Engine numbers.

Chris Haynes

Chris Haynes

Well-known member
I have always been told that flathead V-8's didn't have an engine number. Only having numbers on the frame and transmission. Something to do with Henry Ford wanting interchangeable engines. I have two different engines and both have, what seems to be, real Ford numbers on them.
Here is one of them. Any thoughts?
IMG_1961.jpg
 
The frame number for the car actually started with the engine number, which the engines did have but how they were recorded I don't know because they are not generally seen on the blocks. Then, when the engine was installed on the frame the engine number was stamped on the frame and on the transmission housing as well as a prefix which designated the model year. Your prefix of 799A is for the 1947 model year and the 7 digit number following it is in the range of numbers for the 1947 model year - toward the end of that range. I agree with Charlie that the number on your blocks may well have been stamped there to match the frame that it was installed in at sometime after installation.
 
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I have seen at least one Model B engine with what appeared to be a factory stamped number. Model B engines and V8 engines were not supposed to have numbers stamped into them. The number for a Model B was stamped into the flywheel housing and the number for the V8 was stamped into the transmission case. The number was assigned when the engine/transmission assembly passed final inspection. This number was then stamped into the frame when the assembly was installed into the chassis. My guess is that some states may have required an engine number or maybe that some DMV wanted to see it and a person stamped it into the engine to make them happy.

Charlie Stephens
 
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19Fordy said:
Is it a star or an asterisk that is supposed to be in front and behind the number?
Click to expand...

It should be a star. The asterisk gets used on paper because people like me have difficulty finding the star key on the computer (if you find it let me know where it is).

Charlie Stephens
 
 Here’s a star copied from Word … problem is whether or not the fonts available for the forum posts will recognize it.

... apparently since the star now appears as a square, Ford Barn does not support the font.

It may be helpful for other documentation ... but remember that just because you send it as a star, the software on the other end may not recognize it.

(In Word, select INSERT, SYMBOL,WINGDINGS ... find the star symbol.)
 
Chris, The number on the engine is a puzzle. The 1986820 number indicates June of 1935, but I don't recognize 799A (79A is 1947??) Perhaps these numbers were added later by a machine shop or rebuilder.
 
799A= 1947 100 hp. 1,986,820= late 1947 Ford or Mercury. More than likely stamped for a state that required an engine number.
 
18-1986820 is 1935. 779-1986820 is 1947. The 18- prefix was used continuously from 32 through 42, up to about 18-6904000. After the war, the 18- prefix was not used and the numbers started again at #1, continuing thru the years, but the prefixes were different for each year (99 for 46, 799 for 47 and 899 for 48 as I recall). So, there are two serial numbers with the 1986820 number - 12 years apart - but they have different prefixes. A bit confusing if you ask me.
 
I got an E mail that told me the numbers on the block were the early style numbers. Not the ones used in 1947. Does anybody know what numbers were used and when?
 
In 1961 I bought a 1947 Ford coupe which was sold new in Yakima, Washington. The fellow I got it from said I was the third owner. When I pulled the heads to mill them the matching frame number was stamped on the intake surface on the left rear corner. Due to the visual condition of the engine I think the heads had never been removed before. The stamping appeared to be a ford stamping, but today couldn't tell you the style or for sure if the stars were there. FWIW
 
sccars49 said:
You have the later style stamped #'s per this site:
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_serialnumbers.htm

Be sure to read all the notes @ bottom.
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:confused: I looked at the examples on this site and I do not agree - they are reversed !! The numbers on the block in the first pic are the OLD type . The examples on this site also show the 8 as symmetrical - in reality the old type 8's upper circle is smaller than the bottom one . I looked at stuff here and you can all verify this with the V-8 club book on 33-34 cars as there are numerous pics of serial #'s
 
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