Need help decoding a VIN
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,504
Likes: 2,822
Thread moved to Large Truck.
We may have an issue here. The tag decodes as a V8.
C75 = C750 gas
F = 391 4V FT gas V8 (Code F also decodes to a Domestic Special Order engine, a Cummins NTC250, 855 six cylinder. Your model number and gearing conflict with that.)
V = Kentucky Truck Plant
Q33185 = 1973 numerical series, September 1972 production
135 = 135 inch wheelbase
C = Special White
C756 = C750 gas, 23,000 lbs GVWR
A28
A2 = Gray multicolor and Lt. gray vinyl
8 = Custom Cab without sleeping compartment (I don't see the CC emblem...)
2 = Clark model 282V five speed direct transmission
HHN
HH = Eaton model 17221 two speed rear axle, 18,500 lbs capacity, 7.17 / 9.77 ratios
N = Ford 9,000 lb. capacity front axle with power steering
23000 = 23,000 lbs GVWR
581073
58 = Twin Cities District Sales Office
1073 = Special Order Number
Does the VIN on the title match the one on this tag?
The 300 six was offered in '73 under codes B, J, & 2.
Does the decode line up with the rest of the truck? 5 speed, 2 speed axle, Custom cab, power steering?
Doors get changed and they leave the old warranty tag on the door, resulting in confusion.
We may have an issue here. The tag decodes as a V8.
C75 = C750 gas
F = 391 4V FT gas V8 (Code F also decodes to a Domestic Special Order engine, a Cummins NTC250, 855 six cylinder. Your model number and gearing conflict with that.)
V = Kentucky Truck Plant
Q33185 = 1973 numerical series, September 1972 production
135 = 135 inch wheelbase
C = Special White
C756 = C750 gas, 23,000 lbs GVWR
A28
A2 = Gray multicolor and Lt. gray vinyl
8 = Custom Cab without sleeping compartment (I don't see the CC emblem...)
2 = Clark model 282V five speed direct transmission
HHN
HH = Eaton model 17221 two speed rear axle, 18,500 lbs capacity, 7.17 / 9.77 ratios
N = Ford 9,000 lb. capacity front axle with power steering
23000 = 23,000 lbs GVWR
581073
58 = Twin Cities District Sales Office
1073 = Special Order Number
Does the VIN on the title match the one on this tag?
The 300 six was offered in '73 under codes B, J, & 2.
Does the decode line up with the rest of the truck? 5 speed, 2 speed axle, Custom cab, power steering?
Doors get changed and they leave the old warranty tag on the door, resulting in confusion.
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I don't have the title. Does anyone have any idea if there would be another VIN anywhere on these trucks? Also I do know that this truck was a delivery truck for a small town so I would assume the 300 was/is the original motor.
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Since the truck appears to have a 300 inline 6 in it does anybody know what transmission might be in it? I have a 460 I want to put in this truck out of a station wagon and would like to adapt the motor to the trans that is in the truck if possible.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,504
Likes: 2,822
First things first--what are you going to use the truck for?
Is the transmission a 4 speed? Due to the way the C series shifts, you're stuck with it unless you find another C series with a 5 speed.
Your 460 will need a bell, and you'll have to find out what the input shaft "stickout" is on the existing transmission, and the bell to transmission pattern. It may be that it will bolt right up to a pickup bell. 460s had manual transmissions starting in 1983. There are other bells that will work from the 351M/400s but there is some trickery needed due to bell depth differences.
You'll be on your own for engine mounts. You will probably need a larger radiator, again, you'll be scouring the countryside for a larger one or have yours recored with a larger core if possible.
There is quite a laundry list of things to be done--but since you don't have a title, you really don't securely own this truck.
Don't put a nickle into it until you figure out the title.
Is the transmission a 4 speed? Due to the way the C series shifts, you're stuck with it unless you find another C series with a 5 speed.
Your 460 will need a bell, and you'll have to find out what the input shaft "stickout" is on the existing transmission, and the bell to transmission pattern. It may be that it will bolt right up to a pickup bell. 460s had manual transmissions starting in 1983. There are other bells that will work from the 351M/400s but there is some trickery needed due to bell depth differences.
You'll be on your own for engine mounts. You will probably need a larger radiator, again, you'll be scouring the countryside for a larger one or have yours recored with a larger core if possible.
There is quite a laundry list of things to be done--but since you don't have a title, you really don't securely own this truck.
Don't put a nickle into it until you figure out the title.
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
It's belongs to the Family Farm and the title got lost in all the clutter that has since been thrown out. The current owner is still alive and working on getting a copy of the title. We really don't plan on using it for much other than roaring around and going into town for supplies when we need them. I just have the motor laying around and thought it would be a fun project to do.
Trending Topics
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,504
Likes: 2,822
That's good--nothing worse than doing a bunch of work only to have it sit because you can't register it.
Back to your truck:
I take it the rest of the truck doesn't match the decode? If so, I would recommend taking that tag off the door. It will only mislead others, and not in a good way.
Does it run? Do you have a two speed rear axle?
The wheels on it are Dayton style wheels--a lot of people don't like those, but they are servicable, vs. the widow maker wheels that are not. They can accept tubeless rims if they aren't already, and---drum roll---you can get brake drums for them. You might have to get a wider drum from an air brake truck and have it cut, but it beats the scavenger hunt for drums that the other brakes will give you.
For your use, I would run the six. Once you run that for a while, you may feel differently about more power. Steering and brakes . And in a tilt cab, if something goes wrong, you get there first.....
Back to your truck:
I take it the rest of the truck doesn't match the decode? If so, I would recommend taking that tag off the door. It will only mislead others, and not in a good way.
Does it run? Do you have a two speed rear axle?
The wheels on it are Dayton style wheels--a lot of people don't like those, but they are servicable, vs. the widow maker wheels that are not. They can accept tubeless rims if they aren't already, and---drum roll---you can get brake drums for them. You might have to get a wider drum from an air brake truck and have it cut, but it beats the scavenger hunt for drums that the other brakes will give you.
For your use, I would run the six. Once you run that for a while, you may feel differently about more power. Steering and brakes . And in a tilt cab, if something goes wrong, you get there first.....
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Well thanks for all thr information. The truck is about 3 hours away from me and I don't know if I'll get back up there before winter. I will have to check out all the options on it when I get up there again.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,504
Likes: 2,822
But the swap overall is probably not worth cost and effort for the intended use.
Sounds like the OP will know more next spring.....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
J_Remy
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jun 29, 2021 03:12 PM