1976 VIN question

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Sep 17, 2005 | 09:07 AM

Diesel Digger

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1976 VIN question

i'm having trouble identifying the powertrain on a 76 f 150 i'm looking at buying. first 6 digits are F15MP3 trans G Axle 14J. i checked with the link supplied in the VIN forum but trans and axle came back unknown and engine came back as 390 but i didn't think M was a 390. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanx

Sep 17, 2005 | 09:27 AM

MBBFord

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From: Louisiana

Try another vin # identification site, but if it's 4wd then it's D44 up front, and 2wd or 4wd it's a Ford 9" out back. If it's automatic, it's a C6 trans, and the M was only on 351M400 blocks.

I know other people could look up the vin # for you but I can't find my marked site, and I don't know how much info they could give you with only the 1st 5 #s.

Sep 17, 2005 | 12:17 PM

76supercab2

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Since 351M/400 engines weren't available in 1976, I doubt that engine code M referrs to that family.

F15 = 2wd F-150
M = 390 4 barrel carb
P = assembled in Twin Cities
3 -- there is not a number in that location in my book. That is the start of the consecutive serial number. It could be a 'B' which would cover the December 75 thru March 76.

G = automatic. A C-6 would be behind the 390.
14 = 3.00 rear gears. Not sure what the J means. No J is listed in the axel codes.

Sep 17, 2005 | 04:31 PM

Torque1st

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J means power steering.

Sep 17, 2005 | 05:33 PM

subford

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From: Easton,Ks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Digger

M = 390-4V 8 Cyl.
F15 = F-150
G = A.T.
14 = 3.00 NL 3750 Ford
J = w/P.S.

Sep 18, 2005 | 09:30 AM

Diesel Digger

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thanks for your help everybody. i had another look at the truck and i'm still a little confused. the door VIN says 1976 but it has square headlights. i thought these weren't changed till '78. is it poossible the grill was changed? would it fit? the owner seems to think the engine is a 351. what's the quickest way to distinguish between an FE block and an M block?

Sep 18, 2005 | 11:41 AM

MBBFord

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From: Louisiana

The grill can be changed pretty easy, as long as you have the headlight surrounds to change form 76 to 79.
You can check the valve cover and see if there is any info still left on there, or on the emisions sticker under the hood, to see if it is a 351M or what.
If you see any info about Liters, then the 351 is 5.8L and the 390 is about 6.2 .