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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Mercury Discussion / Serial numbers and car codes

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TomC750

11-22-2024 @ 6:50 PM

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I have been making a mistake on the forum by mixing in a second subject with a previous one.

So, I have started a new discussion about serial (VIN) numbers and car codes, and my serial# in particular. Where do the characters after the dash come in? In other words. assuming my serial# is correct, how would I know if it is a coupe or a sedan coupe? Is the model# somewhere else on the car?

Now, so far I assume my Ser# is not correct by reviewing Mercury car codes. Now that I have the forwardmost floor pan removed, tomorrow I will take off the little plate which should allow me to look at the # on the bellhousing. I looked at the frame today, it is very clean but not a trace of a number can be seen.

Tom

nelsb01

11-22-2024 @ 7:17 PM

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Not an expert here, but information about an individual vehicle and Ford Motor Company really did not start until the 1949 models. It was then that stampings on the cowl could be deciphered to determine plant of assembly, body code, color code, month of assembly and upholstery trim.
Prior to 1949, the serial numbers were basically year and sequence number of motor assembly. (the motor number then becoming the vehicle number, or VIN).

Hope this helps some.

TomC750

11-23-2024 @ 4:59 PM

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Thanks nelsbo1, I did find the ser# on the frame today, some wire brushing away paint revealed * 425436* which conforms to my Mercury's #. When I chalked them the numerals stood right out but the area between the star and the 4 was apparently affected by rust, all I could see was a part of a #, could be a 9 or zero. or something else. So, this partial info conforms to my title, but the 99 rather than 19 on the tile is a mystery.

Next, in an effort to determine if the engine is original to the car, after removing the narrow plate on the cowl I was able to clean up the bell, but all I could find is what appears to be a casting#, E2014. I don't know if that might be relevant to the year or not. I will stay on my quest!

Tom

This message was edited by TomC750 on 11-25-24 @ 6:06 PM

TomO

11-25-2024 @ 9:56 AM

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When the Mercury was introduced for 1939, it was designated as model 99A. The 1940 Mercury was designated as 09A and the 41 Mercury was 19A.

The engine serial numbers for the 239 ci in motor was assigned a prefix of 99, so your serial number should have the prefix of 99. This shows that the engine series started in 1939. This numbering system stayed in place until the 1947 models were introduced. A change was made to include the model year in the serial number. So a 1947 Ford or Mercury V-8 ( both cars used the 239 cu in motor) would have a serial number prefix of 799.

You can see the changes in the serial numbers here:
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_serialnumbers.htm

In 1941 Ford made another change to identify the 239 cu in engine, they came from the factory painted dark blue.

Tom

TomC750

11-25-2024 @ 5:48 PM

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TomO,

Thanks a whole bunch for clearing that up for me. I have long been familiar with the Ford parts numbering system, that the prefix carried through in ensuing years, (think U joints), but I did not envision that a serial number would be tied to that same system.

I still have been trying to read the serial# on the engine bellhousing, to no avail. I stripped the paint off, thinking it could mask the #, and then sticking my phone in at various angles and taking pics. No luck. Guess I'll have to give up on that quest. What makes me think I may have a swapped engine is that my engine is green. I like the green better anyway!

My ser# being 99A425436 is one of the later ones. I am not familiar with casting numbers, my block is E2014 and has "A" heads.

TomE

This message was edited by TomC750 on 11-25-24 @ 6:12 PM

TomO

11-26-2024 @ 10:52 AM

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Ford did not stamp the serial number on the engine housing.

I don't know how to identify a 41 Mercury block. I believe some of the early ones had 5tthe 340 block with the steel sleeves. These were identified with 2 stampings on the on the top of the block where the intake manifold mounts near the front of the engine. One of the stamping is HS and the other is 99. The later cars had the block without the freeze plugs at the bottom rail and the raised deck.

The heads should be P/N 81A-6049 and 81A-6050.

Tom

Rockfla

11-26-2024 @ 12:40 PM

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Technically, they are NOT "serial numbers" in the sense you are referring to it as, they are engine assembly plant log book number. For example, my 39 Mercury frame is stamped 99A-10006, the body tag number is 99A73-1808 so NO correlation from the engine number to my body tag number.

This message was edited by Rockfla on 11-26-24 @ 12:45 PM

TomC750

11-26-2024 @ 6:05 PM

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My '41 Merc reference book (owners manual) states on P6 under Engine Number: The engine number is also the serial number of the car and is located at rear of engine on the top of the clutch housing.

I have always thought that was the case. Maybe more discussion will ensue.

TomE

ford38v8

11-26-2024 @ 9:33 PM

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Tom, I can tell you with confidence that information you quoted about location is not correct. Is it possible that you quoted from memory? If word for word as in your owners manual, the author was at best, confused.
In fact, the engine assembly received its hand stamped serial number on the upper bell of the transmission. This number is visible upon removal of the floorboard’s metal transmission cover. I’m not certain, but it may also be visible under the small inspection plate on that cover.

Alan

TomC750

11-27-2024 @ 1:13 PM

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Alan, I Quoted it word for word from the owners manual sitting beside me. It does seem odd that it would be wrong, but mistakes are made. I wonder why it would be on the transmission, what if it were replaced? It so happens I have the front floorboard panel off, so I'll check when we get back after Thanksgiving. Speaking of, have a good one.

TomE

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