fuel injection serial numbers

[Richard S.]

i have a 380 unit on my march 10 built coupe #12999 the seial number is 1058. after looking at nolan adams book there doesnt seem to be any oder that the serial numbers were assinged to the units. does anybody know how the serial munbers were assigned. also was wondering why plenum cover is about twice as high in the rear?

[Mike M.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

Hi Richard, looks like no one wants to touch this.
The serial numbers on the units are in numerical sequence.
EXCEPT, each change starts with 1,000.
The 380 revision took place during late '64 production.
So, to extrapolate in very broad terms, with a few assumptions, let's see what you have.
There were 22,225 cars built in 1964.
Of those only 1,325 were FI cars.
Divide cars built by the FI number shows there was approximately one FI car built in every 17 cars (rounded).
With your unit being the 58th #380 produced times the 17 factor indicates that there were would have been about 986 cars produced within that ten day period.
Again, assuming that the "Late" change took place in February (+-) and the plant may have had an inventory of the earlier units to deplete, with your early March assembly.....
It would appear that your numbers fit within the acceptable window.
Hope this made sense.
Perhaps others can jump in with more specifics.
HaND

[William C.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

Only fly in that ointment is several known original '64 cars show the 380 unit as early as Jan'64, some before. The incompatibility of the 30-30 cam with the cranking signal valve pushed the change due to drivability issues.

[Michael H.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

Only fly in that ointment is several known original '64 cars show the 380 unit as early as Jan'64, some before. The incompatibility of the 30-30 cam with the cranking signal valve pushed the change due to drivability issues.

Yup, I agree. I know, 100% for sure, that a 64 coupe with only 4100 miles that I owned in about 1975 had it's original 380 unit. Probably a Nov 63 build?
If/when I find the FI unit number, I'll post it.

[Mike L.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

I've tryed to track the 375R unit to the 380 unit for many years now, and being a owner of a early 64 with a 375R unit myself, I can say as close as I could get the change over took place around end of Dec. 63 to Jan. 64.

[Michael H.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

I've tryed to track the 375R unit to the 380 unit for many years now, and being a owner of a early 64 with a 375R unit myself, I can say as close as I could get the change over took place around end of Dec. 63 to Jan. 64.

Mike,

I don't remember the build date of my black/black 64 coupe but it's VIN is 5297. This car came from it's original owner in 1975 and was absolutely untouched under the hood with just over 4000 miles on it. It has it's original 380 FI unit.
This is the same car that eventually wound up in the Vance Shappley collection.
I seriously doubt that any 375R units were used in production AFTER 5297. Random installation of 375R engine assemblies and 380 engine assemblies would surely disrupt things on the assembly line.

[Mike M.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

Black/Black FI Coupe
I bet you wish you had that one back.
Just curious, how would the line be effected by the two different FI units?
HaND

[Michael H.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

Black/Black FI Coupe
I bet you wish you had that one back.
Just curious, how would the line be effected by the two different FI units?
HaND

Yes, I sure do wish I had that 64 back. Should have never sold it. I think Shappley had it for sale a few months ago.

The 375R and 380 units required many different parts that were added on the engine dress line at the St Louis plant. The air cleaner adapter, oil filler tube and vent tube, rear crankcase vent tube, the entire PCV system and probably a lot of other misc parts I can't think of at the moment.
I would be surprised if they mixed these engine assemblies. Most likely, the last of the assemblies with 375R's were used before any with 380's were set on the hook.

[Mike L.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

Mike, my own FI car is ser. number 24_ _. I have seen 64 cars in the high 3800 range with a 375R unit. I also have paperwork with ser. number 6675 with a 380 unit. This have been a question asked many times, even on the judging field.

[Michael H.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

Mike, my own FI car is ser. number 24_ _. I have seen 64 cars in the high 3800 range with a 375R unit. I also have paperwork with ser. number 6675 with a 380 unit. This have been a question asked many times, even on the judging field.

So, looks like this is being narrowed down to a change from 375R to 380 somewhere between VIN #3800 and #5297.

[Mike M.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

Thanks Michael & Mike, great info!
HaND

[Mike L.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

Just went through some old files this morning, and tried to narrow down this change over on the fuel units. 1964 Coupe#4951 has a 380 unit and 1964 Coupe#5172 has a 380 unit also. Based on that they are both Nov.63 cars, mid to late build. If anyone has more information please email me or post it. I've worked on this issue for many years getting close.

[Mike M.]

Re: fuel injection serial numbers

Good effort, Mike.
I hope you able to obtain more of this data.
See you in Novi.
HaND