Unique Engine Number

[30Coupe]

My engine number is *A2565731* but immediately below, "F5100" is stamped in the lower left and lower right (two places) on the engine number plate/boss. I can find absolutely no reference to this "F5100" stamping. Has anyone else either seen it or know what it is? Thanks! -Joe

[DaWizard]

Hey Joe, first, Welcome to the site, second, do you have a place of build on the rail under the front seat?

Also, what style of car is it?

After looking up a bit of info, I can make a somewhat educated guess.

If in fact you have a number on the cross member beginning with the letter "F", that would mean the car was assembled at the Rouge, Mi plant. Now, IF the number on the cross member is also 5100, whew, what a find you have as it was not only assembled at the Rouge plant, they took the time to not only number the block when it passed final test, they also stamped the assembly sequence on the block. Now, THAT would be an improbable find, but not impossible occurrence.

[30Coupe]

Sir, good evening. No, I don't, but as soon as it's light in the morning, I'll have one for you! I honestly didn't know to look for one. Is this perhaps related to the "F5100" on my block? It is potentially noteworthy that my title indicates that the car was imported (which isn't corroborated by the engine number).

Thank you, also, for your hospitality. I look forward to corresponding with the folks here - seem like a really nice bunch of fellas.

[DaWizard]

Ok, look either on the door sill, or directly in front of the seat base on that cross member for a letter(s) and number. Could be readable from any direction.

[30Coupe]

I apologize - I missed your second question. I believe it's what you'd call a 5-window coupe. It's got a rumble seat.

[Mitch]

I am thinking that the F5100 is an aftermarket re builders ID that was added below the original engine number

[Mike V. Florida]

I am thinking that the F5100 is an aftermarket re builders ID that was added below the original engine number

My guess as well.

[30Coupe]

Folks, I've looked all along in front of the bench seat for the body number and can't identify anything. Generally speaking, is the number found in front of the driver? Passenger? Of the cross-member, itself, is the number stamped on the horizontal surface or the vertical surface?

I really appreciate all the neat feedback I've gotten from this site - especially considered design that I've only been a member for a day!!

[Mitch]

Joe the assembly plant code and number is usually stamped on the metal cross brace in front of the seat. Ck out this link to the Ford Garage site, and also use the search box on the same site for other info. IE: type "engine number" or whatever your looking for

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/assemblyplantbodynumbers.htm

[30Coupe]

[30Coupe]

Gents, above is a picture of the area in front of my bench seat. With respect to the seat adjustment knob, where might I find the number I'm looking for? Thanks very much!

[Mitch]

here is another link about locations etc :

http://model-a-ford.org/model-a-ford-assembly-plants-and-body-numbers/

[DaWizard]

You know, that number could be stamped anywhere along the length of that cross brace right under the adjusting knob. OR, try pulling the step plate and look along the door sill. They were readable from every direction, from either side. That is probably the one thing that was not really standardized, but more likely than not it is somewhere on the top of that brace.
I would take a hand wire brush and just scuff the top and see what pops up. Since I have a Tudor, I can tell you mine is right beside the inside drivers seat front mount, so about 12" or so from the door sill edge.

Good luck, happy hunting.

[tbirdtbird]

steel wool works well, too

[Tom Wesenberg]

My cars have the number right where my heel would be if I sit in the seat with my feet straight down on the floor.

[Dave in MD]

29 Coupe,
Not all cars were stamped with these production numbers, but a good many of the Ford built bodies were. You look from under the car as sometimes you can identify where there is a depression. Also years of paint can build up and fill in the letters/numbers, which from the picture posted does not appear to be the case on your car. Is your car a Special or Standard Coupe. Ford made the Specials from July of 1928 until July of 1929. The top material extends down to below the rear window on the Specials, which was Fords effort to dress up the coupe. Also, is there a date stamped into your gas tank on the drivers side of the firewall.Look just above the flange where the gas tank attaches to the lower firewall panel. Sometimes they were stamped upside down.
Welcome to the forum,
Dave

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

WELCOME '29 Coupe!
IF you need help on your Citroen 2-CV, I VAGUELLY remember they were a 2 Cylinder-Air Cooled engine--LOL
Bill Citroenfixer

[30Coupe]

Gentlemen, I sincerely appreciate the warm hospitality as I've entered this virtual community. I apologize for dropping off the net, as I've spent the last few days with my mother in the hospital. (Everything's fine, thank God.).

So, in an effort to follow up with the exceptional counsel I've been given by this group, I've looked for numbers on my car everywhere it's been recommended to do so, and I can find nothing. The only number I've been able to locate is the (very obvious) engine number. So far, I've inspected the body crossmember, the door jambs, and the fuel cell. Any other thoughts?

Having only been been a member, here, for a week, I've truly enjoyed my interactions so far, and I thank all of you for taking the time that you have to talk with me about my Model A.

-Joe

[DaWizard]

Wow, glad to hear your mom is all good.

As for the car, I can't imagine it with no other numbers. I am including 2 shots of mine so you can guesstimate where yours should be.

Tank Num 1.jpgTank Num 2.jpg

[30Coupe]

Sir, it's very interesting because, I just went out to look for the number you've shown, above, and my firewall doesn't have the "seam" in it that yours does. My firewall is one-piece from top to bottom. Have you ever seen one like mine?

Evenwithout the seam, however, I look in the same general area and didn't find anything.

Joe

[30Coupe]

So, I believe I've just discovered something: It appears that 1928/9 model years have the horizontal "seam" in the firewall - Model years 30/1 do not. So, based on this, (and assuming my observation is correct), it appears that my car is a 1930 or 1931, and my engine, based on the number (A2565731) appears to be a 1929. Taking it one step further, I may have just convinced myself that my car doesn't have its original engine.

Perhaps I'm way off base..

[DaWizard]

Well now, that IS unusual. Here I thought the '29 also had the 2 piece firewall/gas tank, and it wasn't til later that the one piece firewall was introduced.

Now, see, if you have a single piece firewall, that should be a 1930.

[30Coupe]

Yes, sir. I think you're spot on. My observation was that 1930 and later had the one-piece firewall. My body/chassis must then be a 1930 or later, while my engine block is a 1929.

[DaWizard]

Ok, after doing a wee bit more research with the information I have, your engine should have been built on 10/31/29, which, given the fact we don't know where it was assembled, I have been told that the Los Angles plant did not stamp assembled bodies. Now, if we extrapolate the time frame for delivery from Rouge to Los Angles at three to four weeks, that would put your car in the build of the 1930 cars on the assembly line.

Sorry I can't give you any more information without a frame number, but hey, it's something to go on.

And with the one piece firewall, it is a 1930 body.

[Mitch]

Joe how about posting some pics of your car, incld the engine bay.
We love pics and can tell you a lot from them
I'm also glad all is well with your mom

[30Coupe]

Mitch, by the way, I sincerely appreciate your thoughts concerning my mom. We've been struggling with an advancing small-nerve neuropathy and praying for some sort of symptomatic relief. I appreciate your well-wishes! All this car stuff is fun until you put it in perspective by watching someone in chronic pain.

[30Coupe]

I'll get some pics posted today. My only challenge with posting pics here is that I don't know how to reduce the size to something that's acceptable for upload. I'll work on that, today, and try to have something tonight for everyone to see.

[30Coupe]

Gentlemen, pursuant to my original "Engine Number" post, and further in the hopes of characterizing the car in my possession, I respectfully submit the photos which follow. Any thoughts, ideas, advice, et al, are more than welcome. Here goes:

[30Coupe]

[30Coupe]