| gunbunny119 | -- 05-10-2023 @ 4:38 PM |
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Hello everyone. Stumbled on a 47-48 ford that will be my next beloved project that I intend to drive for years. I've been deep diving and doing as much research as I can about these cars, but I felt I should join and say h*llo. The car was bought without title (of course), so I'm beginning the bonding process. I've done this before, so no big deal. However...I wasn't prepared for the fact that the serial number was never put on the cab prior to 49. And of course, this car got a resto-mod treatment a while back, so it has a gm G-body front end (full stub job, not just crossmember) and a 350 chevy. (I know, I know). So the two most prominent places they stamped the serial number are gone. I just pulled the body today and managed to fetch the serial number from the frame at the 2 alternate stamp places.. Here's my question...How do I know if this is a 47 or a 48? The frame only has the 6 digit serial number and not the prefix and I'll need the prefix and proper year to get it titled. It does have the front marker lights under the headlight, so I know it's not a 46. It has the dual ashtrays in the dash , so I know it was a super deluxe. (not even sure if it had the 6 or 8. However...nothing from the firewall forward is original and it has a ford 9 under it, so the rear axle is no longer stock. Although it has the original 3 on the tree steering column, the steering wheel was replaced so I don't have the stock steering wheel. I read online there was a difference in the clock on the dash? the only answer I saw online was "the clock" without elaboration. At least it still has the stock clock if that's a clue. Based on the information available to me, I figure it could be a 47 or a 48. It does have the aluminum running boards, so I'm leaning toward 48. I'm assuming due to the axle swap the rear shocks aren't original, so the tube/no tube shock difference is probably negated. Opinions? The only real clue I have is the aluminum running boards to tell it from a 47 or 48. The other determining factors I've read online are negated because of all the work this car has had done on it. I'm leaning toward 48, but I'd love to hear from you guys. Obviously, I've done my digging, so this isn't just a lazy new guy post, I promise lol. I'll post pics soon and it's good to be here. Also, I just bought the green early ford bible, so I'm looking forward to getting it in the mail. This message was edited by gunbunny119 on 5-10-23 @ 4:47 PM
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| carcrazy | -- 05-10-2023 @ 4:53 PM |
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If the car still has the original steering column and ignition switch, you can make a pretty good guess about its model year. The very last 1947 and 1948 cars no longer had the coincidental steering and ignition lock, they simply had an ignition lock mounted to the right of the steering column.
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| JayChicago | -- 05-10-2023 @ 5:04 PM |
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"Here's my question...How do I know if this is a 47 or a 48? The frame only has the 6 digit serial number and not the prefix and I'll need the prefix and proper year to get it titled." This chart shows serial numbers by year, and the prefix: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_serialnumbers.htm
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| gunbunny119 | -- 05-10-2023 @ 8:08 PM |
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I will definitely have a look at that steering lock. This is my first fat fender project, so I'm learning. Thats why I was so caught off guard when I heard the serial number was only on the engine and front frame, which are both long gone. Thanks.
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| gunbunny119 | -- 05-10-2023 @ 8:24 PM |
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Yeah, Jay, I'm still looking at that chart. Kinda has me stumped. My serial is a 6 digit 287,xxx number. In the VP chart, the fords in 47 and 48 were all 7 digit, or they were much lower than mine. But I checked another website (classicford) and they list the serial range on the 48 to be 7 digits, but on the 47 they were 6 digit and mine fit within their range. But considering 2 different sites have conflicting data, I have no idea what to believe. On top of that, I know that in post-war Ford, they were thrifty and commonly made variations based on what parts they had lying around. Working on the car has been a breeze, who knew deciphering the serial number would be the kicker. Thanks for the help
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| Model B | -- 05-11-2023 @ 4:55 AM |
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According the Van Pelt's serial number chart...I'm leaning towards the chassis being a '46 six cylinder chassis. A lot of things happen to our cars over the years, especially when they have been modified. Just a guess! Stay Safe! Pat
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| gunbunny119 | -- 05-11-2023 @ 11:58 AM |
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Updated info...So I have 2 stamped serial numbers to work with...mid body and tail section. On the mid body, the beginning of the serial number is no longer there because the frame pitted at that location. On the tail section, with enough scr*ping, we discovered that I do indeed have a 7 digit serial number. 2,087,xxx. Based on the charts, that makes more sense and that number fits into the early 1948 serial range. It appears to be a 48 from what I'm seeing. Admittedly, this has been a bit of a fun project to do with my kids. I appreciate the insight, gentlemen.
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| ford38v8 | -- 05-11-2023 @ 4:40 PM |
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Well son of a gun, it’s a pleasure to read a question from someone who has already researched more than most guys ever considered doing. Glad you got your info, and hope you’ll stick around to provide answers to some of our own questions! Alan
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| gunbunny119 | -- 05-11-2023 @ 6:22 PM |
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"Well son of a gun, it’s a pleasure to read a question from someone who has already researched more than most guys ever considered doing" Well I try my best. I've been on forums for decades and I know the frustration of seeing a new guy ask a question that is answered 50 times in the forum and another 500 on google. My wife drives a jeep and on her forums they have a game for every time a new member asks "Whats the largest tires I can have with stock suspension?" .
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| woodiewagon46 | -- 05-12-2023 @ 10:00 AM |
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The V-8 Club sell's a 1941-1948 Ford book that is loaded with the information you will need. If the glass is original you can check the date on the "Bugs".
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| EFV-8 Club Forum : | https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum |
| Topic: | https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=18&Topic=16399 |