The Ford Barn

bluestem · 09-16-2012, 01:19 PM

I have a 1935 Fordor Sedan, see pictures. Started checking the serial numbers and it appears the body is on a 1932 frame????

The number on the bell housing is 18-1883038; which would indicate a 1932; this number is also stamped in the frame to the drivers side of the engine. I also removed the body and the bolts appeared to never have been tampered with???

Does this seem right??? I have owned it for five years, but it was/is a project car. It just seems unusual to put a newer body on an older frame???

Charlie Stephens · 09-16-2012, 01:52 PM

According to "The Early Ford V8 As Henry Built It" the serial number you gave was issued to the engine transmission assembly in May of 1935. When this assembly went to the production line this number was stamped into your frame. Why do you think it is a 1932 frame?

Charlie Stephens

Ed Pitts · 09-16-2012, 01:55 PM

You are confusing part numbers with production numbers. 1935 production numbers start with 18-1,234,357 and end with 18-2,207,110. From the 35-36 Early Ford V/8 book, your car was produced in May of 1935. Ed

bluestem · 09-16-2012, 03:30 PM

Well, I am glad I am wrong!!!!

Was reading this on a WEB site:

1932 through 1937 Identification
For the first year of Flathead production in 1932, Ford issued a No. 18 serial code on these engines. In 1933 and 1934, the company stamped serial code No. 40 on all Flathead engines. For 1935, the Flathead engines bore a No. 48 code. For 1936 and 1937, the first digit in the code marked the year of production, and the second digit differentiated between Flathead engine model 60 and 85. For example, engine code 74 symbolized the year 1937, and the second digit (4) designated the engine model, No. 4 being model 60 and No. 8 signifying model 85.

So, when I saw the 18 I assumed it was from 1932.

Thanks for your help!!!! Chuck

TJ · 09-16-2012, 04:48 PM

I don't know what website you were on, but this information is dead wrong regarding serial numbers. Ford did not stamp numbers on the engines, nor did the first and second numbers indicate year and engine type. Obviously the author of this article failed to do his/her homework.

DavidG · 09-16-2012, 04:58 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Some website! While perhaps it would have been nice if Ford had done it that way (there were a few of the very first '33 engine/transmission assemblies that were stamped with a 40 prefix on the transmission number pad, but then they quickly reverted to the 18 prefix), that fact is that they did not.

Mike in AZ · 09-16-2012, 05:57 PM

some more reading for you...if you like....Mike

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm

DavidG · 09-16-2012, 06:50 PM

The title to the Van Pelt data is inaccurate and misleading. Those numbers listed are not for engines manufactured for the U.S. market. They are the numbers of the engines manufactured in the U.S. regardless of what market they were destined for.

There are no unique numbers for the RHD-designated engine/transmission assemblies manufactured in the U.S. Only the prefix (18F) was unique.

bluestem · 09-16-2012, 08:39 PM

Well, it really set me back when I read this today! I thought I knew what I had and then read this on the web site; ehow ??? See Below.

Read more: Ford Flathead V-8 Identification | eHow.com

http://www.ehow.com/info_8175707_for...#ixzz26eeLSOjf

I figured it had to be wrong; as I pulled all the fenders, body, bumpers, engine and the bolts to the body looked like no one ever tampered with the body since it left Henry's Ford plant.

GREAT web site ' The Ford Barn"

Thanks for setting me straight!!

Chuck

ford38v8 · 09-16-2012, 10:22 PM

Information and misinformation are equally available on the internet. The key to differentiating between the two is to consider the source. What are the credentials of the individual providing the information, and what are the credentials of those who disagree.

In this instance, the website Chuck referenced touts itself as being expert in everything from apple pie to heart surgery.
The Fordbarn is proud to sport experts on one subject only, that being the Ford.
Incidentaly, while not all contributors here are experts on everything "Ford", most are expert consumers of apple pie.

