VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 VIN vs. Engine Number

Hi,

A potential buyer of the '32 asked me if the engine numbers lined up with the VIN because the VIN usually matched.

The VIN on the title for my '32 says 31023344. The numbers off the engine are:

836573
A 26 2
8

My spare engine starts with 8 also...

Even if this is not the original motor, it seems that it doesn't have anything to do with the VIN. The body plate usually found on the wooden floorboards inside the car are long gone.

Ideas? I've assumed it's a "clean title", but don't know what that really means for a '32.

Thanks,
Mark

The engine number is STAMPED into the raised area behind the fuel pump.
The raised numbers you listed are the casting numbers, dates, etc.
Prior to 1955 most states used the engine number for registration.

31023344 appears to be the engine number, however the number has one too many digits. The engine serial number has seven digits, not eight, so you might want to check the number again.

There was no such thing as a "VIN" number in 1932. It was actually called a "Car Serial Number" and the Car Serial Number never matched the engine serial number because they are two completely different serial numbers.

836573 is a block casting number, not a serial number and the block casting number designates the model year of the cylinder block, which, in this case, would be 1932.

Thanks you guys, I found the serial number: 3I03344. Note the "I" replaced with "1" and there is no "2" in it. I found the registration from Wisconsin and it matches the 31023344 number. It looks like two clerical errors made a long time ago.

So how does one tell the DMV the VIN is wrong? "trust me, I didn't file off the extra '2'!". Does one?

Mark

As stated above, there was no VIN number used in 1932. It is a "Car Serial Number".

DMV usually corrects obvious errors. Washington is one of the states that did or still does register classic vehicles by the engine serial number. It may require an inspection....Joe

Virginia Works similar...

report the error to DMV
they schedule you in a visit from the Auditor/ Person
they come out view Paperwork & Engine Serial Number
Approve/ Deny/ Question Info
They Sign and send in paperwork
2-3 weeks get updated title/ paperwork

Know this from experience, whole process took me about 2-3 Months !! Friend did his and was all done in less than a month for him.

Just remember ONE KEY THING with DMV, ONLY GIVE THEM WHAT THEY ASK FOR in way of INFORMATION. Give them more and all it does it RAISE CONCERNS & QUESTIONS !! If they do not ask for it, do not give it to them. Granted have all necessary paperwork ready JUST in case !!

To this moment in life, I have never understood the thinking or the wisdom of various states, by using the engine number, instead of the car serial number on the title or registration.

The car serial number stays with the car, but the engine number can readily disappear with an engine replacement.

Then the owner has to scramble to make things right again.

Never made any sense.

Well it may be that before 1952 or 53 all cars didn't have a VIN or a really available automobile serial number, just body numbers and engine numbers. So therefore, or whatever, or why ever,some states used engine numbers on the titles........and ofter it is hard for bureaucrats to do anything as simple as changing the way they do things, it requires thinking a problem through. which does not get you a promotion to a less strenuous job.

"and ofter it is hard for bureaucrats to do anything as simple as changing the way they do things, it requires thinking a problem through. which does not get you a promotion to a less strenuous job".

Yes, that wraps up the comments real well.

836573 Engine Casting,Chev Make,32 Year,194 CID = 3main(number of mains),Head = 836718 Possible Stamped/Serial Numbers

Those were the numbers I found for the block number you posted.

An update. I talked with the Washington State Patrol today, have my inspection appointment in January. For title transfers, inspections are no longer required. Inspections are for the things out of the ordinary (home built, junker recovery, etc).

He says there's no impediment to selling the car, just make sure the buyer knows they've got to get the number corrected eventually.

Mark

If I was the potential buyer, I would want all numbers to be in agreement, before I hand over the cash.

Too many nightmare stories out there, with numbers that re not in agreement.

Your state may be absolutely correct in stating the process to correct is not complicated.

I would like all the corrections made, before my purchase.

Just an opinion or food for thought, not criticizing the state.