When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi all! Is there a decipher for the firewall stamped number? I have a 49 F1 with the flathead v8. The interior paint is green. The outside is mostly rust color lol.
Hi Zeek, welcome to the forum! There's a couple of us that's been tracking production codes for years. Yours is rather unique compared to most. Here's how it breaks down.
MP is Memphis Assembly.
C81 is model code for F1 pickup. 81 sometimes identifies as cab and chassis. 83 is typically the number we see for pickup. Is yours a cab and chassis or flatbed by chance? We don't normally see this code.
4 is the color code for Birch Gray
21L is your assembly date, November 21. If your truck is a '49, it's assumed it's 1949. The tag in the corner with the serial number can confirm that.
308 is the rotation number, an internal plant tracking number with no other correlation to the truck.
Tell us more about you, your truck, and what your plans for it are. More pictures would be great!
Interesting firewall stamping. My first thought was Canadian because of the C81. That is unique in the data for a US production truck. It's typical Canada Ford notation for 1/2 ton cab/chassis.
Wayne deciphered the stamping for you. I'd love to see your serial number. From the data you should be in the 98RC 260,000/270,000 range for a Nov 21 build date.
Welcome to FTE!
Tim
Thanks for the great info. Crazy to think the truck was grey. The firewall and interior metal are green. It does have a short bed with metal floor on top of the wood. The family I bought it from bought it in 1955. The owners have passed away and their niece didn’t know much history on it. The tags expired in 1978 and last inspection was done in 1977. The truck came with the title from 1955. Here is a pic of the plate.
I’m wanting to get the truck running and driving so we can enjoy it. Then fix it up from there. Keeping it mostly original. I’ve been watching this truck for years sitting in a barn. I never thought I would have the opportunity to buy it. It’s definitely been a dream of mine and I’ve loved the flathead v8 since I was a kid.
Thanks - that's a great story! Your serial number is in the ?? area between 49 and 50 trucks. There were a lot of variables between assembly plants.
It wouldn't be the first one that was painted different than indicated by the color code. Behind the kick panels, under the dash and behind the gas tank are places you can often find original color.
Enjoy your truck!
The engine color seems a little odd to me also. Looks like it was an orange color originally. I haven’t been able to find much info on an orange engine color.
It's cool to have the history of your truck. It sounds like something you're going to enjoy. As for the color, it's always a possibility the 4 is a mis-stamp. Mistakes are fairly rare, given the number of trucks built, but not uncommon to find. You're looking at the truck and can tell better than we can if it's been painted and color changed. Color changes back in the day typically didn't include inside the glove box or firewall so if the green isn't original they went to an unusual amount of work to do a good job. But from what I can see in your first pic, the firewall appears to be more gray than green, and there seems to be green paint on the cowl seal that shouldn't be there. Again, you can tell better than us but it sure makes me curious. Take a good look all around and let us know for sure what you find.
Kinda looks like a 50 ford car bronze color.Does that look like a narrow belt?(possibly car engine).What kinda set up is at the oil fill breather cap?I have never seen that before?
Kinda looks like a 50 ford car bronze color.Does that look like a narrow belt?(possibly car engine).What kinda set up is at the oil fill breather cap?I have never seen that before?
It is a wide belt. We did some cleaning on the front of the block and it does appear to be a red color. The top is just discolored from over the years and looks almost like an orange.
The head in the engine picture looks to be cast EAB, which would identify it as a 52-53 engine.
Do you know if the truck has even been in a fire, or near a burning barn or something? The paint looks burnt and blistered, and that would explain some of the discoloration.
I, too, am curious about the flexy metal pipe off the oil filler cap? Where does the other end of that pipe go?
The head in the engine picture looks to be cast EAB, which would identify it as a 52-53 engine.
Do you know if the truck has even been in a fire, or near a burning barn or something? The paint looks burnt and blistered, and that would explain some of the discoloration.
I, too, am curious about the flexy metal pipe off the oil filler cap? Where does the other end of that pipe go?
A badly worn flathead with broken rings will produce enough blow-by that it may have a secondary road draft tube hooked up to keep the blue smoke out of the cab. Ask me how I know...
The head in the engine picture looks to be cast EAB, which would identify it as a 52-53 engine.
Do you know if the truck has even been in a fire, or near a burning barn or something? The paint looks burnt and blistered, and that would explain some of the discoloration.
I, too, am curious about the flexy metal pipe off the oil filler cap? Where does the other end of that pipe go?
no fire that I know of. All the original wire is still on the truck. The breather tube has the flex hose the runs down by the exhaust manifold.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
