Can someone with knowledge about matching numbers guide me to find out if my '55 Wagon is a "matching numbers" car?
The numbers on the engine block are: TIII4D
The numbers on the tag on the door frame are: VB55L-045641
The VIN number is: 0078710T55F
I will appreciate your feedback.
Last edited by whatsupthere; 04-12-2013 at 06:34 PM. Reason: typo
Your VIN is what's on the tag on the door frame. VB55L-045641 means it's a V8 210 made in February 1955 in Los Angeles. Though I'm not sure about the -, sure that's not a number?
If the VIN # on your title is 0078710T55F, that's probably the original engine number. Many states used the engine number rather than the VIN number in 1955. An F code engine would be a 265 2 barrel carb with Powerglide trans. The T indicates the engine was built in Tonawanda. The 78710 indicates it was the 77710th engine built in Tonawanda with that engine code in 1955.
There are no "D" code engines for 55-57s. So it's likely a 58-up engine.
My info comes from the CCI tech book.
Likely the TIII4D code is for an engine of a later year. Are you sure that all of those are I's, some may be 1's?
Your engine suffix code is D, which is a 1958 283/2bbl with powerglide
But to determine matching numbers you need to look at the engine block casting number and date for a real decode. Assuming no one restamped the block you will probably find the casting number for a 58 283. Easy way to check if it's a 58 or newer block, check if it has the 3 holes for side mounts on each side, only 58's and newer have these, 55/56 and 57 did not.
Thanks for your feedback Rick_L.Originally Posted by Rick_L
The VB55L-045641 is on a tag on the door frame. Do you know what the 045641 means?
You are right about the 0078710T55F being the VIN number on the title.
Also the TIII4D code on the engine, I am not sure what the III are supposed to be. They look like three number ones (roman numbers)
or three letters "i" (capital letters). Did they make 265 engines in 1958 and up years?
Thanks Maddog for your reply.
I will check to see if it is a 283 engine from a 1958-up year. Also will check about the side mounts. Thanks again!
I like your id user icon. Is that the devil character from "The Bible" series?
045641 is part of the vin. it is the serial number of the car at a given body plant. you also should have a cowl tag on the firewall that will give you more info.
ARMY NAM VET, very proud!
56 210 4dr
drive and enjoy them while you work on them, life is to short.
A 55 V8 will not have an oil filter cast into the block.
I'm not sure if this question fits into this thread, but I have a 56, 210, the engine has 4bbl heads, but I can't find the head casting numbers listed in any reference material to identify them further, other than the vertical block on top of the rectangle on the end of the heads. The casting number on the heads is: 3773013. If anyone can shed some light on this particular casting number, and maybe with some reference, it would be appreciated. Thanks.
Are you sure the number is correct? The closest I can find is 3773012 which is a '55 265 head.
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Yes I double and triple checked those numbers, will see if I can post a picture here. Also strange is the block casting number is 3703524, which codes to a 1955 265, but the assembly stamp in front of the right side head has 0364368 F55E. All the decoding I have found says that is from Flint, 1955, but the suffix code "E" is for a 57 283. It would seem it should be suffix code "F", but it is clearly an "E". Will try and attach that picture also. Maybe I have a rogue set of heads, as the numbers don't seem to be found elsewhere. Thanks for the help.
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