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Hot Rods Old Ford car serial number lookup

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by daveheld, Dec 12, 2017.

  1. daveheld
    Joined: Oct 3, 2007
    Posts: 40

    daveheld
    Member

    i have what i believe to be a ford car frame from the 1940s and i'm trying to verify the serial number. I have only been able to locate a VIN lookup on bob drake's website, but that is inconsistent with the number / description i have. Looking for another source or verification of the VIN / serial number. The numbers are *2195656* This number (including the stars) was located on the driver's side frame rail near the rear axle.

    any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
    dave
    Cocoa Beach FL
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  2. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,055

    alchemy
    Member

  3. daveheld
    Joined: Oct 3, 2007
    Posts: 40

    daveheld
    Member

    thank you.... the 1948s range from 2,071,118 to 2,374,315
    my confusion is that the 1935 serial numbers also range from 1,234,357 to 2,207,110
    In each case, my 2,195,656 falls between.
    Can you offer any info on how that can be? Thank you very much for helping.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  4. In the case of my 34 ford, the first 2 numbers {18} of the serial number indicate it's a V/8 car. The rest of the numbers are sequential build numbers.
     
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  5. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,055

    alchemy
    Member

    I never noticed that before. It seems that the war is when they changed the serial numbers again. I guess you are just going to have to show us pictures to identify.
     
  6. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,055

    alchemy
    Member

    Does your frame have inner boxing that is the same direction as the outer rail like [[, or does the inner box form an actual box like []?
     
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  7. daveheld
    Joined: Oct 3, 2007
    Posts: 40

    daveheld
    Member

    here is a picture of the frame. hopefully that helps
     

    Attached Files:

  8. oldolds
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 3,570

    oldolds
    Member

    Measure how long it is. That is the difference between Ford and Mercury.
     
  9. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,055

    alchemy
    Member

    Yep that's a 48 Fomoco. I know the Mercs had the front crossmember farther forward than the Ford to increase the wheelbase, but not sure if they lengthened the rails as well.
     
  10. redo32
    Joined: Jul 16, 2008
    Posts: 2,264

    redo32
    Member

    1946-8 Ford wheelbase is 114. Merc is 118. I was going to say measure from the center of the spring crossmembers, but I'm a dummy. The springs are not centered over the axles like a Model A. The rear axle bumper is close to the centerline, I don't have the measurement of the front spring offset from the axle center.
     
  11. daveheld
    Joined: Oct 3, 2007
    Posts: 40

    daveheld
    Member

    thank you... i'm looking to install a custom front suspension... can you tell me how to locate the front axle centerline? I have nothing to go by, as i got a bare frame, no suspension, no point of reference... no bumpstops up front. Thanks again... dave
     
  12. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,248

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    Here's a diagram to show where your rear axle sits relative to frame. You need to work from there depending on wheelbase. What body do you have going on the frame? Personally I would wait until I had body and fenders on to ensure wheels are centred in front and rear fenders before I used the electric glue gun.:D
    frame.jpg
     
  13. daveheld
    Joined: Oct 3, 2007
    Posts: 40

    daveheld
    Member

    thank you for the dimensions... that is exactly what I need... I was able to find such drawings for a variety of cars and trucks, but nothing for my frame... and it was doubtful what year frame I had to begin with... thanks again! As far as which body, i have a local "woodie" builder and this was one of his old throwaway frames. I design suspensions and accumulate all the frames I can. My typical platform is classic ford trucks, but i have branched out with my new front suspension design to fit a wider variety of vehicles.
    Dave
    Cocoa Beach FL
     
  14. mr.chevrolet
    Joined: Jul 19, 2006
    Posts: 9,108

    mr.chevrolet
    Member

    electric glue gun.... I like that.
     
  15. daveheld
    Joined: Oct 3, 2007
    Posts: 40

    daveheld
    Member

    i have another one... I looked at the previously posted links hoping i would be able to resolve it on my own... recently I purchased a 1952 Mercury M7 Big Job with a 337 flathead. The only ID tag I could locate was on the passenger's side engine firewall. It reads:
    STYLE C2C-81A
    BODY NO. 16490
    FOBP- 2760
    41
    I'm guessing Style is the engine type - 81A, but 81A is not a 337 - so I'm confused.
    The body number 16490 - no idea what that's about, those numbers are not consistent with anything i've read.
    BOBP - 2760 again, no idea
    41 - that's just a two digit number in the four row on the VIN plate...

    any assistance would be appreciated.
    thank you and Merry Christmas
    dave
    Cocoa Beach FL
     
  16. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,055

    alchemy
    Member

    81A means 1938 Ford parts in pre-war speak, but not in your case. I think the prefixes all changed by the time 1952 rolled in.
     

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