Hello all, I have a question regarding a title for my 1952 chevy p/u. Heres my issue or question I was hoping somebody could help me with..... the arkansas "certificate of title of a motor vehicle" that I recieved with the truck has my motor#'s for my identification no. Is that how they licensed trucks back then...by the motor #'s? The truck does not have the original ID plate in the door jam and was wondering how does that ID # relate to the motor # or does it matter? I double checked the motor #'s this evening and they DO MATCH these motor numbers on the state title. I am hoping this will fly with the DMV tomorrow when I try to register the title in my name. I am presently checking "stovebolt" website to also gather as much knowledge as possible. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Vince
This is a common problem. Several states titled on engine numbers rather than serial numbers back then. When I titled my '54 I first transferred the title into my name without raising any questions about the numbers. I was transferring a Texas title to Washington and wanted to deal with a clean Washington title to get Texas out of the picture. Then I navigated the process in Washington to change the number on the title to the body serial number. Since you don't have that number you'll probably be assigned a state VIN instead. Or at least that is what would happen in this state. Even if you plan to run the original motor I'd suggest you get this changed. If you ever replace the motor you'll no longer have a number associated with the truck proving ownership.
Good luck on that. I've heard the same thing from Stovebolt.com. I was just wondering if you couldn't take that number and stamp it on a new door plate and call it good. You can buy those plates as repops in several places. I'd take it down to my local machine shop and have him punch those numbers on it and call it good.
Danimal, yeah I know what you mean about the ID plates. I have seen them in some of the resto parts books I have. I believe the ID plate numbers are different from the engine numbers. I think the ID plate tells the story of the truck like.....year, model, plant, month produced, and production #(all of course through the use of numbers and letters that represent these things) I was wondering If I can find out those original ID #s for my truck by using the engine numbers? I guess what i am trying to say is...are the related in any way?
Vince, I titled my 54 using the number on the motor with no problems. As long as you have the motor. My experience is the only ones who checks the number is the one doing the 'inspection'. r
Hey R, So does that mean that I can just stamp those numbers on that 400 h.p small block i plan on dropping in there?! (just kiddin') I have been trying to figure out how the motor #'s and the trucks ID plate #'s relate? I know that the ID#s are a set of letters and numbers that represent the trucks... year,make,plant,month of prod, and assembly line prod #. I think.....based on the #'s on the engine and the few legible #'s on the old ID plate It is a 52 (I/2 ton),made in flint. MI,Made in JAN,and ?(on the production #......UNLESS those are the same group of numbers at the end of my motor? Ok..I'm confused now?!
i bought a truck out of missouri several years ago with the motor# on the title. so missouri used this system at least until 1954.
Well the trip to the DMV was suprisingly painless today. I brought the Arkansas title, notorized bill of sale,personal property tax receipt, and some titling info that I found on the "stovebolt"(just in case). They seemed to think everything was cool since the motor #'s and the title matched. They told me that I should have my new Missouri title in a few weeks. Lets hope. I just wish that I could solve the ID plate issue. It is severely damaged and hardly legible. It looks like a pitbull knawled on it! The only #'s that I can make out are....1KPA????? From these numbers I do know....flint MI,1952 1/2 ton,Jan prod date BUT the rest of the numbers are trashed out. I have heard from several sources that the motor# and the ID # have nothing in common. SO should I just get a new ID plate from classic parts and stamp my engine#'s on it since that is whats on the title anyway? I wish I could solve this mystery by the motor numbers but I guess it is a no go?! Let me know what any of you all think. Later, Vince
Basically there is no relationship between the motor serial and the body serial, though its not hard to spot a motor that could not have been in a particular body based on the numbers. Those numbers on the motor usually identify the application the motor was intended for. I would not stamp the motor number on a body serial plate. A knowledgeable inspector will know that its been changed and in some states, including the one I live in, changing that plate is a felony. Putting the motor number on it might lead to problems some day in the future. You have at least two options. One is to take that plate to a restorer and see if they can get the original number off of it and either repair or replace the plate (with the original number). You might be surprised what they can do. Another is to ask the state to assign a VIN to the body. In either case if the small block is really part of your plan I'd suggest you get a legitimate number on the body and a new title that has that same number before pulling the original motor out. It will be a lot easier to fix with that motor in place. The guys over on Stovebolt might add some ideas, and you'll find experts on understanding your numbers there, but this isn't really on old truck question, its a state procedure question that is specific to your state. In my state, Washington, you can actually email the department of licensing and get instructions on how to perform these kinds of things.
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