Is it possible to date my 28CCPU?

[Eccentric Old Guy]

When I bought it, it had a model B engine already installed. I think maybe the engine was re-stamped to match the original title....but, I don't know for sure. There was no data plate on the firewall.

It has the red steering wheel, hand brake by the gear shift.

Except for the engine change and rear bumpers, everything seems correct for a 1928......what else can identify the date of manufacture.

The engine number is 5031333

Thanks in advance....EOG

[rfitzpatrick]

I like your PicUp, I haven't a clue how to date it

[1955cj5]

I'm not sure if this applies to the 28's but on my 29 there is a date stamped up-side-down on the fuel tank, driver side, just above the seam, in the engine compartment.

There has been much discussion on just what this date means, whether it is the tank assembly date, test date or date it was assembled to a body, or something else, but it is interesting.

Here is a picture of mine.

[40-A Twins]

Gas tank firewall section should have a date stamped on it. This is the date stamped in mine, but this tank is not original to this car.

[WTSHNN]

You may have a gas tank date like others have said.

If you have the restoration guidelines you can start going through things to narrow down a date of assembly. There's as much a chance that your truck is a Frankenstein of parts as it possible its all original so don't hang your hat on one thing. The center mounted pistol grip brake is June-Nov of '28. But look at other components and you'll whiitle it down to a month or so time-frame.

https://model-a-ford.org/product/mod...-complete-set/

You can use this resource to check very specific details on your frame as well.
http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/frame/...20assembly.pdf

[jb-ob]

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Not directly helpful on vehicle dating but you are starting to loose that head gasket. I wish I hadn't learned that one the hard way.......

[lrf]

That's a beautiful truck, drive her and enjoy her. As suggested, look at the guidelines, I see many 1929 features. LRF

[Eccentric Old Guy]

Originally Posted by jb-ob

Not directly helpful on vehicle dating but you are starting to loose that head gasket. I wish I hadn't learned that one the hard way.......

Thanks.....I'll check into that.

On the drivers side of the engine, there is dark staining from the head gasket. I believe that is what you are referring to. That staining appears to be dry, and may have been there for some time.....definitely prior to the time I have owned this ccpu...just shy of two years now.

I checked compression, and is about 60 lbs on all cylinders. The gage is an old one, so not sure how accurate the measurement is, but it was consistent with all cylinders.

eoc

[Eccentric Old Guy]

Originally Posted by lrf

That's a beautiful truck, drive her and enjoy her. As suggested, look at the guidelines, I see many 1929 features. LRF

I see......what are the '29 features you are noticing?

[Eccentric Old Guy]

Originally Posted by 40-A Twins

Gas tank firewall section should have a date stamped on it. This is the date stamped in mine, but this tank is not original to this car.

Originally Posted by 1955cj5

I'm not sure if this applies to the 28's but on my 29 there is a date stamped up-side-down on the fuel tank, driver side, just above the seam, in the engine compartment.

There has been much discussion on just what this date means, whether it is the tank assembly date, test date or date it was assembled to a body, or something else, but it is interesting.

Here is a picture of mine.

Thank you for this information.....I will be checking for this date on the gas tank soon.

Like someone else said, there is always the possibility that my 28ccpu is a "Frankenstein", and could be a number of parts are not original to it. I'm not sure when, but there was a frame up restoration at some point in it's lifetime. When I bought it, the gas was very old and discolored. My best guess is that it's been at least 10-15 years since it was last driven.

There was a terrible oil leak in the rear main crankshaft bearing, and the truck is currently at a local model A Ford club member's place, who is now repairing the oil leak. I probably won't have it back in my possession for a couple more months.

eoc

[mercman from oz]

Neat 1928 Ford Model A Pick-Up

[ronn]

love the all black!

[AYooperA]

Whatever month & year your pickup was produced, she sure is a Beaut. I do have a question regarding the date stamp on the left side of firewall. My 1929 does not have a date stamp. I was wondering if some A’s did not get date stamped in production or perhaps it is a replacement tank from Ford?? John

[Crankster]

Just be yourself! Try to find common interests, and some soft music. Good luck!

[WTSHNN]

Originally Posted by AYooperA

My 1929 does not have a date stamp. I was wondering if some A’s did not get date stamped in production or perhaps it is a replacement tank from Ford?? John

According to this linked article the known stamps were between May of 28 and August of '29.

A lot more info about the date stamps is located there.
http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/studie...ND%20CODES.pdf

-Tim

[AYooperA]

Thanks WTSHNN, that link does a nice job of detailing the gas tank date code. It describes that date codes were before or even after engine #s. Probably a function of lead times of body to the production of complete vehicle. My engine # is from 2nd week of September 1929 and would go along with the described no date stamp era of the A.

[katy]

I see it has the "early" doors, the same as "26-'27 model T. Methinks the back of the cab is "early" also.

[Bob C]

Are these threaded bolt hole here?

[Eccentric Old Guy]

Originally Posted by Bob C

Are these threaded bolt hole here?

