The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 46 or 47 first series COE VIN help!

Just found a gem COE. I need help on the serial # tag. Title is gone/misplaced long ago. Serial # tag shows 5PRC then serial #. 5 is KC plant, then PR C shows conflicting info on several websites. Is the PRC 46 or 47 first series made in March? Any help appreciated.
Eric

Eric,

As you posted, 5PRC is a 1946-model code
5 = Kansas City, MO
PR = 5400
C = 3rd month = March

Your "which March, 46 or 47" question is an interesting question, that most likely cannot be easily answered. If you have the original engine, it would be interesting to see the block and head date casting codes. This would give information about the year.

For titling/registration purposes, the "which March" question does not matter. You have a 1946-model truck.

Ok thanks. Some sites show the PR as a 47 1st series and some show it as a 46. I will check the block. Tryin not to make a mistake on the title app. What if the motor is a 47? We do know its never been changed. Bought from orig owner .
Eric

Eric,

GM did not use the term 1947 first-series. There was a 1946 series and a 1947 Advance-Design series.

Unfortunately, a 1946-series truck built in early 1947 might have a 1947-dated engine. If you are in a state that uses/requires using the engine code for titling/registration purposes, you will have to go with the year of the engine. In New York, we call register using the Vehicle code or the engine code (I have had VA and WA registrations using either code).

Do you have an old title or registration for the truck?

No old title or registration but I will ask the prior owner. Did GM title any of the 46's as 47's which had the old body style (41-46)? and then 47's with body change of course would have been as 47.

GM did not do the titling - the DMV did that.

It is quite possible that the dealer/owner/DMV put the year-of-sale of the truck on the title.

the serial # shows it was the 257 truck off the line in KC plant and just checked the block # which has been smoothed off. Im sure its been rebuilt then if the block # is gone as this is what occurred on some of my other cars n trucks. I cant get at the head casting plus just to darn cold to get the valve cover bolts out! My book only shows a date range of 42-53 on the 235 anyway. I may call the site admin. of who show it as a 47 for the PR code and see where he came up with that. All other sites show the PR as 46 year model.

There are some titled as 47's. I have a 47 COE that is the early body style.

I recently found a placard on the engine that has info besides the serial#. Mine was on the lefthand side of the motor down low by the pan. Maybe yours has one as well?