Bill, Just so you know,

My 68 Mustang 289 (all original when I bought it) has part of the Car VIN# stamped into a machined area on top at the back of the block.

You know the term "matching numbers" used in car shows.


Also to users when """""""I""""""" mention posting casting numbers

I mean the engineering number and the DATE casting numbers only


I don't mean those unique foundry numbers that are part of the casting process like the 352 casting

 

You bought that 'stang in Canada, right? Mebbe in Canada it's required, but not here...at least not before 1990.

Here in the US, I've never seen a VIN on any engine part on older vehicles.

As an accredited Ford car show judge since 1971, I know the term "matching numbers" has NOTHING to do with a VIN being stamped on parts...it refers to optional or special equipment based on the VIN and data plates.

The rivets that retain the plates better be correct, too.

There was a scam back in the 1970's...ppl were taking pie plates, cutting them to size, and stamping phony codes on them...then re-riveting them on cars, painting them over.

This made the cars rarer and worth mega bucks.

The rivets used were wrong, and ppl got caught with their teat in a wringer when the judges came by for inspection.

One pair of thieves went all over the west removing data plates from cars in wrecking yards, then applying for new CA titles with VIN's from those cars wrecking yard plates...that were long out of the system.

Then when the new title came, they'd go steal the car they had made up the title for, install the wrecking yard plate...and sell the car. When finally caught, the duo had shoe boxes full of CA titles, and no cars to show for them.

Ford's didn't have VIN's plastered everywhere back then, like they do now.

 

I always looked for correct rivets

Mustang built in Dearborn MI.for Western Canada

They only stamped the block for a few years

IIRC, 1969 was the last year for it

I'll try and take a pic for you.


For me numbers matching was engine parts /trans cast codes had to be before the build date of the car..usually up to 6 months before build date.

So many people slipped 67 or 68 engines in 65/66 cars and thought it would go un-noticed

 

Confirming Dennis's statement, I too had at one time a 68 Mustang but with a 200 CI 6-cyl. and I recall it had the VIN (or a portion thereof) stamped on the block, but I sold the car 12 years ago... (Built in Metuchen NJ)

NumberDummy, the story you tell about the data plates & car theft etc. in CA sounds much like the storyline in the first half of the original 1974 'Gone in 60 Seconds' movie.

 

I think the authority on 428 Cobra Jets begs to differ...

http://www.428cobrajet.com/id-block.html

Josh

 

Never seen the film, but I knew both of those crooks, as they were once "respected" members of the Fabulous 50's Ford Club.

A woman had her 1953 Ford Sunliner stolen, and one night she happened to be watching an episode of "Happy Days." In one scene, there was her car..faded red paint job and all. That was the beginning of the end of the two crooks. The polizei began watching one of them...a tow truck driver. Within days, both were in jail.

 

Read my post again...I said "I've never seen a VIN" stamped on a engine part.

I didn't say it was never done.

Matching numbers: How, pray tell, could someone see these numbers at the rear of the engine at a car show? One can barely make them out in these pictures...taken when the parts were off the car.

Have you ever seen a '67/70 Mustang with any FE stuffed under the hood? There's zero room to look anywhere at the rear of the engine.

btw: 1968 was the first year the cars had VIN's visible from the outside. The VIN plate was installed on the dash, left hand corner, where it remains to this day.

 

I'll take a pic for you Bill.

There is lots of room back there for a camera shot.

 

Got a question for numberdummy. You said that only 390 came with a 2v carb. Is that just for that year? I have a 77 F-150 with an engine from a 84 mercury grand marquis and it has a 2v carb. Just wondering if it was supposed to have a 2 or 4 v carb.

 

It isn't about some non-chalant car show. It's about numbers matching, concourse correct Barrett-Jackson type cars. ALL numbers have to match, that even includes brake pads/ shoes etc. which the casual observer would never see.

Josh

 

Did you read all the posts?

Someone found an FE engine with Mercury valve covers, and just assumed it was a Merc engine.

The discussion then involved the three MERCURY FE engines: 390, 410 and 428. Of these three...only the 390 could be had with a two barrel carb.

This thread has nothing to do with any other V8 engines.

 

I'm familiar with how auctions work. I used to work for the Kruse boys when they had auctions in CA.

Where are the Ford part/engineering numbers on brake shoes/pads? Ford bought these parts from Bendix. Only when the parts are first installed, is the Ford script (if any) marked on shoes/pads. Apply the brakes a coupla times, all traces of the Ford script are gone.

Would you call Pebble Beach a nonchalant car show?

 

Bill, this (Where are the Ford part/engineering numbers on brake shoes/pads?)

Makes me chuckle a bit.

When I bought my fully documented 68 Mustang in 1987 with 49,871 miles from the little old lady from Black Diamond AB ....when I checked out the brakes I unbelievably found the ORIGINAL Brake Equipment on all 4 corners.

Looking at the documentation of repairs over 19 years she never had a brake job done on the car. The miles on it were basically all highway.

Needless to say the car received some massive TLC when got it.

When I/we judged,normal wear replacement parts over-looked on daily driver cars.

Concours ? we knew people would do the best they could.

I'll try and get that pic for you today.

 

Sorry. Wasnt sure if you meant the only on out of the three or of any. My Bad.