The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1952 Chevy - VIN discrepency? Help?

My Vin plate on my "52 Chevy has 1 number, three letters and five nore numbers. I have read that this is proper. Oaklnd built, 1/2 Ton, 1952, production number.
For some reason, my VIN on my title from Oregon DMV had three letters and six numbers. I am sure that it is the correct title. (Been in the family for 50 years).
Is it possible that Oregon changed the VIN somewhere along the line or is their another VIN somewhere else besides the door frame?
I have inquired with Oregon DMV (extremely helpful, not like California DMV) and they are researching it.

check the engine number on the milled area on the block. Some jurisdictions used this number on the title. Both ways are acceptable, however if the engine got changed ** control we have a problem

Kevin,

What is your title code?

What is your door ID plate code?

What is your engine serial number (pressed into the block in the ledge (milled area) to the rear of where the distributor goes into the block)?

As GMONIZ correctly stated, some jurisdictions used the engine serial number (a real problem when the engine was changed) and some jurisdictions used the door plate ID. The particular code used changed by jurisdiction, by year, and apparently was inconsistent within jurisdiction and within the same year. Maybe the DMVs were not careful when they received a code from a dealer, and the dealers were inconsistent?

I am running a 350.
Would the VIN be stamped anywhere else?

Did you put the 350 in? If so do you still have the original engine? You're not the first to face this hurdle. This happens a lot. Your state DMV will be able to tell you if the engine number was used pre '56. If it was, all states have a method of resolving the engine change without re-titling conundrum. You'll just have to work with them & jump through a few hoops.

The Engine had been swapped out back in the 70's to go with a 283. I swapped out two years ago to go to a 350.
The 350 is a 1987. I think I need to get the VIN correct so I don't have to smog to '87 levels in California.
Otherwise, I guess I may have to throw myself on the sword of CA DMV. That might sting.

Get it titled by the VIN # on the door. Not by the engine #. That way it doesn't matter what engine is in there, now or later. If the # on the door is the engine # or is incorrect, get DMV to issue new VIN # for the plate on the door. You can buy blank plates and stamp in the new #. I live in Va. and had a motor that the # was altered. Still don't know why, it didn't match anything. Anyway, Va. state police destroyed the motor since it is illegal to posses a motor where the # has been altered, and they issued me a new title with the VIN # that was on the door, which was a good #- meaning correct number of digits etc. So it's possible to straighten these things out, it just takes patience and determination to get through the red tape. But then again, this is only the beginning of being patient and determined when it comes to fixing up old vehicals. Good luck. Just shows the value of getting a good title with a truck/car.