help me understand Ford part numbers

A

Andy69

Member
OK, I understand a lot of it, namely the 4 space prefix such as C1TZ, the middle part which is a specific part and the suffix which is an application (hydraulic lifter vs solid lifter, etc).

It's more the prefix numbers that are in the form of 01A, 99A, etc., that I am interested in. I know that particular prefix refers to a specific model/year but I sometimes have trouble nailing it down. I had a web page as a reference but it's gone down. Is there a basic primer somewhere I can use as a reference?
 
Ford Part Number Prefixes:

1932 = 18
1933 = 40
1934 = 40A
1935 = 48
1936 = 68
1937 = 78
1938 = 81A
1939 = 91A
1940 = 01A
1941 = 11A
1942 = 21A
1943 = 39A
1944 = 49A
1945 = 59A
1946 = 69A
1947 = 79A
1948 = 89A
1949 = 8A
1950 = 0A
1951 = 1A
1952 = BA
1953 = BF
 
TonyM said:
Ford Part Number Prefixes:

1932 = 18
1933 = 40
1934 = 40A
1935 = 48
1936 = 68
1937 = 78
1938 = 81A
1939 = 91A
1940 = 01A
1941 = 11A
1942 = 21A
1943 = 39A
1944 = 49A
1945 = 59A
1946 = 69A
1947 = 79A
1948 = 89A
1949 = 8A
1950 = 0A
1951 = 1A
1952 = BA
1953 = BF
Click to expand...

It's not quite that simple. Parts may be identified by those prefix numbers, apply to that year only, or apply to the following year, or to that and multiple years following. Also, a part may retain the prefix and suffix, but have been modified without updating the ID.

In most cases, a part will have a prefix, but if without a suffix, it is either the first production, or had never been modified by a suffix.
Without a prefix at all, a part may be standard fastener or such used by multiple models and years.
 
ford38v8 said:
It's not quite that simple. Parts may be identified by those prefix numbers, apply to that year only, or apply to the following year, or to that and multiple years following. Also, a part may retain the prefix and suffix, but have been modified without updating the ID.

In most cases, a part will have a prefix, but if without a suffix, it is either the first production, or had never been modified by a suffix.
Without a prefix at all, a part may be standard fastener or such used by multiple models and years.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know. He will have to get the associated reference materials to ascertain what parts are on his car or what he is looking at. My 1937 car has "68" parts and "48" parts as well as the "78" parts that are dedicated 1937.
 
Well, that's clear as mud :)

Now I don't feel so bad about getting some of the applications wrong. I have people chiding me all the time about this is wrong that is wrong with parts I have listed.
 
Andy,

I put this together for our club newsletter and it might help (please let me know if there is anything I left out):

Assignment of part numbers at Ford was not random but instead was approached in a logical manner. Blocks of basic part numbers (groups of numbers) were assigned according to their function. An example of this is that the engine components were assigned numbers from 6008 through 6856 (a complete list of these basic part numbers is contained in the table). Continuing the example within the block of numbers “6050” was assigned to the cylinder head. This number would continue to define the cylinder head as future parts were identified by new prefixes and suffixes. When later V8’s required a different cylinder head for each side of the engine the left head continued to be numbered “6050” while the right head was designated “6049”. A prefix was added to the basic part number representing the application for which the part was first used. These prefixes are shown on the illustrations at the back of the “Green Bible”. All Model A (1928-1931) part numbers began with “A” for passenger vehicle and “AA” for heavy trucks. When the 1932 vehicles were introduced the part numbers began with “B” for the 4 cylinder and common parts, with “18” for the parts unique to the V8 and with “BB” for the large trucks. Any Model A parts that were used in the 1932 vehicles were renumbered. Any part that was unique to the Model A retained the “A” prefix. This concept is important to the Model A owner because it explains why some Model A parts in the suppliers catalogs carry a “B” prefix while others have an “A” prefix. The model year 1932 was the last time that Ford would completely renumber all of the parts. In 1933 the prefix was “40” for the passenger car, “46” for the commercial and “BB” for the large trucks. Parts that remained the same from 1932 were not renumbered. If after the original release of the part a change was made such that the part was not functionally interchangeable a suffix was added to the part number beginning with ”A” and extending through the alphabet. That is to say the initial release of the part would have no suffix, the first revision would be identified by an "A" suffix and the third would carry a "B" suffix.

