Topic: Article Research - Dates

[J_Speegle]

Along with other projects I've started on for the site concerning decoding date codes found on different parts that make up our cars. Think I've got a good start and most of the bases covered but since we've gotten a few questions as of late, what might I be missing?

The article will cover the different types of patterns and calendars used as well as how they are applied to the different parts.

Some of the subjects I've already gt on the list is

Dating:

- Glass
- Sheet metal
- Cast iron parts
- Cast aluminum parts
- Engine machining and assembly
- May leave tires as a stand alone article


Nay others you guys can think of ?


Thanks

[krelboyne]

Some things are going to have to be broken down by specific supplier.

Holley carburetors and Autolite / Motorcraft carburetors, do not use the same code for dating.

Likewise with Eaton / TRW power steering pump tags.

I think that the wheel manufactures used different dating methods too.

Probably lots more examples like the above?

[jwc66k]

The metal tags used on major components, engine, transmission, rear axle, A/C, etc. Although they are documented in the Ford Car Parts, many do not have a set of those books sitting around for reference.
Are there variations between product lines (Mercury, trucks, etc)?
Jim

[J_Speegle]

The metal tags used on major components, engine, transmission, rear axle, A/C, etc. Although they are documented in the Ford Car Parts, many do not have a set of those books sitting around for reference.
Are there variations between product lines (Mercury, trucks, etc)?
Jim

Don't know how much of a variation if any between product lines. Think it would be more based on the manufacturing plant providing the parts to the assembly plants. 

At this point other than decoding the dates on those - the rest will have to be left for another effort

[J_Speegle]

Some things are going to have to be broken down by specific supplier. ............

With out a doubt some of the date patterns are a result of the supplier rather than a Ford requirement

Updated  - Dating:

- Glass
- Sheet metal
- Cast iron parts
- Cast aluminum parts
- Engine machining and assembly
- Harmonic balancers
- Holley carburetors
- Wheels
- Bumpers
- Tags - Engine ID, Rear end, Steering boxes, PS pump
- Power steering rams and control head caps
- Rear leaf springs
- Shocks
- Muffler

- May leave tires as a stand alone article
- Likely will not touch on some of the ones that are not visible after a car is assembled  or save these for part #2
Upholstery, radios, seat springs, heaters ....

[70cj428]

How about rubber thermactor / PCV hoses. If I remember correctly they have odd ball date coding. Not sure about rad hoses cause I don't have any original examples...

[J_Speegle]

How about rubber thermactor / PCV hoses. If I remember correctly they have odd ball date coding. Not sure about rad hoses cause I don't have any original examples...

Good idea though I might need to make all rubber parts a part #2 or #3. Lets see we've got fan belts, all sorts of hoses ......

Likely have to tap the knowledge of Kevin and Jack since they both reproduce related products

[Sean C. Gearty]

    Distributors
    Fuel Pumps
    Radiator
    Smog Pump
    Carter Smog Can
    Thermostat HSG Vacuum Valve
    Washer Bottle
    Valve Covers     

Sorry not looking to create any work here, but these were some of the things above your list that I keep records of when pulling apart my cars or searching for the right replacement part.
Thanks, Sean

[J_Speegle]

    Distributors - Those should fit in the same pattern as the casting date style
 
    Fuel Pumps - SInce the Carter dating is a bit different - yes we can include that

    Radiator - Going to be a larger section since many years & different suppliers

    Smog Pump &    Carter Smog Can - Both pretty easy

    Thermostat HSG Vacuum Valve - Guess your referring to the PVS ported vacuum switches. Not all are dated but since I've already go the pictures and plenty examples for when I provided them to Scott over on the 428 CJ site this will be easy

    Washer Bottle - Are you speaking of the ink date stamp ?

    Valve Covers - Sheet metal ones would fall into the sheet metal pattern and the aluminum ones (when dated - not all are) would fall into one of the cast aluminum patterns but yes will be included

[Sean C. Gearty]

Yes was thinking of the ink stamp date located on the bottles. They appear to be stamped by the factory making them for Ford.

[CharlesTurner]

The metal tags used on major components, engine, transmission, rear axle, A/C, etc. Although they are documented in the Ford Car Parts, many do not have a set of those books sitting around for reference.
Are there variations between product lines (Mercury, trucks, etc)?
Jim

Kevin Marti's "Tagbook" has most of that in it: http://www.martiauto.com/itemselection.cfm?item=Book-Tagbook

[J_Speegle]

Been working (well when I find time) on this article and could use some pictures. Seems that I'm missing a few and rather than waitign until I run across good examples I thought I would see if anyone has some to offer to the cause

Currently looking for close (but not so close that you can not see what the part is)  and clear pictures of the following

- Dated band hose clamps. Can be from radiator or heater hoses

- Stamped steel oil pan with the date stamp

- Debossed fan belt - same style Kevin Marti reproduces

- Thermactor pump date

- Couple nice and clear ( I know good luck) windshield markings .

- Motor Wheel rim and center dates


Of course all have to be originals - not reproductions. I'm at 25 pages so far so we'll see how big it is once done. As mentioned before there will likely be updates as we find more things that were dated and other details. Thanks to all

[Brian Conway]

Sorta like this wheel from my 65 or this rear window from my 69 ?  Where do you want them sent ?  Any particular size  ?  Brian

[J_Speegle]

Sorta like this wheel from my 65 or this rear window from my 69 ?  Where do you want them sent ?

Wheel works - need a windshield/laminated glass example at this time - Thanks

Any particular size  ?  Brian

Since we're not doing a coffee table picture book    what you posted appears to work fine. In focus and enough contrast

Thanks again

[krelboyne]

Been working (well when I find time) on this article and could use some pictures. Seems that I'm missing a few and rather than waitign until I run across good examples I thought I would see if anyone has some to offer to the cause

Currently looking for close (but not so close that you can not see what the part is)  and clear pictures of the following

- Dated band hose clamps. Can be from radiator or heater hoses

- Stamped steel oil pan with the date stamp

- Debossed fan belt - same style Kevin Marti reproduces

- Thermactor pump date

- Couple nice and clear ( I know good luck) windshield markings .

- Motor Wheel rim and center dates


Of course all have to be originals - not reproductions. I'm at 25 pages so far so we'll see how big it is once done. As mentioned before there will likely be updates as we find more things that were dated and other details. Thanks to all

I can get pictures of original Carlite windshield etchings, and Motor wheel numbers.

Jeff, at this time, are you only looking at 1968-71 smog pumps?