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09-06-2010, 04:53 PM | #1 |
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Location: Tennessee
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Help decode serial number
The 38 Ford truck serial number on my frame has a letter "I" as the last digit.
It looks exactly like this on the frame *18-464258I* Would my serial number be 464258? or Would it be as the Vanpelt website list serial numbers such as 18-4, 64258I? The "I" being a number 1 even though it is a definite letter "I"? I was not reading the number correctly the last couple of months due to rust/dirt etc... |
09-06-2010, 05:08 PM | #2 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
The "I" stands for a 1 (one).
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09-06-2010, 05:09 PM | #3 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
Your serial number is 18-4642581 and it indicates that the engine was built in August of 1938.
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09-06-2010, 05:23 PM | #4 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
Thanks fellas the "I" had me confused a little.
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09-07-2010, 01:00 AM | #5 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
How did you come up with the engine being built in aug.,38?
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09-07-2010, 03:48 PM | #6 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
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09-07-2010, 04:05 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Help decode serial number
Quote:
In other words, an August engine does not necessarily mean an August vehicle. |
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09-07-2010, 09:02 PM | #8 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
The only info that can be gleaned from your serial number is that it has the 85 HP V8 engine (indicated by the 18- prefix; 60 HP vehicles had a 54- prefix), and the approximate month the engine was built. The number following the prefix is just a sequential production number for the engine/transmission unit. When the engine/ trans unit was bolted into a chassis, the number on the bellhousing was copied onto the frame rail. A higher numbered engine/trans may have gotten bolted into a chassis before a lower numbered engine/trans. There is no info about body style, etc. encoded in the serial number. 1/2 ton pickups and panels were built on the 112" wheelbase passenger car chassis and are in the same serial number series.
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09-09-2010, 09:54 AM | #9 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
After removing my cab from the frame yesterday I found this......a circular date type stamp with the letter D followed by the numbers 37. Also the number 12 to the right of the date stamp.
Would this mean the block was cast in December 1937? Also, when I had the heads and intake removed the aluminum intake had a date stamp of 11-16-37 underneath. |
09-09-2010, 01:03 PM | #10 | |
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Re: Help decode serial number
Quote:
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09-09-2010, 06:37 PM | #11 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
Oops! I misspoke. The prefix to the serial number on my '34 pickup is "B I8-".
I have heard of some '34 Ford serial numbers starting with a "40" prefix (presumably be they are a Model 40). Anyone actually seen that prefix? |
09-10-2010, 08:31 PM | #12 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
B prefix denotes 4 cylinder. BB prefix is big truck (or a pickup that was equipped with the granny gear 4 speed instead of the 3 speed passenger car trans that was in most pickups).
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04-05-2017, 06:38 PM | #13 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
I have a BB pickup with the 4 speed. Is 4th as high as 3rd would be in a three speed?
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04-05-2017, 08:58 PM | #14 | |
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Re: Help decode serial number
Quote:
In a modern vehicle that first gear would rarely be used at all.
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04-05-2017, 09:10 PM | #15 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
I think 4th is straight through just like 3rd is on a 3 speed. Are you calling 4th the lowest gear or the highest gear?
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04-05-2017, 09:16 PM | #16 |
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Re: Help decode serial number
i believe that was misunderstood, high gear, 4th gear in this case, unless an overdrive, is always 1-1 ratio, same in the three speed. big power and low highway speed is achieved by the rearend ratio.
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