Ford Basic part Numbers

(The following information is from the Ford Chassis Parts and Accessories Catalog dated November 1950 and has evolved slightly since the Model A era.)

1012-1244 Wheels, Hubs & Drums
1350-1498 Spare Wheel Carrier
2004-2441 Brakes (Service)
2442-2597 Brake Controls
2600-2866 Brakes (Hand)
3010-3446 Front Axle
3503-3743 Steering Gear
4000-4799 Rear Axle
4803-4906 Coupling Shaft
5000-5194 Frame & Brackets
5230-5293 Muffler & Exhaust Pipe
5300-5469 Front Spring
5484-5494 Stabilizer
5505-5799 Rear Spring
6008-6856 Engine
7000-7449 Transmission
7501-7620 Clutch
8005-8458 Radiator
8501-8592 Water Pump
8600-8665 Fan
9002-9326 Fuel Tank
9349-9417 Fuel Pump
9424-9488 Manifolds, Clamps, etc.
9502-9685 Carburetor
9700-9819 Accelerator, Throttle & Choke Control Rods
9902-9974 Carburetor
10000-10449 Generator
10505-10653 Cutout & Voltage Regulator
10655-10722 Battery
10732-10732 Battery Support
10844-10990 Instrument Cluster & Ammeter
11002-11383 Starter Motor
11450-11587 Starter Switch
11646-11673 Lighting Switch
12000-12388 Ignition Coil, Distributor, Condenser
12405-12410 Spark Plug
13002-13324 Lamps (Head, Parking & Cowl)
13402-13799 Lamps (Rear & Dome)
13801-13919 Horn
14176-14615 Wiring
15001-15709 Miscellaneous Accessories
16000-16157 Front Fender
16160-16446 Rear Fender
16450-16548 Running Board
16550-16590 Shield
16604-16960 Hood
17005-17125 Tools
17254-17293 Speedometer
17450-17647 Windshield Wiper
17679-17745 Mirrors
17749-17997 Bumpers
18006-18197 Shock Absorber
18204-18998 Miscellaneous Accessories
20039-S - 97015-S Standard Bolts, Screws, Nuts etc.
350001-S - 359932-S Special Bolts, Washers, etc.

The final change to the part numbers was a couple of years ago when Ford decided that anyone utilizing the Ford part numbering system was infringing on their intellectual property. In all fairness to Ford they were probably trying to combat “gyp” parts being produced for current model cars (remember, Henry warned us about “gyp” parts). Now antique parts suppliers can pay Ford to use the Ford part number system but most have chosen to make up their own numbers. Of course no one talks to each other and now the parts numbers really look like “they were pulled at random from a box much like lottery numbers.”
 
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Thanks Charlie. I knew some of that, but there is some new stuff there that is very helpful.

I always scratch my head when I find, say, a bearing with a B prefix that's in a box that is obviously not that old. Makes me wonder sometimes exactly how many applications various part numbers have.
 
Just to add, in 1939 the Mercury cars came onto the scene so prefixes changed to suit and many of them cross over to Ford cars.

99A was associated with 9-for 1939, again 9 for 239 CID, and A for passenger car.

Part prefix association was generall pinned to the first model that used the part until a part had a major change, then the prefix would change. Minor changes in engineering just changed the last suffix letter. A for first change, B for second, etc.

Mercury cars were:

99A for 39
09A for 40
19A for 41
29A for 42

The war changed a lot of stuff and after the war all cars had 239CID if they were a V8. The 60-HP engines stuff had their own prefix and the 9N 4-cylinder & G model 6-cylinders also had their own prefixes. Pickups(commercials)had -C and Trucks-T after the year and engine designators in the prefix.
 
Andy69 said:
Thanks Charlie. I knew some of that, but there is some new stuff there that is very helpful.

I always scratch my head when I find, say, a bearing with a B prefix that's in a box that is obviously not that old. Makes me wonder sometimes exactly how many applications various part numbers have.
Click to expand...
Ford stopped changing numbers in 1932. I think the tire valve stem may still carry a "B" prefix. I am sure there are others.

