Ford oddities on my car….

[Zeke3]

I have two 1937 frames. One frame has the serial number stamped between the two large rivets that attach the steering box bracket to the left frame rail. The other frame has the serial number stamped between the group of three rivets and the inner edge of the frame flange. The group of three rivets are the rear rivet for the steering box bracket and two rivets for attaching the “X” frame to the outer frame rails. I hope this helps your search for the serial number.

[38 coupe]

I have only looked for (and found) serial numbers on left hand drive cars. Is the serial number on the other side frame rail, near the steering box, on right hand drive cars?

[DavidG]

Some, but not all, of the Canadian-sourced RHD vehicles had their engine numbers stamped on the right side frame rail. The U.S.-sourced RHD vehicles seem to have pretty well followed the Dearborn directive to stamp the number on the left side regardless of the steering orientation.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by DavidG

You are right about the relatively greater challenge in finding parts for RHD vehicles which largely reflects the much larger proportion of original LHD production.

Oh yes indeed !! Oh how I envy you guys with your supply of LHD parts

[38convsedan]

So I stripped paint along entire driver’s side (left side) frame rail from firewall to front crossmember…and no identification number is present.
Could it be on passenger side?
Were F prefix cars stamped on the right frame rail?

[rockfla]

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Originally Posted by 38convsedan

So I stripped paint along entire driver’s side (left side) frame rail from firewall to front crossmember…and no identification number is present.
Could it be on passenger side?
Were F prefix cars stamped on the right frame rail?

Yes to the right side rail

[38convsedan]

Hmmm… stripped right side frame rail from firewall to just pass crossmember.. no ID number on this side either. I had easy access to this side and clearly there is nothing.
??!!
Is it possible no ID number on front frame rails?
Perhaps I missed it on driver’s side??
Weird…

[DavidG]

Is there a bracket on the inside of the right hand frame rail that is the mirror image of the bracket for the steering gear box on the inside of the left hand frame rail?

[38convsedan]

Passenger frame photos…I’m starting to see stars and serial numbers in my sleep.
Just realized first photo is reversed…

[rockfla]

NOT sure on 1938 BUT my 39 is way forward almost at the front cross member.

[38convsedan]

David-I do not see the bracket on right side.
It looks as though the bracket was removed when LHD conversion took place to accommodate exhaust pipe. There are holes where rivets once were located…

[38convsedan]

Ok…just rechecked driver’s side from firewall to crossmember…went over entire area with 0000 steel wool…not even a hint of any stars, numbers, letters, or anything else. Are there any instances where the number is located past the crossmember toward front?
Are there any frames that were not stamped?
How difficult is it to remove the body and check other locations?(JUST KIDDING!!).
Any ideas/suggestions??

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by 38convsedan

Ok…just rechecked driver’s side from firewall to crossmember…went over entire area with 0000 steel wool…not even a hint of any stars, numbers, letters, or anything else. Are there any instances where the number is located past the crossmember toward front?
Are there any frames that were not stamped?
How difficult is it to remove the body and check other locations?(JUST KIDDING!!).
Any ideas/suggestions??

Based on your third picture of your post #29, on my 39 Merc the number was partially obscured by the brake line running along the frame about where the "hole" and the "rivet" are in your photo!!! I had to clean pretty good to get it to show through!!!

[tubman]

Originally Posted by 38convsedan

Ok…just rechecked driver’s side from firewall to crossmember…went over entire area with 0000 steel wool…not even a hint of any stars, numbers, letters, or anything else. Are there any instances where the number is located past the crossmember toward front?
Are there any frames that were not stamped?
How difficult is it to remove the body and check other locations?(JUST KIDDING!!).
Any ideas/suggestions??

I could never find a stamped number on the frame rail of my '36 3-window. I thought I was pretty thorough, although I didn't go to the effort you did. This was about 30 years ago, so it wasn't a big deal.

[Mart]

It sometimes helps if you hold a light source at a very low angle and sort of cast a shadow across the surface.

[swoopNZ]

If it was originally RHD there will be 3 holes on the RH side of the cowl where the hand brake was attached.They may have been filled.
SwoopNZ.

[Karl]

The passage of time makes things complicated But they certainly didn't all come from the factory equipped as the books say-
My early RHD 1934 Fordor Has a 34 Grill, Shock arms and most other 34 fittings but has a Two piece dashboard (with a 34 insert) plus 33 Bumpers and cowl vent- All of it original -I'm sure they were just using up the available 33 parts

[38convsedan]

SwoopNZ…Yes..those holes for hand brake have been filled…

[Als48]

Hey there, I'm like Mart, in that I think I see the faintest of numbers showing through in your photos, between the rivet and that 1/4" or so hole. Keep cleaning and I think you'll find some numbers. I went through the same process as you, swearing there was nothing there on my '48, but there it was, faint but stamped on the left rail near the radiator mount.

Al H.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Als48

Hey there, I'm like Mart, in that I think I see the faintest of numbers showing through in your photos, between the rivet and that 1/4" or so hole. Keep cleaning and I think you'll find some numbers. I went through the same process as you, swearing there was nothing there on my '48, but there it was, faint but stamped on the left rail near the radiator mount.

Al H.