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Author
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Topic: VIN on 351C 4V?
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 2951
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 12-17-2004 08:47 AM
   
I'm about to make a fairly lengthy trip to check out a 71 M code (351C 4V), and the seller tells me it's "numbers matching". I've personally only ever seen 429s with partial VINs stamped on them, at the rear on the driver's side. The seller says the number is stamped on the passenger side at the front.
Does this sound right? Do 351C 4Vs typically have such a stamping? (It's not a CJ.) I'm wary because some old Ford blocks here have VINs stamped on them over the years by the Land Transportation Office to comply with registration requirements. Most old Stang registration papers, however, just say "same as chassis" in the engine i.d. box.
Thanks,
Simon
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Hans olsson
Gearhead Posts: 589
From: Sweden
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-17-2004 10:20 AM
The block in our car had the number on the left rear.Same as the vin number.
Hans
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- VIN 1F05M139343
- 71 Mach 1 Ram-Air
- 351C 4V 285 HP
- F-G/Stock Aut
- Stockers are way cool!
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 2951
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 12-17-2004 10:44 AM
Thanks Hans! That would be the same place I've seen them on 429s. That's where I'll look.
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Hans olsson
Gearhead Posts: 589
From: Sweden
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 12-17-2004 11:18 AM
Good luck!  ------------------
- VIN 1F05M139343
- 71 Mach 1 Ram-Air
- 351C 4V 285 HP
- F-G/Stock Aut
- Stockers are way cool!
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Hemikiller
Gearhead Posts: 551
From: Killingworth, CT
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 12-17-2004 11:31 AM
The vin stamping will be at the top of the block, behind the drivers side cylinder head. Bring a can of carb or brake cleaner, rags and some sort of scraper. Gets kinda goopy in this area. Don't forget a flashlight as well.Normally, it'll be : year - assy plant - consecutive unit # If the vin of the car is 1T05M999999, them the stamping should be.. 1T999999 Ford left out the body and engine codes. If it's not numbers matching, I wouldn't be terrible concerned. However, make the seller feel like it's the end of the world and beat him ood on the price. 351C blocks are all pretty much the same. Just make sure it has the 4V heads. My 71 XR-7 was numbers matching. I have the original block on a stand with the #5 main spun into the next century. Hopefully a line bore can fix it.....
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 2951
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 12-17-2004 11:38 AM
quote:
Just make sure it has the 4V heads.
Cripes! I need a crash course in this. No time to go searching!
He says it has the four-barrel intake, and I'd always thought that intake couldn't be matched up to 2V heads. Then I found a thread somewhere here that said a lot of folks used to do it, even though it was an ugly business.
Quick question: what are the visual or casting differences between a 2V and 4V heads? The engine is in a car, and I don't plan on pulling the heads.
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travs69
Gearhead Posts: 134
From: Bethalto, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-17-2004 12:57 PM
There is a 2 or a 4 cast into the heads on the upper corners.. you should be able to see them fairly easily. If it is a factory 4B intake then it should have 4B heads.
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 2951
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 12-19-2004 11:50 AM
Well, for anyone who attempts this in the future, it is impossible to see the VIN on the rear of a 351C block with the engine in the car, unless you have dentists' tools like a mirror with a light on a flexible handle - plus a similar tool to clean the paint off first. It CAN, however, be done with a 429 'cos I've done it.
The heads and the intake checked out. I told the guy I'd make him a serious offer if I could drop the oil pan (to check for the 4-bolt mains) and he refused. So I walked.
The "VIN" on the front of the block was, indeed, a local stamping for registration purposes. I tried to explain Ford would never have stamped the body code and 05 for Mach 1 on the block, but he pretended not to believe me. That helped me to walk away from the deal too.
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