Charlie Stephens
 
As an ex Ford parts guy (30+ yrs ) I can shed some light on your problem. The prefix was issued the year the part was introduced. But, some earlier numbers are superceded to a later part number, so the year of intro sort of goes out the window. You really need to get parts books if you really want to I.D. some of this stuff you have.
The center 4 digits are what we call the basic number and this is where you start to look up a part. For example, a grill basic is 8200. Doesn't matter the year. Find that basic and you look to find the rest of the part number with the prefix and suffix if applicable. the suffix applies to changes in a part.
An easy example is part number C6TZ 8200-A,
C=1960-1969 Decade
6= 1966 year
T= model (Truck )
Z= Engineering designation and not really important
8200 = grille
A= Used to mean 1 change, but by the early 1950's it means first design

It's an easy system to learn, much easier than GM and all numbers. THe new prefixes have no year designations. Example is YS4Z, only by repetition of doing parts, you learn what some of the new stuff fits . The example I gave was early Focus.
Hopefully, this helps.
 
Andy69 - if you are just here to gather info to use the Ford Barn so you can go elsewhere ( Ebay ) to sell you Ford Parts and make money and have fellow Ford Barn Members bid against the world -
No can do.... not going to happen.

You've already tried to spam all your Ebay ads.


Guys are trying to help and in return bid EBAY ads ?



Administrator.
 
In addition to B & BB prefixes, there's 46, 52, 79, etc. etc. in the pre-WWII years.

There was no 40A prefix. '33 and '34 share the same prefixes, namely 40, 46, and BB, as well as carry over parts from the '32 model year with B and 18 prefixes.

Except in unusual circumstances, parts that are unchanged (except for packaging) carry the original part number prefix. For example, all of the passenger car/commercial vehicle front wheel bearings are the same from 1932 through 1948 and therefore they always carry the B part number prefix despite the passage of 16 years (because they remain the same identical parts).
 
Cob said:
Andy69 - if you are just here to gather info an duse the Ford Barn so you can go elsewhere ( Ebay ) to sell you Ford Parts make money and have fellow Ford Barn Members bid against the world -
No can do.... not going to happen.



Administrator.
Click to expand...

I'm not here to deceive anyone. I have a bunch of Ford parts, which I intend to sell. That's why I bought them, because I make extra money to fund my car hobbies by buying and selling things, and I got a great deal on a huge lot of parts.

I don't know old Ford parts like I know 60s-70s Chevrolet parts. I figured perhaps you folks would be willing to help a guy out. We all have creative ways of funding our addiction, so I figured I'd be in like company. If that's not the case that's fine. I'm more than happy to figure out another way to smooth over the bumps in the road.
 
DavidG said:
In addition to B & BB prefixes, there's 46, 52, 79, etc. etc. in the pre-WWII years.

There was no 40A prefix. '33 and '34 share the same prefixes, namely 40, 46, and BB, as well as carry over parts from the '32 model year with B and 18 prefixes.

Except in unusual circumstances, parts that are unchanged (except for packaging) carry the original part number prefix. For example, all of the passenger car/commercial vehicle front wheel bearings are the same from 1932 through 1948 and therefore they always carry the B part number prefix despite the passage of 16 years (because they remain the same identical parts).
Click to expand...

I've seen that, especially with bearings. The trick I've found is in figuring out which years that part number covers. It might work in applications through the 70s or even 80s but a parts book from the 50s of course won't indicate that.

That was good info, thanks.
 
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Always good to have this volume on hand.
 

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Barry, regarding a suffix A, it designates a renumbered part when subsequent suffix letters do not obsolete the original part, which explains a part with no suffix in a box with an A suffix. If obsoleted, it just goes away, no part, no suffix. As with so many things, there are exceptions, oversights, and unexplained oddities.
 
ford38v8 said:
Barry, regarding a suffix A, it designates a renumbered part when subsequent suffix letters do not obsolete the original part, which explains a part with no suffix in a box with an A suffix. If obsoleted, it just goes away, no part, no suffix. As with so many things, there are exceptions, oversights, and unexplained oddities.
Click to expand...

My understanding of the A is that it's the primary application. Or rather, the first application. Say, a solid lifter cam,and then a hydraulic lifer cam is added, and that becomes B.

The suffix is for variations on the same part for the same year. I guess that's not entirely correct?
 
Andy, before a suffix B is designated, there would be no suffix A. Continued production of both parts are identified thereafter with A and B, or whichever later suffix survives.
 
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