VIN/Year/cid puzzle ?
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 66
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From: So.Cal
VIN/Year/cid puzzle ?
Hey Guys,
I recently bought a '73-F250 4x4. The owner said it was a 390 cid (the air cleaner reads "390").
I'm getting ready to start doing some engine work on it.
After reading the faq's and some threads, I ran the vin decoder on it to be sure and got back some mixed information.
The decoder indicated it was a '75 w/a 360 cid.
Here is the VIN#: F26YRX28317
The registration reads: Yr Model: 1973
BTW, the plugs are aligned in this manner: // \\
I don't know just what that means.
Any help solving this mystery is appreciated.
I don't want to start ordering all the wrong parts._____________
Steve
I recently bought a '73-F250 4x4. The owner said it was a 390 cid (the air cleaner reads "390").
I'm getting ready to start doing some engine work on it.
After reading the faq's and some threads, I ran the vin decoder on it to be sure and got back some mixed information.
The decoder indicated it was a '75 w/a 360 cid.
Here is the VIN#: F26YRX28317
The registration reads: Yr Model: 1973
BTW, the plugs are aligned in this manner: // \\
I don't know just what that means.
Any help solving this mystery is appreciated.
I don't want to start ordering all the wrong parts._____________
Steve
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
The plugs tell you it's an FE - 360/390/etc
My VIN was F26YEU22314, so yours is definitely newer than my '74
All 4x4's were NOT available with 390's, so it would have to be changed, which sounds right if it has a "390" on the air cleaner and they used the air cleaner from the 390.
The only thing out of the ordinary is the year - what does the grill look like? Two seperate plastic inserts, but '73-'74 are all grey/silver (no black) and look different.
art k.
My VIN was F26YEU22314, so yours is definitely newer than my '74
All 4x4's were NOT available with 390's, so it would have to be changed, which sounds right if it has a "390" on the air cleaner and they used the air cleaner from the 390.
The only thing out of the ordinary is the year - what does the grill look like? Two seperate plastic inserts, but '73-'74 are all grey/silver (no black) and look different.
art k.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: So.Cal
Krewat,
the grill is two piece black.
EDIT:
Assuming this actually is a '75 F250 4x4,
are there no external engine markings that identify the block size ?
EDIT #2:
I just popped over to the FE forum and learned that I'll have to measure the stroke to find out what CID I have, as the 360 and 390 blocks are identical.
Steve
the grill is two piece black.
EDIT:
Assuming this actually is a '75 F250 4x4,
are there no external engine markings that identify the block size ?
EDIT #2:
I just popped over to the FE forum and learned that I'll have to measure the stroke to find out what CID I have, as the 360 and 390 blocks are identical.
Steve
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by Steve A
I just popped over to the FE forum and learned that I'll have to measure the stroke to find out what CID I have, as the 360 and 390 blocks are identical.
thanks,
steve
thanks,
steve
Sort out what year it is - according to the grill, sounds like a '75, but someone could have painted the '73/74 grill pieces, look in people's gallerys, you'll see the difference between '73/74 and the rest.
On my '74, the vin was stamped into the chassis rail right behind the passenger front wheel, on the top lip of the chassis rail. Took some muscle to see it though. I hope you're not driving some mutt that might be stolen parts - does the VIN on the door and registration match? Could be a typo on the DMV's part too. 1973 puts it at more than 30 years old, which might be an emissions milestone in your state
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 66
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From: So.Cal
With #1 at TDC, the difference between #1 and #4 is about 3.7 inches. Looks like a 390.
The first thing I did was check the VIN on the door frame, it matches the registration.
I'll have to crawl under and see if I can locate the VIN stamp on the chassis.
If I'm lucky, I may have a 75 that may be smog exempted by a DMV glitch.
Any other things I might look for to confirm it's a 75 versus a 73 ?
steve
The first thing I did was check the VIN on the door frame, it matches the registration.
I'll have to crawl under and see if I can locate the VIN stamp on the chassis.
If I'm lucky, I may have a 75 that may be smog exempted by a DMV glitch.
Any other things I might look for to confirm it's a 75 versus a 73 ?
steve
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,172
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From: SW Missouri
a 73 will have taillights with a metal backing plate and four screws. 75 will be plastic and retained by two screws. similarly the front turn signals are metal with plastic covers in 73-74, and fully plastic 75-77.
1975 should have electronic ignition, whereas 73-74 had points.
1975 should have electronic ignition, whereas 73-74 had points.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by whd507
1975 should have electronic ignition, whereas 73-74 had points.
I wonder about the four vs. two screw taillights though... my '74 had only two, straight from my brother who bought it new - is that a '73 anomolie that didn't affect '74 ?
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Vin break down
Hi, check out a catalog from LMC trucks ,they have a vin no. break down in them ,Tells you what is what Slim ps you can order one on line free at www.LMCtruck.com