Manufacture Date?

Went to buy a rebuild kit for the 86 TC I will be buying today. Apparently there is a year break for manufacturing. How can I find the build date for the TC ither than the tag in the door frame? Someone has removed the tag. There are 2 dates listed, one for pre 2-20 and one for 2-20 and later. There is a definate difference in the kits because there is about a $40 difference between the kits.

Thanks
Gordon

I know this is not a definitive way to get the info you are looking for but it might do the trick..

Compare your VIN to other 86 TC's on this site and compare build dates..

You should at least be able to tell if your car was built after 2/20/86 from that info..

For example, my 86 has the vin # 1FABP46W3GH199912 and my car was built in March of 1986

If your VIN is higher numerically than mine, chances are very good it was built after 2/20

If it's tens of thoudsands lower than my vin, chances are it was built prior to 2/20

Maybe post your VIN and if a few other 86 owners do the same we can at least give you a good idea..

Rebuild kit for what, the engine? There shouldn't be any difference from 85-86. Most gasket kits have everything from 83-88.

Gordon,

The difference between the two kits that they are referring to is the oil pan gasket. The kit for the earlier date has a multi-piece oil pan gasket and the later kit uses a one-piece oil pan gasket. The other difference is in the front crankshaft seal. Ford made a design change in 1986 to the front cover and that is why there are two different kits.

Brent