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Hello. I've just been assigned the job of getting our 1978 F600 fire truck back in service. First task is brakes and I'm trying to find a new master cylinder. I see from several listings (such as https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/19..._cylinder.html), that up to serial number Q20001 is one cylinder. I'm still not entirely sure what part of the VIN is the serial number. I've found several
places that decode the number, but our tag looks a little different.
I think it reads F61EVBC0903. Type F615/Body AA8/Trans A/Axle E2M. If someone can point me to something that shows how to decode our tag, it'd be much appreciated!
Hello. I've just been assigned the job of getting our 1978 F600 fire truck back in service. First task is brakes and I'm trying to find a new master cylinder.
I see from several listings that up to serial number Q20001 (before/from serial number Q20,001 applies to 1973 only) is one cylinder.
I'm still not entirely sure what part of the VIN is the serial number (BC0903 = last 6 digits of the VIN).
F61 = F600 2WD (gas).
E = 361 2V or 4V FT engine.
V = Kentucky Truck Assembly Plant.
BC0903 = 1978 (Serial number: 1967/77 have a letter followed by 5 numbers. 1978/80 have 2 letters followed by 4 numbers).
176" Wheelbase.
A = Black.
F615 = F600 2WD (gas), 23,000 lbs. GVWR
AA8: AA = Black Vinyl / 8 = 81A Standard Cab.
A = New Process 435 4 Speed Manual Transmission.
E2M:
E2 = Eaton model 16244 Two Speed Rear Axle / 6.17/8.58 /17,500 lbs. Axle Capacity.
M = Ford 7,000 lbs. Capacity Front Axle with Power Steering.
23,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
450314:
45 = Lansing MI Ford District Sales Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.
0314 = Domestic Special Order number, truck ordered special by the original purchaser, not "bought off the lot."
THREE possible master cylinders: Does the truck have single or split hydraulic brakes? Are the front brakes 14" x 2 1/2" or 15" x 3.00"?
BC0903 = 1978 (Serial number: 1967/77 have a letter followed by 5 numbers. 1978/80 have 2 letters followed by 4 numbers).
176" Wheelbase.
A = Black.
F615 = F600 2WD (gas), 23,000 lbs. GVWR
AA8: AA = Black Vinyl / 8 = 81A Standard Cab.
A = New Process 435 4 Speed Manual Transmission.
E2M:
E2 = Eaton model 16244 Two Speed Rear Axle / 6.17/8.58 /17,500 lbs. Axle Capacity.
M = Ford 7,000 lbs. Capacity Front Axle with Power Steering.
23,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
450314:
45 = Lansing MI Ford District Sales Office, where the original selling dealer ordered the truck from.
0314 = Domestic Special Order number, truck ordered special by the original purchaser, not "bought off the lot."
THREE possible master cylinders: Does the truck have single or split hydraulic brakes? Are the front brakes 14" x 2 1/2" or 15" x 3.00"?
Thanks for that! That is very useful information.
So, I guess I have some more research to do. There is only a single connection on the master cylinder, so I guess that would be single, correct? I'll have to measure the front brakes next time I'm at the station.
I didn't see all these options come up, either at our local parts store or online. Do you have a suggestion for a better parts source for these trucks?
01-13-2018, 04:01 PM
