I recently purchased a truck and am having trouble with the year and possibly the VIN. My title says 1951, but I have had numerous people tell me it looks like a 49 or 50.

The VIN on the title is F1H1KC27624. This number is also located on the data plate in the engine compartment, however, there is a star underneath the "F" and then after the VIN.

I found a number on the frame on the passenger side near the motor mount. It has been difficult to read and also appears to have a number or two stamped over the original number. Best I can make it out so far, it says *7HK1808319 or *7HK180819.

Can anyone provide any help? If you want to see a picture of it, go to www.teetsel.com/ford.

THANKS!!!
Scott

 

well i can tell you it is NOT a '51. it is a '48,'49 or '50. All these 3 yrs were about 99% the same. the '51 and '52 were almost identical exc. for hood trim.
then major body change for '53. i used to have a '48 and a '52, did lot of research but it's been some time ago. don't remember anything about the serial no's. except they were stamped on the frame as you mentioned somewhere around the front axle area i believe. hope to be of some help....paul

 

Thanks for the post....

The data plate in the glove compartment lists the engine code as 180319. No other numbers or digits before it.

So I guess the VIN on the frame probably says *7HK180319.

Scott

 

From what I have read, as I don't own one.........yet. That the engine number and the VIN should be the same. The VIN should be stamped on the clutch housing. The first symbol should be the year, the second and third would be the series and the last six the production number. Remove the trans cover and you should find them. And yes it is a 48-50 truck.

 

Scott,

That's definitely 48-50 front sheet metal and the small rear window indicates the cab is also 48-50...not 51-52, although 48-50 front sheet metal will fit the 48-50 trucks. The 8-lug wheels make it an F-2 or F-3. If the truck were a US made 48 F-1 six cylinder the VIN number would begin with 87HC and if it were a US made 49 or 50 F-1 six cylinder it would begin with 97HC. There are differences in the Canadian VIN numbers and I'm not sure what those would be.

Vern

 

The truck is marked F-2 in chrome on the cab and also on the data plate in the glove box. Seems odd that this dataplate would be missing the first part of the VIN. Doesn't appear to be worn or filed off, just simply not there.

Thanks everyone for your help!!!!

Scott

 

The vin on the title is for a '51 F-1 with a 6 cyl. I'd say the one on the frame is the correct one. The previous owner probally licensed the truck under the different vin because he probally had the same problem as you reading the vin.

 

Scott, partial vin's on the chassis seems to be pretty common. Any chance that number is *7HY180319? "Y" is the designation for 3/4 tons.

I'd bet the truck is 1950. A possible title explanation is the p.o. bought a title from a '51 6 cyl 1/2 ton truck. Some states don't bother to check vehicle against vin on a title when issuing a new title.

5356, there is no engine number on flatheads, and the vin is not stamped on the tranny bellhousing after 1947, so the 48-53 trucks rely on chassis vin for ID

 

Mtflat, yes I understand the block doesn't have a VIN. I was refering to the bellhousing. Of course this isn't from first hand knowledge, just something I've read and was offering info from the book. And was under the assumption that it didn't change to the frame untill 51. But I do appreciate the information, always something new to learn.

 

Sorry if I came across the wrong way Ron. The flathead lore is so convoluted 'cause Henry made so many different variations that it makes a guy's head spin sometimes.

I've found I have to read really carefully on some of the other boards that cover the 5 ford flathead series of V8 engines.

A good example of this is the 5 qualifying changes I made to that last sentence as I typed it.

You're right - there's always something new to learn and if you're forgetful like me you get to learn some of it over and over

 

It is definitely a 48-50. If you could cut through the the multiple coats of paint on the grill you could determine what color the grill started out as. If it is the Tuscon Beige it is from 48 and if it is a grey or silver color it is from 49 or50. You can go on a Bonus Built site and look up your vin numbers to determine which year you have also.
It will make a nice truck for someone.

Gear Up

 

No offense taken at all Tim.........as for the forgetful part, I can certainly relate to that! Of course I can probably pin it on the bad habits of my younger days.