Posted By: lunacy
1948 B-1-F Engine number on title instead of Serial - 12/17/09 01:39 AM
I bought a 48 Dodge 1-1/2 ton flat bed a while back. The title has the engine number on it T14817406, not the actual serial number listed on the cab. The motor that is in it is seized up and the truck is destined for a cummins swap anyway. Do any of you know if I can get this changed on the title or how do I go about getting it right so I can get it legal once it has a new motor?
Posted By: RodStRace
Re: 1948 B-1-F Engine number on title instead of Serial - 12/17/09 04:07 PM
Before you remove the engine or strip the truck down, talk to the local motor vehicles and the highway patrol. There was no set way to record the serial numbers back then, so sometimes the body number was used, sometimes the engine number.
There was a guy on the HAMB that had the car inspected and a new title issued with the body number. He needed a new title in his name, and he explained that he would be replacing the engine (I'd avoid mentioning a newer engine) so he wanted the title to reflect the body number. Research the state laws and see if you can provide them with copies. Show them you aren't trying to pull a fast one, and they should work with you, but do it while all the numbers are still together....
Posted By: PocketThunder
Re: 1948 B-1-F Engine number on title instead of Serial - 12/18/09 08:38 PM
And dont forget to post up pictures of the truck for us!
Posted By: FM3_1970
Re: 1948 B-1-F Engine number on title instead of Serial - 12/20/09 05:03 AM
RodStRace is right, I think. Before 1956, Texas used engine numbers in titles for most vehicles, then went to chassis numbers (1949 for Fords). Think California changed over about then, too. As long as you have the original motor in the truck, and the number on it matches the title, you shouldn't have any problems getting a new title. Maybe they'll let you use the chassis number (do a "title correction"), but you'll probably have to get a new, state assigned VIN, and a new VIN plate on the door frame. Doesn't sound like you're doing a resto,
so that shouldn't bother you.
Here's a link to the TexasDOT website page for vehicle title publications:
http://www.txdot.gov/txdot_library/drivers_vehicles/publications/title.htm The downloadable Motor Vehicle Title Manual should tell you what the forms and procedures are.
Posted By: fstfish66
Re: 1948 B-1-F Engine number on title instead of Serial - 12/20/09 06:09 AM
gonna shoe horn a cummins in there? wow,,,can you say move that fire walll,,,kool project,,,we put a cumming in a 1 ton 1975 dodge van,learned a lot then, wasnt my van,,but the van rotted away the low mileage cummins is sitting under a bench where it will be for ever i suppose,,,
Posted By: lunacy
Re: 1948 B-1-F Engine number on title instead of Serial - 12/20/09 06:12 AM
No, I'm not planning on a proper restoration. My main goal is to keep it titled as a 1948 as I plan on using a 90's Dodge frame, I want to be able to run cheaper classic car insurance and not have to worry about the emissions and other requirements for newer cars. I appreciate the link, I need to give them a call when the holidays are over.
Posted By: lunacy
Re: 1948 B-1-F Engine number on title instead of Serial - 12/20/09 06:15 AM
Planning on a 90's 1 ton frame/drivetrain swap. Based on some rough measurements it looks like it will fit with some firewall clearance, but even the intercooler will drop between the front fenders.
Quote:
gonna shoe horn a cummins in there? wow,,,can you say move that fire walll,,,kool project,,,we put a cumming in a 1 ton 1975 dodge van,learned a lot then, wasnt my van,,but the van rotted away the low mileage cummins is sitting under a bench where it will be for ever i suppose,,,
Posted By: fstfish66
Re: 1948 B-1-F Engine number on title instead of Serial - 12/20/09 06:32 AM
nice,,manual or auto ?? dually ?? intresting project,,,
Posted By: lunacy
Re: 1948 B-1-F Engine number on title instead of Serial - 12/20/09 06:48 AM
Looking at running a dually using the old style wheels, probably run a cummins with a manual transmission. Pretty much wanting to find a wrecked truck and swap most of the stuff over. I figure if you can run big rig wheels on these trucks, you can get adapters to run the old style wheels. I want to keep it with a flat bed and run dual stacks, straight cut with the old school flapper covers on top. I want to make it look kind of period hot rod until you open the hood.
Posted By: DodgeB2D126
Re: 1948 B-1-F Engine number on title instead of Serial - 01/13/10 02:29 AM
You will find the serial number on that truck on the left frame rail at the front tire..i think it will be infront of the tire..hope this is of some help..here is a link that should be of help with the number you seek..
http://t137.com/registry/help/partspages/4853/slide001.html
