Where can I find the stamping numbers on the grille surround? I found a grille that is in decent shape, but have my doubts about authenticity. I can't find any part number stampings on it, and I know most these parts are stamped by Ford with the part #. Also, the turn signals fit doesn't look quite right. Has a nice billet insert though.

 

The number should be stamped on the top part of the grille that wraps underneath the hood when the hood is closed.

 

So there definitely should be a number if it is all original?

 

I couldn't find a Ford part number stamped anywhere on my original surround. Unless it's just wore off, I can't even find a ford stamped logo. I know the surround is original.

 

Ok...makes me feel better. I looked at my 73 Grille like a hawk and couldn't find a stamping #, nor the 79 grille that I am looking at. I am just a little suspect on the 79 grille as the metal seems to be softer than the 73 and the fit of the turn signals doesn't look quite right. They have a bit of gap around the signals. I don't seem to notice this gap looking at some pictures of other 78-79 grilles.

 

NO ID, NO stamping, NO nothing in the way of numbers on the grille shell...anywhere.

If you do find a number, it will be the actual part number, on a glued on tag. The tag is white, with blue letters. about 1" x 1/2." Only on the replacement grilles will you find this tag, and the tags weren't always used. Most replacement grilles shipped in 1973/74 will have the tag, the later grilles might/might not.


Two different part numbers used: D3TZ-8200-A was replaced in 1976 with D6TZ-8200-A. What's the difference? Nothing.

Why no ID stamping number? Because "back then" there were no gypo (aftermarket) grilles available, and the shells are the same 1973/77. Also, stamping aluminum parts leaves a mark on t'other side...visible on the outside.


However, if you search the various plastic grill inserts, you just might find something.

Replacement grilles originally came in paste board cartons with the number printed on the end. In the late 1980's, Ford did away with the boxes, and began shipping the grilles in a heavy plastic see thru wrapper. Yup, you guessed it, many were returned to Ford, because they were damaged in shipping.


Working 35 years as a Ford partsman (1962/97), I've never seen a stamped ID number on an aluminum grille. The earlier steel grilles weren't stamped either after 1952. Some of the 1952 and earlier grilles have the actual part number stamped on them.


As a matter of fact, nothing was stamped on sheet metal, and nothing was ever stamped on stainless or aluminum trim. Trying to ID loose mouldings out of the package has been a PITA since day one. Exceptions are the hidden VIN's, stamped on core supports and left fender inner aprons on unibodied passenger cars (Mustangs, Pintos, etc) in the 1960's and later.


Today, you will see stamped numbers, and VIN numbers..on various parts. This all started in the 1990's.

LENSES: Genuine Ford plastic and glass lenses will have a variation of the year and model on them (usually 3 digits), and the 1960's and later lenses will have a DOT ID number, required by law. DOT = Department of Transportation. Gypo (aftermarket) lenses, usually are not marked. No markings on lenses = Chinese or Taiwanese crappola. Some of these lenses are not DOT approved...many are sold on fleabay.

 

My signal lenses are definitely oem...it has the numbers on them. I will take a close up pic of the fit of the lens in the 79 grille and see what you think about the fit...pics coming soon. Thanks for the other info!! Good stuff.

 

You've gotta be talking about the gap on the top outside corners on both sides between the lenses and the grille shell. Looks like a little triagular shaped piece of aluminum is missing from the shell. I've actually seen that alot. Im suprised no one else notices it, too. I'm thinking about tig welding mine up at work.

 

Exactly....will have some pics soon. See if they are what you see.

 

Here are the pics as promised....

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p295/bryd06/100_0601.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p295/bryd06/100_0600.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p295/bryd06/100_0599.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p295/bryd06/100_0598.jpg

Is this gap what you are talking about Mando Jake? This is normal? If this is indeed an OEM surround, why would the metal be much more pliable than my 73 surround? I am guessing Ford may have started using a softer aluminum by the time 79 rolled around.....It is looking more and more like this is indeed an original.

 

Even with a magnifying glass, I couldn't make out the numbers on the lenses...pics are too small for my 62 year old eyes to make out.

 

I didn't realize I had reduced the size so small. I will try and get more tomorrow....inflated in size. lol. I was mainly asking if the gaps around the lens was normal.

 

I could barely make out the lenses, much less the gaps. As I've typed here on FTE many times before, do not judge what was made then by what is made today. Gaps in panels, wavy and ill fitting aluminum trim, wind noise, loose threads in upholstery, sloppy paint jobs was the norm at that time. While today's trucks have corrected many of the faults of the past, they are about as exciting as watching paint dry. New trucks: Bland, boring and stuffed with expensive computerized electronic crappola, that fails the day after the warranty expires.

 

The grille shell on my '73 has a number stamped on it. It is located on the part of the grille that wraps underneath the hood when the hood is closed. I think it's a few letters and the number "77". My grille shell originally came off of a '77 truck, so I think that's why it has the number '77. I just assumed that all of the grille shells had a stamping on them. I guess I was wrong.

 

A 1977 Ford truck would have used grille shell D6TZ-8200-A, a part number dating to 1976, so why would your grille shell be stamped 1977? I have no idea. D6TZ-8200-A replaced the original 1973 part number: D3TZ-8200-A. Regardless of the different part numbers, the shells are the same 1973/77.


I've personally never seen one stamped, or marked except by part number tag. The shells were still available in 1997, when I retired, and at this time, Ford was stamping all kinds of VIN and other numbers everywhere on parts that were installed at the various assembly plants, and ID numbers on service parts (service parts = parts sold over the parts counter). Maybe the last replacement grilles were marked.


Parts were stamped by Ford beginning in the 1990's for two reasons. To combat theft..having VIN's on parts was supposed to cut down on chop shop sold parts. The other reason was to combat all the foreign made body parts, imported from Taiwan. Many sheet metal and other body parts were stamped with patent numbers, or Pat'd Pending. Didn't help a bit. The parts made in the Orient continue to flow here today. The makers of these parts and many other US produced goods, could care less about US Patents.