Ford by the (part) numbers

One of the first areas of interest I had with Ford Motor Co. was its parts numbering system. Starting with the 1928 Model A, a system was created that divided each area of the vehicle (both cars and trucks) into sections, eventually growing into sub-sections and even sub-sub-sections. Then, with a pattern of prefixes, one could tell when these parts were first put into production. Next was a suffix that would narrow down the exact application and, for really specific items (such as soft trim and the like), a secondary suffix could be employed.

Developed in the late 1920s, this basic part numbering system is still in use today, and skilled Ford parts people can tell at a glance just what and where a certain part fits using the part number. Try as I might, I have looked at both General Motors and Chrysler Corp. part numbers and, while fans of those cars might know a specific part number or a series of them, finding a part number they are not familiar with will send them running to parts books. Meanwhile, a Ford parts person will have a good, basic idea of what they are holding in their hands by the code on the box.

Ford Motor Co. part numbers are broken down into three specific sections. Starting with the Model A, the prefix indicates the basic vehicles to which the part applies. For the Model A, just the letter “A” would precede the basic part number, such as that for a dash-mounted ampere gauge or meter which would have the basic part number of A-10850, so the suffix “A” would be self-explanatory. However, if the part had a variation, another code was needed for that part variation. With the amp gauge, a suffix of “A” behind the basic part number would be all that was needed to denote the variation of the amp gauge, and for the first variation of the amp gauge, the part number would become A-10850-A.

Another part that had variations was the Model A steering wheel, basic part number 3600. Ford’s steering wheel variations included those with different center splines (seven-tooth versus two-tooth), a polished black finish versus a polished red finish, and other applications. A basic four-spoke Model A steering wheel with the red finish variation would have the number A-3600-A, while the next generation, say with a black finish, would have a part number of A-3600-B. The “B” suffix did not represent “black,” just that this was the next variation of the steering wheel. If the center attaching hub of the steering wheel went from a seven-tooth spline to a two-tooth spline, then a secondary suffix, such as A-3600-B1, could be used. When in 1932 the Model B was released, part numbers referring to those parts started with a “B” prefix.

The Ford Model A engine had more than 70 running changes between 1928 and 1931, and despite looking very similar on the outside, the Model B four-cylinder engine was a completely different animal than the preceding Model A four-cylinder. 1932 also saw the release of Ford’s first monobloc V-8 engines, and part numbers related to these engines and their parts were given the prefix of “18,” which we have always assumed was the “first” generation of the V-8. Through the 1930s, new models received new prefixes, and sometimes it is a bit confusing, but Ford Motor Co. did have a logical system of usually showing the year followed by the model application, followed by the basic part number and suffix.

During the 1950s, a new system went into effect for the prefix identifying the initial model year of use and designated models. This system was revised again during the 1959 model year. During the 1950s, and applied to a number of parts from the 1940s, the first character in the prefix would indicate the decade (A = 1940s, B = 1950s, C = 1960s, D = 1970s, etc.). This method was used up into the early 2000s. The second character, a number, would indicate the exact model year. A third character, usually a letter, would indicate the model application for which the part was designed, and the fourth character designated which engineering department would be responsible for design and distribution. For example, a part number “C0AZ” would indicate a part for the full-sized 1960 Ford, while “C0DZ” would indicate the part was designed for use on the new 1960 Falcon line. Later in the 1960s, a prefix such as C5AZ would indicate an item for the full-size 1965 Fords (Customs, Galaxies, station wagons), with C5OZ representing the 1965 Fairlane, and C5ZZ for the hot-selling new Mustangs. When the 1970s appeared, D1ZZ would represent a 1971 Mustang part while D1SZ would represent a 1971 Thunderbird part.

Throughout the years, the basic part number divisions have remained constant within Ford Motor Co., and this system is used pretty much throughout the company on a world-wide basis. Learning the Ford system of parts numbering is a must for the dedicated Ford restorer or fan.

First character represents the decade that the part was first used:

A=1940s; B=1950s; C=1960s; D =1970s; E=1980s; F=1990s.

Second character represents the year within the decade:

Examples: B9=1959; C3=1963, D4=1974, E5=1985, etc.

Third character presents the basic model for which the part was designed. Note that when the same part designed for a certain model was used on another model, the original part number was used. An example is 1959 Edsel parking lamp lenses, which were also used for the 1960-1962 Comets. However, the Comet’s rubber housing for the otherwise-identical parking lamps had Comet-specific numbers due to the different length of connecting wires.

(Partial Listing)

A=Full-Size Fords

D=Falcon

E=Edsel (1958-1959)

G=Comet (1961-1967)

K=Edsel (1959-1960), Comet (1960)

L=Lincoln

M=Full-Size Mercury

O=Fairlane/Torino

S=Thunderbird

W=Cougar

Z=Mustang

A fourth character was added to the part number prefix during the 1959 model year. This indicates which engineering department was responsible for this part’s use and distribution channels.

A=Chassis-related parts

B=Body-related parts (sheet metal)

E=Engine-related parts

F=Engine accessories such as fans, brackets, water and fuel pumps, etc.

Y=Lincoln- and Mercury-specific designs and applications

Z=Ford-specific designs and applications

(Note: Primarily with body part numbers, a secondary prefix in front of the basic part number might indicate a specific body type the item was design for. However, this part may have applications for other models, such as a Code 70 representing a two-door sedan, but also used in the Type 64 two-door hardtop, Type 76 convertible or even the Type 59 two-door station wagon!)

The “Basic” part numbers are arranged into about 50 different sections for the chassis-related parts including wheels, brakes, suspension, drive-line, chassis, radiator, engine, transmission, etc. Body parts have about 10 distinctive areas of concern and apply to sheet metal and related parts from the firewall rearward, such as doors, floors, instrument panels, glass, roofs and deck lids. Front fenders and the hood, while being sheet metal parts, are considered part of the chassis and are included in those sections.

As new parts were developed and placed into a specific production area, expanded basic part numbers were put into the system. One example is basic part number 3528, a steering column seal kit, and then the release of a power steering cylinder boot which received an expanded number of 3C528!

One brilliant idea with the Ford parts numbering system is being able to tell the difference between the two sides of a car. Items for the left or driver’s side have the basic part number end with an odd number, and for the right or passenger side, they end with an even number. An example would be a front door with 20124 for the passenger side and 20125 for the driver’s side.

There are numerous other tips and tricks that a person familiar with Ford Motor Co. part numbers can pick up over the years, such as being able to distinguish between engineering numbers, often found on metal castings, and the actual part number found in catalogs and referenced in maintenance manuals. So effective has been the Ford system that several companies based outside the United States have developed similar programs, such as Daimler-Benz from Germany and Nissan Motors from Japan. Numbers are important in restorations, and not only serial numbers, but those interesting numbers found on individual parts. 

If you like stories like these and other classic car features, check out Old Cars magazine. CLICK HERE to subscribe.

Want a taste of Old Cars magazine first? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter and get a FREE complimentary digital issue download of our print magazine.