pinpointing month date-of-assembly

[Brubaker]

Other than the frame stamp and block stamp, any other markers/clues to pinpoint the assembly date? I have March '31 written down for my 165-C, but engine block is 11/06/29 (no help). For the life of me I can't remember how I determined my earlier dating. Non-slant standard fordor.

[redmodelt]

Number stamped on the frame. BUT the body has to be lifted to see it.

[JKY]

Us '28 and '29 owners use the number stamped on the fuel tank. My brother has an October 28 pickup with an engine from the same month. My '29 Tudor has a June date on the tank and a June date on the engine. We got lucky!

[McMimmcs]

I also got a number off the tank for one of my Model A's but there was a number of used A tanks for sale the last time I was at Hershey. So I really don’t know if my tank is original.

[Bill Cilker]

At this point, you would have to use the frame number. The Slant Window Sedans started production in late March of 1931. If you do have a March of 1931 165-C then it was one of the last produced. Take your frame/engine number and add about 3 months from it's production date to get the date of vehicle manufacture.

[WTSHNN]

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The frame number will tell you the day the original engine was assembled, it could be 2-3 months before it was put into a car and stamped onto the frame.

If you want to get into the tiny details you should go through Pluck's research studies and narrow down an assembly date based on when certain parts and features were released.

Start with the gas tank. Many subtle changes can possibly help narrow down the time-line.
http://www.plucks329s.org/gastank.htm

-Tim

[Mister Moose]

What resource tells you the day of manufacture? The lists I've seen only identify the month and year.

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by Mister Moose

What resource tells you the day of manufacture? The lists I've seen only identify the month and year.

Here you go. http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/studie...n%20Charts.pdf

[McMimmcs]

With all due respect, why does the day matter ?

[Bill Cilker]

There is no way to know the day of manufacture. You can estimate the month of manufacture with the engine / frame number. It is easier with a car that has the original interior, because there are changes that will help ID the month. If it has been reupholstered then it is more difficult.

[Brentwood Bob]

That is putting a fine point on it. Estimating by average production for a day would be my approach.

[Brubaker]

Really didn't mean to imply determining the exact day. Wording should have been month.
Turns out to be Sept-->Dec 1930 (165-C). Likely closer to December. Going through Steve's articles (and with his help actually) turned out to be an enjoyable process. Gas tank ID; frame body bracket placement (the front moving back 2 3/8" in my case); frame body bracket additions (#6 specifically); emergency brake shaft changes, all were helpful indicators.

[Brentwood Bob]

As much accuracy as you can accumulate.
Ran into some details like yours dating tops and bottoms of zeniths.
Asking for steve's help was a good thing.
His articles are through.

[JKY]

Originally Posted by WTSHNN

The frame number will tell you the day the original engine was assembled, it could be 2-3 months before it was put into a car and stamped onto the frame.

If you want to get into the tiny details you should go through Pluck's research studies and narrow down an assembly date based on when certain parts and features were released.

Start with the gas tank. Many subtle changes can possibly help narrow down the time-line.
http://www.plucks329s.org/gastank.htm

-Tim

That Pluck is a good man. Lots of work he's shared with us.

[Brubaker]

Forgot to mention the one-piece splash apron. That helped too.