MTFCA Forum

I have only looked closely at 12-15 Model T blocks over the years and have noted how crooked the numbers stamped on some are and how straight they are on others I assume depending on how rushed or experienced the worker on the assembly line was at the time.

Since Ford was picky about speed on the assembly line at what point did workers stop using individual punches for “VIN” numbers and move to punches where all numbers were done at the same time?

Some good older posts on this subject, they were always stamped one digit at a time.

The placement of vin/serial/motor identification numbers was a very specialized operation.

Only one person was allowed, nay, trained to place die and hammer to a motor block, as illustrated in the display of the 10 million T. Note those who are envious of not being allowed to hammer in a motor number.

Shortly after this photograph, N. Tesla invented a laser pen to produce vin numbers in a straight line.

Info on the how the factory did it on this thread from Feb.


viewtopic.php?t=18959

Maybe the crooked vin numbers were stamped on service blocks that were replaced by local mechanic shops? Just a thought

I know I will get a rebuttal on this, but have have not see an engine with my own eyes that the numbers were nice and straight. Look at the number of engines produced per day after the assembly line got perfected, I doubt much thought was given to making them nice and straight.

These were hand stamped, so yes, none are perfect. But depending on the skill of the employee, and likely the time of day, and a nicer shift, perhaps his work was very well done. Have seen several, including my '27 below that is fairly nicely done
Here is another nice one
These workers were proud of marking the Ford, with skilled hands, one motor numeral at a time.

I've always heard the Ford stamps were specially made for Ford, and differ somewhat from what you can buy locally?

Larry, they changed in '39 to make fake numbers more difficult to stamp. A star was added to each end of serial number, the 1 looks more like a capital I, the six looks like a lower case B, and the nine like a lower case G

Dan, I guess by the time the guy to 14 million he got good. My two '25s , my '14 and all of the spare engines I have are very hap hazard.

Motor Age for 1922 presented an article that included passenger car serial number from 1913 to 1920, cars from the ACE to the Winther. The purpose of the article was assist insurance companies in the recovery of stolen cars and a discussion for standard numbering of automobile motor and chassis numbers.

It was in 1916 that the SAE engine division reviewed the manufacturing practice of numbering engines. It was agreed that plain figures about 1/4 inch high stamped into a pad or plan surface cast on the engine should be the standard. All this was to be part of a theft protection program. It was suggested that a further solution was to place all numbers near the top of the right hand side of the crankcase, in a position that would be easy to read. The number should be between two vertical ribs or beads 1/4 wide, 1/8 inch high 3 inches long and 3 inches apart.