the "FP" means that it is a 1948 1/2 ton. The "D" means it was built in April of that year, and if i'm not mistaken (which happens more and more lately), the "21" means that it was assembled in LA.
Oops, I was mistaken. The "21" was the code for Janesville, WI assembly plant. The "3984" is the sequential number of trucks assembled at that plant.
THANX Ken ; I'm far from my books and he'd asked me off list . It appears he wants to chop it up into a hot rod so anyone who's good at that should chime in here since I'm a stock(ish) kinda guy .
I couldn't make "heads or tails" out of the engine number. If it's a stock 216, the number should start with "FBA" or "FBM" etc with numbers after that. Where did you see the engine number on your truck?
I cannot decode engine serial numbers (some jerk tossed out my book) but if the rockerbox is held on with _4_ scres , it's a 235 or 261 (lucky you) . The engine serial number is _stamped_ on a smooth pad just to the rear of the distributor . Two acorn nuts on the top of the rocker box usually means it's the original 216 " Dipper 6 " eninge.... Find a picture of someone's engine and post it up , we'll tell you wich it is to compare to yours .
If you're going to street rod the truck let me know and maybe we can share a few secrets about the trucks. I'm in the process of doing a full blown custom and I've done a little research and found some pretty cool tricks. If you're going to go original then talk to vwnate1, it really sounds like he knows his stuff. Good luck with the restore. kevin
Hey Kevin, I noticed that you're in Tennessee. What part? I went to high school and college in west Tennessee and still have family there.
