The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk VIN Question: 1945 Chevrolet Pickup

I recently acquired a pickup that had been fully restored and is titled as a 1945 with VIN BD782565. Someone had replaced the original engine with a 235 that has numbers on it indicating that it came out of a 1957 Chevolet pickup.

I assume that the number on the title was off of the original 216 engine.

Is my assumption correct and what year would that number indicate that the original engine could have been produced? I would appreciate any information that you may be able to provide.

you are correct the BD indicates a engine number. as to the rest not sure which digits mean year. if any? i will let others answer that one.

The BD engine code was used for 1/2 ton trucks from 1942 through 1945 (starting with 1001 at the beginning of the 1942 model year) and were made at the Flint Engine Plant.

Assembled in 1945 would be a good guess, look for the casting date in the right side of the block (sample B145 would be Feb 14, 1945).

There's also serial numbers on the trans and rear that might help nail down year it they are still original.

There's a date code in the top radiator tank as well (B45 = Feb 1945).

Mike B

Thanks, Mike.

I will find the numbers on the transmission, rear end and radiator if possible. Right now the truck is in the shop for some needed repairs. I will update this thread when I get it back.

Hurst

Be advised your truck needs to be retitled since the VIN on the title is nowhere on the truck. It can be a hassle depending on the state but all states have a method to do it.

The restorer stamped the original engine number that he removed on the frame.

Call your state licensing authority. An unofficial stamp doesn't normally pass muster. If it did every stolen vehicle in the country could be made legal using a simple stamp.

The end name of the game is having a "Valid Clear title" I you have a clear title with a "id number" on it. And that number is stamped / plated somewhere on the vehicle in some normal location. then don't fight the system. We are talking a 1945 manufactured vehicle here with titling all paper non computer when the trail started. so if someone does a title history on in and it the same number all the way back it does not really matter if its a "vin", engine code, or some random number the state assigned. If in 1945 up until real vins the states it was titled in used the engine number so be it. I have a boat made before 1971 when hull id's were required. Took two trips to the state to title it because i kept getting " the computer say this is not valid" for the serial number. When went the second time i asked for the supervisors supervisor and well she said yea before 1971 we override it so the title trails stays valid.

So the real question is did you have it titled in your name after you bought it with the current number you posted? And did they give you any issues?
I agree with Tiny the closer you get to modern times the bigger the issue with a unofficial stamp. but most folks reviewing the car probably have no idea what a official 1945 stamp even looks like to give you grief.

Since this particular vehicle has a hand stamped ID number by a previous owner not a verified Government stamped ID number you have ventured into an area not allowed for discussion on Stovebolt.com.