PeteVS · 09-17-2012, 05:59 AM

Here are some links to Wescott's website showing both the '32 and '35 frames. If you study the pix a bit and then take a look under your car, you'll see the differences. The '33 and up frames all had a massive X member. '32 had a unique K member.

http://www.wescottsauto.com/Tech/FrameDiagram1932.pdf

http://www.wescottsauto.com/Tech/Fra...ram1935-40.pdf

09-16-2012, 01:52 PM	#2
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: 1935 Tudor on a 1932 Frame?? According to "The Early Ford V8 As Henry Built It" the serial number you gave was issued to the engine transmission assembly in May of 1935. When this assembly went to the production line this number was stamped into your frame. Why do you think it is a 1932 frame? Charlie Stephens

09-16-2012, 01:55 PM	#3
Ed Pitts Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Irving, Texas Posts: 598	Re: 1935 Tudor on a 1932 Frame?? You are confusing part numbers with production numbers. 1935 production numbers start with 18-1,234,357 and end with 18-2,207,110. From the 35-36 Early Ford V/8 book, your car was produced in May of 1935. Ed

09-16-2012, 03:30 PM	#4
bluestem Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 35	Re: 1935 Tudor on a 1932 Frame?? Well, I am glad I am wrong!!!! Was reading this on a WEB site: 1932 through 1937 Identification For the first year of Flathead production in 1932, Ford issued a No. 18 serial code on these engines. In 1933 and 1934, the company stamped serial code No. 40 on all Flathead engines. For 1935, the Flathead engines bore a No. 48 code. For 1936 and 1937, the first digit in the code marked the year of production, and the second digit differentiated between Flathead engine model 60 and 85. For example, engine code 74 symbolized the year 1937, and the second digit (4) designated the engine model, No. 4 being model 60 and No. 8 signifying model 85. So, when I saw the 18 I assumed it was from 1932. Thanks for your help!!!! Chuck

09-16-2012, 04:48 PM	#5
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: 1935 Tudor on a 1932 Frame?? I don't know what website you were on, but this information is dead wrong regarding serial numbers. Ford did not stamp numbers on the engines, nor did the first and second numbers indicate year and engine type. Obviously the author of this article failed to do his/her homework.

09-16-2012, 04:58 PM	#6
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: 1935 Tudor on a 1932 Frame?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Some website! While perhaps it would have been nice if Ford had done it that way (there were a few of the very first '33 engine/transmission assemblies that were stamped with a 40 prefix on the transmission number pad, but then they quickly reverted to the 18 prefix), that fact is that they did not.

09-16-2012, 05:57 PM	#7
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: 1935 Tudor on a 1932 Frame?? some more reading for you...if you like....Mike http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm

09-16-2012, 06:50 PM	#8
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: 1935 Tudor on a 1932 Frame?? The title to the Van Pelt data is inaccurate and misleading. Those numbers listed are not for engines manufactured for the U.S. market. They are the numbers of the engines manufactured in the U.S. regardless of what market they were destined for. There are no unique numbers for the RHD-designated engine/transmission assemblies manufactured in the U.S. Only the prefix (18F) was unique.

09-16-2012, 08:39 PM	#9
bluestem Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 35	Re: 1935 Tudor on a 1932 Frame?? Well, it really set me back when I read this today! I thought I knew what I had and then read this on the web site; ehow ??? See Below. Read more: Ford Flathead V-8 Identification \| eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8175707_for...#ixzz26eeLSOjf I figured it had to be wrong; as I pulled all the fenders, body, bumpers, engine and the bolts to the body looked like no one ever tampered with the body since it left Henry's Ford plant. GREAT web site ' The Ford Barn" Thanks for setting me straight!! Chuck

09-16-2012, 10:22 PM	#10
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: 1935 Tudor on a 1932 Frame?? Information and misinformation are equally available on the internet. The key to differentiating between the two is to consider the source. What are the credentials of the individual providing the information, and what are the credentials of those who disagree. In this instance, the website Chuck referenced touts itself as being expert in everything from apple pie to heart surgery. The Fordbarn is proud to sport experts on one subject only, that being the Ford. Incidentaly, while not all contributors here are experts on everything "Ford", most are expert consumers of apple pie. __________________ Alan

09-17-2012, 05:59 AM	#11
PeteVS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FP, NJ Posts: 2,770	Re: 1935 Tudor on a 1932 Frame?? Here are some links to Wescott's website showing both the '32 and '35 frames. If you study the pix a bit and then take a look under your car, you'll see the differences. The '33 and up frames all had a massive X member. '32 had a unique K member. http://www.wescottsauto.com/Tech/FrameDiagram1932.pdf http://www.wescottsauto.com/Tech/Fra...ram1935-40.pdf __________________ Don't never get rid of nuthin!