Greeting folks, I have been working to revive an old Bobcat 642. I have replaced the Ford 1.6 with a replacement block and crank as well as many other parts in a complete rebuild....That being done I am going through the drive chains and brakes......In trying to find parts during this work and I am using the Bobcat's vin number 5014-M-14213. Yesterday I was at a local Bobcat dealer to order a transmission case gasket. I had the Vin and asked the parts guy if he could tell me the date of manufacture....He told me there is no way to find out when it was made....He further stated he had tried, in the past, to get that info on other Bobcats and was unsuccessful.... I find it hard to believe this is the case....Has anyone found out how to obtain a date of manufacture by using the vin and mod numbers ? ? ? Thanks for your help...If any of you folks are attempting or thinking of attempting to do any of these repairs and need questions answered let me know and I will try to steer you in the right direction.... Have fun, buckshot