Identification and Serial number Help.

[DL1939]

Hello,
I'm a fairly recent new member to the Ford Barn and am a Newbie to the restoration world for that matter. I want to start by saying that this forum is awesome! It is really encouraging to a Rookie like me to know that there's such a wealth of members knowledge at ones finger tips . With out I don't think I would attempt to even try to get into to this hobby / passion of so many.

So, here we go.. I have recently Purchased to what I believe is a 1939, 122-inch - Stake, Express, or Chassis with Cab, One Ton truck that has no clear identification / serial number. I have found traces of what appears to be a serial number on the frame , near the front drivers side section described as one of the locations on here, but it doesn't follow / make sense to what I researched and found on here and links recommended to decipher. I purchased the Truck in Alberta, Canada and from information the Farmer I purchased it from, believe it was purchased and spent all of its life here in Alberta.
The truck has some pretty cool options. Attached are some pics of the truck, motor #, and Frame ser#.
Can anyone Help to what i got ?

[cas3]

original numbers are on the frame, as you found, and on the flat spot on the top of the transmission/clutch area. trans numbers are usually easier to read. next stop would be vanpelt sales web site, theres serial numbers and lots of good info there. no numbers on the motor

[rotorwrench]

Someone was trying to tighten up that front cross member shade tree style. They weren't originlly welded. I hope you can still see all the numbers there. There should be numbers in the middle of the rail and at the hump that match the numbers without the 18- that designates V8. Someone chiseld the rivets and messed up the number there.

The 81A part number on the heads is consistent with the age of the truck starting 1938 model year.

[blucar]

The info supplied in the above is very good, as to why someone removed the factory rivets from the frame, replacing them with bolts in the cross member is hard to tell.
One word ot caution.. Before you attempt to remove any of the spark plugs clean the head recess free of any debris. Not a pretty picture if any of that rust, etc., falls into the cylinder...

[JSeery]

I have a couple of fames from the 38 - 41 era and reading the serial numbers can be difficult, but they are there.

[TJ]

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I suspect the front crossmember was changed at some point due to it being broken where the spring mounts. a fairly common problem with trucks and pickups. the chisel marks obliterated part of the serial #. If you remove the cab you should find the complete # about mid door on the left frame rail. Since the bed is off you should also be able to see the # stamped about half way up the rear kickup on the left frame rail.
Interesting rear window. Looks like it may be a sliding type window. I also notice a chrome windshield frame. Also unusual for a commercial vehicle.

[JSeery]

On a car frame there are three locations, but I believe that the trucks only have the one.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by jseery

on a car frame there are three locations, but i believe that the trucks only have the one.

x2 DD

[JSeery]

Looks like *I?80737 to me, anyone else have a guess. I don't know a source for the Canadian serial numbers.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

x2 DD

Interesting, as I found the serial # on the kickup on my 41 pickup. I haven't had the cab off of it, so I don't know if that one is there or not.

[JSeery]

I have found them on a 41 pickup as well, but most of the references state car only on the three locations. My guess would be that the pickup frame is basically a car frame and the car locations might extend over.

[CSArno]

*H80737 possibly​ if that would make sense

[JSeery]

I thought it looked like an H as well, but didn't know if that was an option.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by JSeery

I thought it looked like an H as well, but didn't know if that was an option.

Well, funny that you mention that. Look at 1938 V8 85 on this list of CANADIAN serial numbers that I came across. DD

[corvette8n]

Nice truck, it has great patina, just clear coat it get it running and drive it, have fun.

[alanwoodieman]

post some close up pictures of the frame from cab back. since it has short running boards it was either cab/chassis or a platform (stake) truck. 3/4 ton had the same rims/brakes as a car/pick up. 1 ton had flat base rims with bigger brakes on front and rear

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Well, funny that you mention that. Look at 1938 V8 85 on this list of CANADIAN serial numbers that I came across. DD

Well, that is interesting.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by corvette8n

Nice truck, it has great patina, just clear coat it get it running and drive it, have fun.

Clear coat will still let rust through under the clear coat in a year. Better gibbs or 10-40w or whatever grade, every yr.

[cas3]

it took 80 years to get that look, stored inside we'll all be dead before it looks any different

[DL1939]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions..
Blucar, That is Oil saturated dirt western prairie farm trucks are famous for. pretty much a layer about 1/4" throughout. The distributor was covered also.
I believe when zooming up on the ser# it is *I or H8073* . so therefore from the attachment V8coopman would say this is a 38.. This truck has puzzled, as some research / info I find regarding options it has seems like it is a 38 ( square astray in middle of dash), then others ( Hydraulic brakes and Grill middle molding) say its a 39. I cannot attached anymore pics at this time as i get an error saying "security token is missing"?
It does have other interesting options like the sliding rear window, a Clock in glove box, head liner, massive heater in the middle / below the dash. The doors inside have metal liner with molded / formed handle in the top of the door near the window.
Thanks again for the help and I will try to attached pics tomorrow after work.

[DL1939]

Anymore thoughts on serial number making this officially a 38? To me when you zoom it looks like another * at the end/ after the 3. Does this make sense with the other options it has that insinuate that it is a 39? Maybe a Late year 38?
I purchased this thinking the engine was seized, stopped at the father in-laws to show it off as he is a Die Hard FORD GUY.. He pulled the dip stick, noticed it was 3/4 full, dirty but with no signs of water. "Are you sure this engine is seized?" he said. Sure enough I slow steady pressure to the crank that came with and it broke free. Ever since i have slowly been tinkering trying to get in running.. Had the starter rebuilt from a local Auto electric shop, new 6 V battery, New start button, Plugs and cleaned up a bit of wiring. Have voltage throughout the start circuit and Voltage to the coil, but do not have spark.. Just going to confirm Primary and secondary coil readings then maybe thinking of sending the distributor to BUBBA.
Any other suggestions?
Attached are some more pics of the options on this maybe 38 or 39..

[rotorwrench]

If there are no numbers on the hump of the left rail above the axle then there may be another number group under the cab. Those Canadian number listings are accurate for Ford Canada. If it is an H then it's a 1938 model. The 18- numbers used here in the states were a lot longer groups since they kept linear numbers from 1932 on up on the 221 V8 vehicles. Canadian number groups were kept a lot shorter with the use of the letter type prefix each year.

That old truck is is pretty good condition. The Timken rear axle is there for the one ton feature. These were used for a long time and were built well to last.

[Randy in ca]

I may have missed it in previous posts, but have you checked the top-front of the transmission/clutch housing for the serial number? They're usually in way better condition than those stamped on the frame.

[rotorwrench]

This was a good post for differences between 38 & 39 pickups but Canadian models could be different. Plus there are differences between 1/2 ton commercials and 1-ton trucks.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...?t=9073&page=2

[DL1939]

Thanks rotorwrench. I'm pretty sure that an *H to star. Like you say if so, That combined with the engine # pretty much confirms it is a 38 I think. Will confirm with the Transmission and or on the frame under the cab. What about the hydraulic brakes though? I thought they weren't realeased until 39? Or did they start earlier with the heavier trucks?
Rotorwrench, its rough in places as it seems to have the scares of a work horse.. some rust below the rear window and at the back, bottom of the cab.
But, trans seems to shift nice rolls good in neutral, so like mentioned going to hopefully get her running and leave the pitina and have fun with it. If I keep it after that I would like to get the engine built up and other mods to maybe rod it a bit. I know I could probably spend less $ and get more HP from a crate modern set up, but I think a built up flat would be more unique and just Dam cool!

[TJ]

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The hydraulic brakes could have been added by a prior owner. Not an uncommon upgrade.