As I mentioned earlier, the truck is at a club members place for doing some work, so I can't check at the moment. Here's a closer photo, which looks like they might be threaded holes. They are not on the passenger side. If they are, what significance would it be?

Most of the photos I'm showing you here, are from the original eBay add when I purchased it. The title was from TX, but it was physically in NM, and owned by a classic car outfit in CA. I had it shipped to MT.

[rotorwrench]

If it has a model B engine which the number seems to indicate then the frame number is going to be the best way to find out the general time of production. The only problem is that it's under the front left corner of the cab. The cab will have to be lifted & apron moved to see it.

Not all gas tanks were dated and they are too easy to swap out. Characteristics may help but it has been too many years for them to have any accuracy. There are plenty of "Bista" model As out there with bits a this or bits a that.

[RalphS]

That looks like a Model A engine with a Model C head and waterpump. A Model B engine would have its serial number stamped on the top half of the bell housing, not on the engine. And the number has one too many digits to be a 28 engine. Does the crankcase have a removable cover for the oil pump like the 28's had?

[Keith True]

That's a B engine.It has the fuel pump boss,and no oil return pipe.

[Eccentric Old Guy]

Originally Posted by Keith True

That's a B engine.It has the fuel pump boss,and no oil return pipe.

Yes, correct.....it's a model B engine.

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by Eccentric Old Guy

As I mentioned earlier, the truck is at a club members place for doing some work, so I can't check at the moment. Here's a closer photo, which looks like they might be threaded holes. They are not on the passenger side. If they are, what significance would it be?

Most of the photos I'm showing you here, are from the original eBay add when I purchased it. The title was from TX, but it was physically in NM, and owned by a classic car outfit in CA. I had it shipped to MT.

If they are 6-3/4" from the bottom of the top hinge to the center of the holes
then the cab was built between Jan. 1929 to June 1930.

[john charlton]

The two threaded bolt holes are for the rear view mirror stanchion some were fitted here not at the visor .

John in Suffolk County England .

[History]

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Originally Posted by Crankster

Just be yourself! Try to find common interests, and some soft music. Good luck!

Don't go too fast either or try and rush things.


Seriously there are people who are sexually attracted to vehicles and have been caught doing crazy things on camera. That's a beautiful truck, sexy!!!!!!

[Eccentric Old Guy]

Originally Posted by History

Don't go too fast either or try and rush things.


Seriously there are people who are sexually attracted to vehicles and have been caught doing crazy things on camera. That's a beautiful truck, sexy!!!!!!

Really? Well History, your comment did make me laugh, and thanks for the compliment, but I acknowledge there are things, attitudes and beliefs in this crazy life that I am completely unaware of!

I realize there is another thread about what precipitates the attraction to 1920s vehicles is for us that have them......and, I suppose my comment would be just as relevant there as it would be here, but here it is: When I was a young boy, I had a fascination for drawing antique vehicles, and hot rods. That fascination never did go away when I reached manhood......so, here I am, the owner of a 28ccpu as a retired old fart!

eog

[31Tudor]

Originally Posted by Eccentric Old Guy

I see......what are the '29 features you are noticing?

Some of the non-28 items are:
No fan shroud
Not a 28 radiator, does not have the bottom holes on it for the fan shroud
Wrong tailight
Because of the engine change there are a lot of 28 features not present
No powerhouse generator.
The brake system changed quite a few times in 1928, which would help identify the frame/ chassis month anyway.

[Eccentric Old Guy]

Originally Posted by 31Tudor

Some of the non-28 items are:
No fan shroud
Not a 28 radiator, does not have the bottom holes on it for the fan shroud
Wrong tailight
Because of the engine change there are a lot of 28 features not present
No powerhouse generator.
The brake system changed quite a few times in 1928, which would help identify the frame/ chassis month anyway.

OK.....you guys have me convinced that I have a Frankenstein!!!!!

A little bit of a disappointment, but I really do love this truck!

I guess it's sort of how you really get attached to a mutt dog! Ha,ha!

[Dennis Pereira]

No need to be disappointed nice old truck.

[31Tudor]

I agree, it really is a nice truck!

[Eccentric Old Guy]

Originally Posted by Dennis Pereira

No need to be disappointed nice old truck.

Originally Posted by 31Tudor

I agree, it really is a nice truck!

Thanks guys.....it is what it is, and it's my "retirement toy".....yes, I like it!

[CarlG]

Re: Is it possible to date my 28CCPU?

You first have to get permission from her Dad

[Eccentric Old Guy]

Originally Posted by CarlG

Re: Is it possible to date my 28CCPU?

You first have to get permission from her Dad

Ha,ha......I think she's old enough to make her own decisions!!!!!

[m.ralph]

Nice truck, I've built maybe 8 of them. Your engine number has too many digits, Ford didn't build that many vehicles in that era. The numbers on the gas tank only shows month and year close to when the vehicle was built. If the gas was replaced, then it wouldn't help you date it. Just enjoy it and have fun. I'm looking for another one to build.

[Fullraceflathead]

Originally Posted by Crankster

Just be yourself! Try to find common interests, and some soft music. Good luck!

Exactly, I fell in Love with mine at first sight!!!