Ford Engine Serial Number Lookup

What You Can Learn From a Ford VIN Lookup

Ford 289 and 302 cubic-inch engines, both members of Ford's 90-degree engine family, are similar engines with many interchangeable components. Identifying the engine as a 90-degree small-block Ford V8 is the first part of the process; differentiating the 289 and 302 follows.

  1. Consequently serial numbers and dates are no longer in order. In the summer and early fall of 1912 engines were made in a separate plant (only known as 'Detroit' in the records, and these engines were given 'B' numbers 1 through 12,247. These B-series engines were installed in random order beginning in October and ending in December 1912.
  2. The Ford part number on the box shown at left is on the top line: B8A-9431-A. Other information indicates it was an Engine Engineering Division design, weighs 9 pounds, provides information on the quality control inspection, and the date packed. A typical Ford part number looks like this: C5SZ-1005-A. Here's how this number is decoded.
  3. The original Ford casting number for the oil pan is C6OE-6675-A which indicates this oil pan is an engine part and belonging to the engine division. The 4th digit Engineering Component identifier represents the major component group to which the part belongs to and/or the Ford division that originally designed the part.

Every vehicle manufactured by the Ford Motor Company has a unique vehicle identification number. This VIN number is set by the manufacturer which describes all the vital information about that vehicle. A Ford VIN lookup will reveal the manufacturer, production year, engine and drive train, make and model, and much more. The easiest way to find the VIN on a Ford is to reference the registration card or the Ford vehicle title, if you have that in your possession. If that is not available then it can be found in multiple places that are permanently stamped on the vehicle

How to Find Your Ford VIN Number

  1. Embossed on the metal tag on the driver’s side dash board
  2. Stamped on the Ford driver’s side door
  3. Engraved on the frame of the Ford
  4. Stamped on the Ford’s original engine
  5. Find the VIN on your Ford’s registration card
  6. Located on your Ford’s vehicle title

Your Ford VIN can be located in multiple places on your car or truck. If for some reason this is difficult to find or the VIN is not readable then you can also find the Ford VIN number on your registration card or vehicle title.

Why Your Ford VIN is Important

It’s very important that you have access to this information if you need to lookup recalls, safety issues or just want to sell the vehicle. If all else fails you can lookup your Ford VIN by your license plate number as well as contacting the DMV directly for this information. The VIN on your Ford can also help you lookup all the details and original manufacturing information from the factory since it’s the manufacturer that is responsible for placing the VIN on the vehicle. It’s also important to note that every Ford vehicle identification number is unique.

Serial

How To Run a Ford Vehicle History Report By VIN

A vehicle history report can be run on any vehicle that has a VIN, custom built vehicles are the exception. By performing a Ford VIN lookup using a vehicle history report service you can not only find out the details of the Ford but if it has had any previous issues, accidents, recalls or known safety issues as reported by the NHTSA. If you are purchasing a used Ford vehicle then you might also want to match up the VIN number on the dash, the door, the engine, frame and transmission to make sure that everything is original. This has been problematic for many older vehicles that have been worked on or have had a major overhaul to the engine, transmission or drivetrain. Knowing how to run a Ford VIN lookup can help you save a lot of potential issues down the road when purchasing a used Ford Car or Truck. It’s basically the same as running a vehicle background check.

Free Government Resources To Lookup Your Ford VIN

There are a couple of free government resources you can use to perform a Ford VIN lookup. The NHTSA, or National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, can be used to lookup known vehicle safety and recall information by referencing your vehicle identification number. You can also go to VehicleHistory.gov which provides consumers with important vehicle information about the vehicle’s condition and it’s history. These services are completely free and have zero agenda as they are public resource provided by the federal government.

Ford VIN Lookup - FAQs

How to find out if my Ford has a recall?

Finding out if your Ford has a recall is very easy. You can visit the government website Safecar.gov and lookup known Ford recalls with a simple VIN lookup. Another option is to contact your local Ford dealership and inquire with the service department.

How can I lookup a vintage Ford VIN number?

Most online vehicle resources only allow you to run VIN numbers with 17digits. Vintage Ford vehicles have fewer than this and many online resources cannot lookup those up. You will want to find a service that specialized in vintage, or classic vehicles, or you can also inquire with the DMV directy.
Series Code
The first three digits of the warranty or vehicle vehicle identification number indicate the truck series.

CLICK HERE to see a complete listing of Series Codes.

Engine Code
The fourth digit of the warranty or vehicle identification number indicates basic engine identification. The chart at right shows engines used in the F-series light-duty trucks (F100/150/250/350) only.
CODEYEARCYLC.I.D.CarbType
A'73-'7462401-bbl.Exc. California
'75-'798460*4-bbl.7.5 Litre
B'73-'7963001-bbl.4.9 Litre
G'73-'7983022-bbl.5.0 Litre
H'73-'768390*2-bbl.
'77-'7983512-bbl5.8 Litre
J'73-'798460*4-bbl.7.5 Litre
M'75-'768390*4-bbl.
S'77-'7984002-bbl.6.6 Litre
Y'73-'7683602-bbl.
1'73-'7662401-bbl.Low compression - D.S.O.
5'7483602-bblLow compression - D.S.O.

* 390 and 460 engines not available from the factory w/ 4WD trucks.

SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck Master
Parts Catalog - Oct. 1979

Assembly Plant Code
The fifth digit of the warranty or vehicle identification number indicates the plant at which the vehicle was assembled.

SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog - Oct. 1979

CODEASSEMBLY PLANT
BOakville
COntario Truck
EManwah
HLorain
IHighland Park
KKansas City
LMichigan Truck
CODEASSEMBLY PLANT
NNorfolk
PTwin Cities
(Minneapolis/St Paul)
RSan Jose
SPilot Plant (Allen Park)
ULouisville
VKentucky Truck
Identification

Ford Engine Serial Number Lookup

Serial
Numerical Sequence of Assembly
A production serial number system is used to identify model years. The numbers shown below apply to all (except E-series).
From Serial No.To Serial NumberCataloged as
Model Year
Q00,001S60,0001973
S60,001V20,0001974
V20,001X40,0001975
A00,000D25,0001976
O00,001O99,9991977
X80,001Z25,000
AE0,001CK9,9991978
DC0,001FK9,0001979
SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog - Oct. 1979

Due to varying production volumes, the exact serial number with which a change becomes effective cannot be determined. When selecting part numbers referenced to serial numbers, the catalog specifications should be used as an aid in selecting the proper part number.

Note that up through 1977, the serial number consisted of one letter and 5 numbers (e.g. X00,000). From 1978, it changed to two letters followed by four numbers (e.g. XX0,000).

Ford Engine Block Code Identification

Number
Wheelbase
The actual wheelbase in inches is shown on the rating or warranty plate.

Color Code - Exterior Paint
The code under 'Color' indicates the exterior paint of the vehicle.

CLICK HERE to view the U.S. and Canadian exterior paint usage codes with Ford part numbers.

Model Code
The model code under 'TYPE/G.V.W.' indicates truck series and the corresponding G.V.W. rating.

CLICK HERE to view the complete listing of model codes.

Body Code
The first two digits of the three-digit body code is the trim code and identifies the color and type of materials used in the interior upholstery. (If only a single-digit trim code, there will be a space between the first and last digit, as shown here.) The third digit identifies the type of back of cab equipment.
THIS SECTION WILL BE EXPANDED SHORTLY
Body Type Descriptions

80 - Platform
83 - Flareside pickup box
86 - Platform and Rack
99 - Styleside pickup box

FIRST DIGITSECOND DIGITTHIRD
DIGIT
DESCRIPTIONCAB PARTSBEHIND
CAB PARTS
B thru G

FOR

FORD

INTERNAL

CONTROL

ONLY

4Ranger cab w/ styleside pickup box81E (exc. Crew Cab)99
DRanger cab w/ styleside pickup box81E (Crew Cab)99
K thru O4Ranger XLT cab w/ styleside pickup boxRanger XLT (exc. Crew Cab)99
2 thru 6DRanger XLT cab w/ styleside pickup boxRanger XLT (Crew Cab)99
3Custom cab w/ flareside box81A83
4Custom cab w/styleside box81A (exc. Crew Cab)99
DCustom cab w/ styleside pickup box81A (Crew Cab)99
5Custom cab w/ platform and racks81A86
7Cowl (less windshield)84-
8Custom cab w/o back of cab equipment81A (exc. Crew Cab)-
GCustom cab w/o back of cab equipment81A (Crew Cab)-
9Custom cab w/ platform81A80

TRIM CODES
BY YEAR

| 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 |

SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog - Oct. 1979

Transmission Code
CODEYEARSPD DESCR.TYPE
A'73-'794ManualNew Process 435
C'73-'793ManualFord
E'73-'794Manual
(D.S.O.) *
Warner T19
F'73-'794ManualWarner T18
G'73-'793 AutomaticFord
* Domestic Special Order
CODEYEARSPD DESCR.TYPE
J'793 AutomaticFord
K'793 AutomaticFord
P'73-'794ManualWarner T-19
X'78-'793 AutomaticC-6
(Fleet only)
Z'773 AutomaticC-6
(Fleet only)

SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog

Axle Code
The first two digits of the axle code identify the ratio and capacity of the rear axle.
The third digit of the axle code identifies the ratio and/or capacity of the front axle, if applicable.

CLICK HERE to see a complete listing of rear axle codes
CLICK HERE to see a complete listing of front axle codes

Gross Vehicle Weight
The gross vehicle weight rating for the vehicle (based on minimum equipment required).

District Code
The code shown identifies the district which ordered the unit.

If the vehicle is built on a D.S.O (Domestic Special Order), F.S.O. (Foreign Special Order) or L.S.O. (Limited Production Option), the complete order (invoice) number will also be shown after the District Code Number.

CodeDistrict
11Boston
12Buffalo
13New York
14Pittsburgh
15Newark
16Philadelphia
17Washington
21Atlanta
22Charlotte
23Memphis
24Jacksonville
25Richmond
26New Orleans
28Louisville
41Chicago
42Cleveland
43Milwaukee
45Lansing
46Indianapolis
47Cincinnati
48Detroit
CodeDistrict
52Dallas
53Kansas City
54Omaha
55St. Louis
56Davenport
57Hudson
58Twin Cities
71Los Angeles
72San Jose
73Salt Lake City
74Seattle
75Phoenix
76Denver
83Government
84Home Office Reserve
85American Red Cross
86Recreation
87Body Company
89Transportation Service
90-99Export
Ford of Canada
CodeDistrict
A1Central (Lincoln/Mercury)
A2Eastern (Lincoln/Mercury)
A3Atlantic (Lincoln/Mercury)
A4Midwestern (Lincoln/Mercury)
A6Western (Lincoln/Mercury)
A7Pacific (Lincoln/Mercury)
A8Great Lakes (Lincoln/Mercury)
B1Central (Ford)
B2Eastern (Ford)
B3Atlantic (Ford)
B4Midwestern (Ford)
B6Western (Ford)
B7Pacific (Ford)
B8Great Lakes (Ford
I2Export

SOURCE: 1973-1979 Ford Truck
Master Parts Catalog - Oct. 1979