VIN Assist

[Marauder359]

VIN#: 7K48C154369

7 = 1967
K = Kansas City
48 = Ranchero 500
C = 289
154369 = unit number

Door Tag Info: 66BQ4B19L71AW

66B = Ranchero 500
Q = Dark Metallic Blue
4B = ????
19L = November 19
71 = ????
AW = ????

I'm pretty confused by the door tag given the materials I've found to decode it online. Any help would be grand. Thanks.

[trikar]

4B= Trim code, Bright Green Gold Metallic
71=DSO, the district code, which is Los Angeles.
A= axle code, 3.50:1 Ratio Conventional
w= Trans. code, C4 Automatic

[trikar]

I could be off on the trim color, I took that code from a later model year.

[Marauder359]

That was my problem as well in terms of identifying the trim... Sounds like an awful scheme! Glad it isn't that way now. lol

Thanks for the help smile.gif

[Marauder359]

Makes more sense with the exterior color. Thanks smile.gif

[steve3041]

Hi, have i got this right?
66b ranchero 500
x vintage burgundy metallic
66 black crush/black vinyl
10f 10th june
71 L.A
4 3:25.1
5 4 speed manual
vin# 4R27F173238

thanks in advance.....

[trikar]

That VIN is to a 1974 Base model Torino with a 302 motor, from San Jose, not a Ranchero.
97D = Ranchero 500 for 1974
Axle ratio code for 3.25:1 is either "9" for conventional or "R" for Locking

What year Ranchero are you trying to look up is it a 64?

[victoria]

Do you know how to decode 70s VIN numbers Trikar? Would it be helpful to post mine for an exact fit on parts?

[trikar]

Both the VIN and the data plate information on the driver side door frame will provide codes that are very helpful. It is a light blue or white sticker. go ahead and post the numbers and we can tell you what they mean.
The VIN is also located on the front corner of your dash on the driver side. It can be seen through the windshield.

[victoria]

Thanks. I'd been wanting to get help with this:
VIN 6A48H133262

The only other info on the sticker was this:
97R 4V CGA F0195/R0086

Thanks for any insights!
Vicky

[trikar]

VIN
6=Model year, 1976
A=Assembly plant, Atlanta
48=Body type code, Ranchero GT
H= Engine code, 351 2V ( 8 bolt Valve cover 351M)
(6 bolt valve cover 351W)
133262=Consecutive unit number of production at that
assembly plant for that year.
97R= Body type, Ranchero GT
4U= Body color, Bright Lime, I do not show a "4V"
CG =Interior trim, Ruffino/Corinth,Vinyl, Avocado
"I do not show a "CGA"
The rest of the information does not match up to my books coding,
At the bottom of that sticker it should read something like this.
BODY COLOR TRIM TRANS. AXLE DSO
97R 4U CG W 3 28
Try checking it again.

[victoria]

It's definitely 4V under color, but it is green. then the trim is CGA, and is avocado and Trans = X AXLE=2 and DSO=24. I didn't include the axle part before because I could figure that part out, but not DSO.
So does this mean it's a 351 Cleveland? I thought those weren't put in the 76 year.

[75 Squire]

No its a 351M. Its the same thing as a 400 just has a different crank and pistons to get it down to 351 cubic inch's. You could go grab a 400 crank and some flat top pistons and get a 400 the belts out 300-400 Hp.

[victoria]

So at least I've got an awesome engine ...after I get a rebuilt carburetor and it stops wanting to stall at the 10mph mark ?? Tell me it's true. smile.gif

[trikar]

4V I do not show in my books but someone with shop books for '76 might show what it is.
Trans code X= FMX Automatic transmission
Axle Code 2= 2.75:1 Ratio conventional
DSO=District sales office, JACKSONVILLE.
8 bolts on the valve covers means you have an engine from the "Cleveland family of engines, which is the 335 series of Ford engines, however, there is a difference between what is known as a " 351 Cleveland" and the 351M and 400 Cleveland motors.
The original 351 Cleveland was installed be the factory from 1970-1974 model years. In 1971 Ford introduced the 400 motor which has a taller block deck than the 351 Cleveland but uses the same heads as the 351 Cleveland. In 1975 Ford dropped the 351 Cleveland to save money by de-stroking 400 engine blocks and creating the 351M, which is most likely what you have. If you ever wanted to rebuild it, it would be very easy to change it into a 400 just by getting a 400 crank and pistons.

[ August 24, 2007, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: trikar ]

[victoria]

Thanks for all the information. It's like uncovering the family tree. I'd heard lots of theories on the engine, but it's good to know exactly.

[75 Squire]

The 400 and the 351M are not very well understood. http://www.projectbronco.com/ Here is one of the sites where they are understood. Drop into there forum for the 351C, 351M and the 400. they speak of these engines in glowing terms.

The 351m/400 are very good at brutal low end torque which is what is needed for our large heavy cars. Yes they are gas hogs but I would rather have the gas hog with the power than a gas hog with no power.

[victoria]

It may already be a 400, now that I think of it. The guy I bought it from, who was selling it for another guy who owed him money and who is, I later learned, "incarcerated" :( , did say it had been worked on to make it a 400 but I never knew what that meant, or whether to believe him. It still kind of seems like a weak puppy around town until I get the carburetor fixed. Thanks again!

[CJ Guy]

Just a point, the "H" code is a 351M, "S" is a 400. The only way your going to tell if it is a 400 is to verify the crankshaft casting ID code. Should be on located on the first counterweight
75-76 351M ID 1K and 72-77 400 ID 5MA or 5MAB...

[trikar]

It still kind of seems like a weak puppy around town until I get the carburetor fixed.Have you checked for vacuum leaks?

[victoria]

No, because it's just at around 5-10 miles per hour that it has a dead spot and I have to feather past it so it won't stall out, especially before it's been driven awhile.

[burninbush]

No, because it's just at around 5-10 miles per hour that it has a dead spot and I have to feather past it so it won't stall out, especially before it's been driven awhile.

++++++++++++++

A carburetor rebuild would probably solve that -- or maybe just the setup of the automatic choke. I replaced the Ford 2bbl on my '77 351m with a Holley 4412 carb, direct bolt-on replacement, got a healthy performance increase.

[victoria]

Hey, Thanks. I've been told that should fix it. I think the choke was disabled, if that makes sense. smile.gif

[burninbush]

I've been told that should fix it. I think the choke was disabled, if that makes sense.

+++++++++++++

Sure, makes perfect sense. I like to replace the old auto-choke variety with a manual cable kit -- a cheap fix, gives you complete control of it.

The carb I have on my RatChero is an Edelbrock with an electric-heater choke -- which to my surprise works pretty well in my mild climate zone. Might be possible to retrofit one of those to your older carb.

[barleyboy]

I have gotten so much information out of this site!! I have a 72 with the following door information:

body - 97R
Color - 4C
Trim - FR
Trans - U
Axle - 9
DSO - 74

Could anyone tell me about this car?

VIN 2a48Q174***

[trikar]

97R=Body Code Ranchero GT
4C =Exterior Paint Color Code, Ivy Bronze Metallic
FR= Interior Trim Code, Med. Green
U=Transmission Code, Automatic C6
9= Axle Code, Conventional 3.25:1 Ratio
74= Distric Code, Seattle
VIN
2=Model year. 1972
A=Assembly Plant, Atlanta
48=Body type, Ranchero GT
Q= Engine Code, 351 4V Cleveland Cobra Jet