The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Vin Problem Indiana to Ohio Help Please

I was reading in Tech Tips about Title Problems and you guessed it I have a problem. It stated
"It might even have a VIN listed (or a "serial number." But while most states titled vehicles by the VIN, some states titled by the engine serial number (found stamped in the block to the left of the distributor), that doesn't have much to do with the body serial number. As most old trucks have had the engine replaced once or twice, your title may not match your engine (if it has been replaced) and your title uses an engine number"
I have a Indiana title and live in Ohio, when I tried to register the truck I found out that the Vehicle Identification number on the title didn't match the Vin number on the plate on door post. Number on title is ALCC##### the number on plate is L53S 0#####. Other than the extra 0 at the start of the numbers the rest of the numbers are a perfect match. Could the number on the title be an engine number that was used to title the vehicle? Of course the engine in the truck isn't the original! The truck is a 3800 1953 and produced at St. Louis plant. I greatly appreciate any and all the help you can give me in solving this problem. Thanks in advance, Ralph ( grain truck )

I do not know that rules in Indiana, but I have the same problem as you. I have a title for the truck, and it's in my name, but it was titled on the Engine Number (ADCAxxxxx) instead of the body Serial Number (21DR-Cxxxx).

When I titled it under my name I asked the guy at the DMV what I should do, and he suggested that I have a VIN inspection done (and gave me the paperwork). Then I could get a new title that way.

I would go to the DMV and ask some questions. See what the procedure is.

The structure of the number on the title ALCCxxxx is correct for a 1953 engine. The L is the letter for 1953 tho by then GM was not using it in the truck body serial # they were using the actual year (53). The L on the door plate number is for the series (3800). So yes the vin on the title is probably the original engine number used to first title the truck. I would make a case for that. Gather some documentation, like a Chevy Resto-Pack that has engine serial nos. and show that the title vin is (most likely)the original engine no. Request a corrected title/VIN with the body serial number. I had this in 99 when I bought a 1950 truck out of Missouri and took to KY. The sellers title had the original engine number not the body number, and the engine had been swapped. He wrote an affidavit stating that the swap happened before he bought it. After a State Police inspection I was good to go. I hope this works out!

Thanks Brendan M and Frank 50, you have been a big help. I think I am making progress.
Thanks again