Anyone want to guess the serial number on this TT?I say it's 14677768 from January 1927
Chris,
I took a look and tried to change the contrast and zoom-in to get a better look. The first two digits are not clear enough in that photo for me to really see them. If you have or if you can obtain a higher resolution photo there is a better chance we can actually tell what they are. If so please post them and/or click on my name at the beginning of this post and e-mail me a copy. My e-mail address is the third line down in my profile. Please put Model T in the subject line and it will be read much sooner. If you have access to the vehicle, some fine sand paper and a sanding block should make it very easy to read. A wire brush would also probably work. Just remove the rust – not the metal.
We know if it is an original Ford stamping it should not be a 15,6xxx,xxx at the beginning since the last Model T engine that was assembled in 1941 was number 15,176,888 (ref page 537 of Bruce McCalley's "Model T Ford.") If it was a 13 at the beginning it would be late Apr to mid May 1926. Both of the 13 & 14 would have the crankcase support straps on the engine (unless they had been removed). And 12 at the front would be the end of Oct through mid Nov 1925 -- but still the "improved" engine with the wide pedals etc and it might also have the engine crankcase support straps -- but could have been produced without them.
If you can see the TT, also check the top of the frame rail where the engine serial number would have been stamped starting Dec 12, 1925. Ref: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/doc25.htm Accession 94. Walter Fishleigh files. “Motor number was first placed on frame side member R.H. on Dec. 12, 1925. Motor No. 12,861,044. Information obtained from Mr. Burns, Final Assy., Highland Park.”
Good luck with project.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Haps idea is the best...it might come right in close enough to the frame number to rationalize hidden digits.
Another idea. Chalk it...sand it only lightly to remove high chalk...and try again with the photo! When Hap started his body number searches years ago, I happened to only have 'glow in the dark' chalk from the grand-kids being over. Even with paint infill on the body sills I was able to pick up the body number and that is why those pictures Hap used of my findings have a funny blue cast to them. Worth a try!
Here's another idea similar to George's.
Block sand the area the serial number is on until it's reasonably smooth, then paint it with black magic marker. Block sand it again. The magic marker will sink into the rust in the numbers and make them more visible. It's worked for me.
That third 7 looks different so maybe not a 7. The 6 next to the 8 looks different than the first 6. Maybe a 2, stamped lower?
That third 7 looks different than the others, and the 6 that is next to the 8 does not match the first 6. Maybe its a 2, stamped lower?
Hi Chris
If you were not using the macro setting and have enough natural light
(or other none glare source of light) try using the macro setting to get
a clearer close up photo of the number. (don’t use zoom)
You can get as close as 1.6” with your Nikon on that setting.
Regards
Art
Art:
Thanks for the tip on the Nikon camera; I need a complete lesson on how to really use that thing. I'll try another photo soon.