Does 59's have matching numbers?

[bherold]

Where do I find the matching number codes on a 59 Squarebird? I'm trying to decide if rebuilding the motor or dropping a new one in is the way to go. If there are number codes I would think rebuilding would keep the value up.

Thanks!!!

[Alexander]

Welcome.

There are no matching numbers on Ford cars until the 1960's. I forget which year. There is a date code on the engine. It should be before the production date of the car. What exact time period is a matter of some controversy.

[JohnG]

numbers

Can you locate the engine number?? If not, I can look in Steve Christ's book on FEs and see if it tells the location. I know where to look on a 58 but I suspect it is a different place on a '59.

Both that number and the VIN can be converted into dates.

You may have to work at reading the casting info on the block. I had to clean mine and then look at it with a flashlight from various angles before I was sure of how to read it.

The two numbers (block and VIN) are often good for verifying that the engine did NOT come with the car...

...later... from what the Lovefords site says, the numbers are in the same place on the 58 and 59. If so then I have a picture on line of my own block out of the car in the sun. There is also the decoding below the picture. You can look at

<http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm >

if you scroll about 2/3 of the way down the (long) page.

john
58 Hardtop

[tmjsong1aolcom]

Engine Casting # and date codes

Each of the engine pieces have casting numbers and date codes. Yes the 58-60 352's all have the same info. albeit different dates and casting numbers.

Besides these on an protruding casting from the engine block right next to the dip stick the assembly date ect is stamped into the smooth flat surface. It is usually painted over and difficult to see.

I have pics of most of the locations on a 58 for those interested. I can email if desired.

Alex is correct about how far preceeding the bird assembly date the engine date would be.

Fuz
58's &64's
Sun Prairie, Wi.
tmjsong1@aol.com

[byersmtrco]

Are those #'s visable with the eng in the car?
I know mine isn't correct, but just wondering

[JohnG]

block # view?

hi John
Lying under the engine with the car jacked up some, you need to be under the passenger side exhaust manifold and looking directly up. Then you need to have a wire brush and a light for looking at them from different angles. With a little luck you can figure them out. Take a look at my photo before you do so you know what you are looking for.

john

[bherold]

Thanks all!

That's what I needed. Thanks again!

Bob

[JohnG]

hi Bob
make sure and report back on what you actually found for numbers and what they converted to for dates and so on.

thanks!
John

[JBird]

Part numbers

Where do I find the matching number codes on a 59 Squarebird? I'm trying to decide if rebuilding the motor or dropping a new one in is the way to go. If there are number codes I would think rebuilding would keep the value up.

Thanks!!!

Many of the parts for a 1959 T-Bird will be stamped with ink or cast or metal stamped with a part number. What many people think of with early Fords as matching numbers is for example:

A "B9S" prefix before the part number indicated the part is for a B= 1950 plus 9 equals 1959 and the "S" means it is a THUNDERBIRD part. B8S is a 1958 T-Bird and some early 1959's have some of those B8S numbers as Ford used up the last of the 1958 years parts inventory.

Matching numbers could mean your car has B8S or B9S parts and rarely a C0S could be found which was an early part # for the C=1960 plus 0 equals 1960 and again the "S" is for Thunderbird which may be found on late model 1959 T-Birds.

Check it out. Look at your exhaust manifolds for example. Window Regulators were stamped with white ink etc.

jbird