 4 cylinder had their own numbers but I don't have them handy.

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

Generally these are correct prefix for stated years.

1932 part prefix is 18
1933-1934 40
1935 48
1936 68
1937 78
1938 81
1939 91A
1940 01A

Hope this helps

[Bruce Lancaster]

...and there are a bunch more prefixes to cover truck parts and V8-60, and by '39-40 some Merc parts with their own prefixes were used in Fords...so better get a green Bible!