Metuchen block stamping

azbeneman · April 23, 2007 at 11:37 AM

I was wondering if anyone has a picture of a Metuchen K code VIN stamping on the block and/or tranny. My friend has a San Jose car with the vin on the block and tranny but I've never seen one on a Metuchen K. I am looking at a Metuchen K coupe to buy near me but can't see a stamping on the block. Did Metuchen even stamp their blocks and trannys? Should it look like the San Jose stampings or are they different? The San Jose stamping and Dearborn stampings I've seen look totally different. I would really appreciate the help.

Thanks,

Craig

SixT5HiPo · April 23, 2007 at 1:25 PM

Metuchen did stamp HiPo engines and transmissions. It is not certain whether all K code cars got these stamps at the factory. Does the seller of the car claim that the engine and trans are original?

azbeneman · April 23, 2007 at 5:24 PM

Yes, he believes it's the original engine and tranny. All of the date codes and build dates correlate with the cars door tag scheduled dates. He has pictures of the internals and it has all of the correct K goodies.

azbeneman · April 24, 2007 at 9:49 AM

PLEASE if anyone has a pic of a Metuchen stamp on their block or tranny could you post it for me or send me a PM. I need to decide about this car soon. I would REALLY appreciate any help!!

Craig

66gtk · April 24, 2007 at 10:24 AM

My NJ car does not have a VIN on the tranny or engine either. Both are believed to be original, but I cannot prove it due to this fact.

luckyhipo_old · May 14, 2007 at 5:09 PM

Food for thought--- I was recently talking to old timer about Block stamping and he told me that originally Ford was not stamping any blocks or transmissions due to cost. But Carroll Shelby insisted that any cars delivered to him had to be stamped. Since most of the cars delived to him either came from San Jose or Detroit the ones built in Metuchen were not originally stamped. If anyone happens to run into Carroll you might ask him and settle this once and for all.

I'm still researching this subject.

Edited by - luckyhipo on 05/14/2007 19:00:50

BiffF15 · May 14, 2007 at 6:03 PM

My 66 GT K 2+2 is a Metuchen built car with a VIN stamped block. Unknown about the tranny. Sorry, unable to provide pictures as I'm out of the country.

Damon

SixT5HiPo · May 14, 2007 at 8:53 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

...Carroll Shelby insisted that any cars delivered to him had to be stamped. Since most of the cars delived to him either came from San Jose or Detroit the ones built in Metuchen were not originally stamped.

I'm not so sure about that. I've seen Metuchen blocks with VIN stamps from 1965. Keep in mind that Metuchen started building Mustangs in late January/early February of 1965.

Mu5tanggt_old · January 9, 2009 at 10:24 AM

My 66 Metuchen K coupe has the block stamped, haven't found one on the trans yet. Can send you a picture if interested.

pony65k · January 11, 2009 at 3:35 PM

I have a stamp on the tranny. I haven't found one on the motor yet, but I haven't scrapped the paint away to really have a look.

I almost posted a pic of the tranny until I saw the date <img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

René

J_Speegle_old · January 11, 2009 at 4:26 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

Food for thought--- I was recently talking to old timer about Block stamping and he told me that originally Ford was not stamping any blocks or transmissions due to cost. But Carroll Shelby insisted that any cars delivered to him had to be stamped. Since most of the cars delived to him either came from San Jose or Detroit the ones built in Metuchen were not originally stamped. If anyone happens to run into Carroll you might ask him and settle this once and for all.

I'm still researching this subject.

Don't really think we need to ask - since we have a fair representation of original examples of San Jose built K codes that were not Shelbys that were stamped on blocks and trans. Also documentation stating that it was done. Or at least was suppose to always be done

Wouldn't trust what Carroll would remember either - he wasn't spending that much time with all the little details and I've heard him say enough things than conflict with the facts - so as always, listen but confirm

Always IMHO we have to take workers, individual statements, with a grain of salt and compare them to known facts.

Example -Had three of the ex workers (two that had worked at San Jose and one from NJ) in the shop last month. Each swore that a particular finish was never used on the underside of ANY Mustang. When I produced sections cut from floors of Mustangs - all they could say is that they never remember seeing those colors.

Can't swear that every plant - every time did it. But believe at least at certain plants it was the common practice. Now at the NJ plant - I think almost anything was possible <img src=images/icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - J_Speegle on 01/11/2009 16:30:13

Edited by - J_Speegle on 01/11/2009 16:32:40

kapdavm · January 11, 2009 at 6:51 PM

I have a mid-June 65 Metuchen assembled K FB and it does not have a VIN stamp on the block which I believe to be original. The transmission (HEH-T) in my car is VIN stamped with the "K" in the VIN stamped backwards.

I met another gentleman on this site (RB) who had a Metuchen K code car that was assembled a week later than my kar who also had a non-VIN stamped original block, with a VIN stamping on the transmission in his kar with a backwards "K" in the VIN.

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