Hi, I’m new to this site and I have some questions!
I just bought a truck two days ago and I'm trying to understand the VIN number.
On my register papers it tells me a 1951 truck. But looking at the VIN plate and the shape of the truck it seems to be a 1948! I also want to know witch motor I really have. Because I think there is a difference between a 1948 and 1949 motor if I’m not wrong! Here is what I have on the data plate on the firewall:

Engine: 6G-41062
Model: FM-81
Trim: M-18005-C
Paint: M-1722
Serial: FM81H48-9733

I will take all the info you can give me with this info!

Thanks for your help!

 

OK, first off I see that you are in Canada, and if that truck was built in Canada I think they used a different serial number system, and yours look nothing like any I have seen.
As for the truck, the cab/doghouse is a 1948-50, looks to be an F5 or F6, Also, that engine appears to be a Pre-1948

There should be a Serial# plate on the inside of the glove box door, it appears in one of your pictures that the plate is still there. Post the serial# off THAT plate. Also, the serial# should be stamped in the pass side frame rail across from the radiator.

 

Welcome to the forum. The one bit of info that would have been helpful for most guys here is that you're from Canada, or at least your truck is. The numbers you posted are meaningless to most here as they are totally different from US production serial codes.

All that said, I do have some decode info for you. It does appear you have papers for the wrong truck. Your code info tells us that your truck is a 1948. FM=Ford 158" wheelbase F135 model (F5 for US production). 81=cab and chassis. H=built at Home Office, Windsor, Ont. 48=1948. 9733 is your consecutive unit number. It's an early 48 truck.

About your engine, while US truck production got the new 8BA engine from the start in 1948, Canadian production continued to use the 59AB until consecutive unit number 20,000. So you should have the early engine. If you have the distributor in the front of the block instead of sticking out of the upper right corner, you have the correct engine. Engine code 6G also verifies that as the number 6 indicates the year the engine was "originally specified" according to the Ford parts catalog. G says 239 cu. in., 4 speed transmission, truck camshaft. The remaining number is the engine serial number.

The trim number relates to the interior color and material. Paint M-1722 is Vermillion Red. Model FM-81 we've already covered, F135 cab and chassis.

Hope this helps.

 

Joe, Canadian trucks of this vintage don't have the same plates in the glove box as US production. All of their data is located on two tags under the hood on the firewall. And there's a lot more of it that we don't find on US trucks.

 

Thanks so much guys!
I will look at the glove box next weekend and i'll post it!
I really appreciate your informations!
That is what I was thinking 1948... And there is a f135 logo on the truck!
It will help me!

Have a nice week-end!

 

Wayne, on photo#3 in his album, it clearly shows that there is a plate on the glove box door. As I said in my earlier post, I was aware that Canadian numbers were different from ours. I didn't know about the firewall tags, thanks for the info. I was also not aware of the engine deal, but that did not surprise me as they kept the flathead for a year longer than US.
Was the Mercury brand only used on the pickup trucks?

 

I didn't see the pics previously. I'd be interested in seeing a pic of the glove box tag. My Merc has one, too, but it has no data on it. Just the generic disclaimer about GVW, etc. All words, no numbers.

Mercury trucks came in all sizes and flavors(flavours), just like their Ford brothers.

 

No problem!
I will post the picture of the data next week when the truck will be deliver to me!
By now I add a picture of the data plate on the firewall in my gallery pictures just for your info.
Thanks

 

I added the picture of the data plate of the glove box has requested!
Also I looked for the distributor cap and It's in front of the motor between the water pumps.
There was no number on the bell housing.
The only number I found is on the valve cover... C7RA-A
Thanks