40desoto Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Im bringing this topic back up and hoping that someone in California might have an insight on this. The VIN number on my 1940 desoto as it shows on the title was stamped on the Engine block where originally the engine code would be. The prefix is CAL. This VIN number by what I can tell is nowhere else on the car. A local machine shop that has been rebuilding Chrystler straight six motors since the early 60's confirmed that my engine (block that has the VIN stamped) is a Chrystler 251 engine. They stated that these aftermarket blocks where mass manufactured without an engine code and used for city machinery.. Whatever that means? generators? Scoopmobile loader? I have successfully transferred the title to my name without the DMV verifying the numbers on the car. I have since decided to install another engine so no more VIN on the car.. Could the VIN be stamped elsewhere on the car? I guess I can restamp the new engine on the car with the CAL prefix number but then I loose the Engine number for reference. I do notice a serial number tag on the passenger door post. Im wondering if I could buy a blank one and restamp it with the VIN number on the serial tag but Im afraid that if the car was inspected in the future either by DMV or a potential buyer they would question the VIN being stamped on a Serial tag? What would be the recommended way of dealing with this? Im tempted to go to DMV and just be honest and disclose all this information but afraid of a backlash.. Quote
TodFitch Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Since the DMV is happy with the way things are now you might be able to apply to have the pink slip number changed to match the car's real serial number on the door post. I did that way back when, different state, but the clerk and inspector seemed to be fine with it. If I ever need to change out my engine at least that part will not be a problem. Quote
40desoto Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 Thank You Tod. Thats what I was thinking and Im hoping for.. Quote
TodFitch Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Arrgh! V.I.N. Number. There, fixed it for you. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Is the tag on your doorpost fastened with screws or rivets? If rivets, I would try to find similar looking rivets to attach a new tag. I think the DMV may not be pleased to see screws......which probably indicates to them a tag has been changed. I don't know what they think if seeing a nice shiny tag on a maybe rusty, dirty old car. Just saying. Quote
DonaldSmith Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Vehicle Identification VIN Number. Thank Goodness it's TGIF Friday. International House of IHOP Pancakes. I just love to fill in the redundancies. But I hate "Fifty-Year Anniversary". Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 IHOP is where all the one legged waitresses work. Quote
BigDaddyO Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 The IHOP in my town has a cute little chinese waitress. She said her name is Irene. Her one leg is shorter than the other. Quote
40desoto Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 There, fixed it for you. LOL.. I didnt catch that at first.. Thank you for taking the time to point this out to me Quote
40desoto Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 IHOP is where all the one legged waitresses work. Don, thats just wrong! Almost as bad as 'What do you tell a girl with two black eyes?......' Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 nothing..it is obvious she did not understand it the first two times...not funny...but yet hilarious....we are a sick people...lol Quote
40desoto Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) Is the tag on your doorpost fastened with screws or rivets? If rivets, I would try to find similar looking rivets to attach a new tag. I think the DMV may not be pleased to see screws......which probably indicates to them a tag has been changed. I don't know what they think if seeing a nice shiny tag on a maybe rusty, dirty old car. Just saying. I was thinking the same. Im just afraid to get into a mess by trying to do things the right way. Most of my buddies are crazy with recomendations such as.. 'Dont worry just peel the registration sticker from your wifes SUV and then have her reported as stolen... Its OK both cars are similar in weight.. CHP doesnt know the difference!... Really cant tell a 2011 Acura MDX from a 1940 Coupe? Im trying to do things the right way.. which is not very common in my neighborhood.. If I dont get good opinions from any of you Im just going to ask for advise on the HAMB.. I dont want to have to do this.. LOL Edited March 7, 2014 by 40desoto Quote
P15-D24 Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 In CA you will usually need a CHIP to inspect the vehicle numbers and sign the DMV doc for requesting the S/N change. Quote
TodFitch Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Is the tag on your doorpost fastened with screws or rivets? If rivets, I would try to find similar looking rivets to attach a new tag. I think the DMV may not be pleased to see screws......which probably indicates to them a tag has been changed. I don't know what they think if seeing a nice shiny tag on a maybe rusty, dirty old car. Just saying. At least on my older Plymouth the serial number tag is held on with something that look like rivets. Might be drive nails though. . . I've never taken it off or dug deeply enough behind it to see the back side. My personal preference would to be leave the original tags and figure out how to get the DMV to use the numbers off them in their records. I'd hate to barge into some bureaucrat with a trifling error in some form and have it snowball into an administrative disaster. So reviewing the process before going to the DMV with someone who might know the ins and outs might be a good thing. Any chance that you have a friend in law enforcement that you can have a friendly little off the record discussion of the correct way to do this? Quote
TodFitch Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 In CA you will usually need a CHIP to inspect the vehicle numbers and sign the DMV doc for requesting the S/N change. Obviously GTK types faster (and uses shorter responses) than I. Quote
JerseyHarold Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 I've had that California has authorized 'DMV agents' that do motor vehicle legwork for a fee. It might not hurt to contact one of those people. They are known to DMV personnel and may have the right connections to get you an easy answer. Quote
DJ194950 Posted March 8, 2014 Report Posted March 8, 2014 I'd suggest use of a Vin verifier- avail contacts online by searching- vin verifier-southern calif. Alot of info comes up. Usually for less than $100 they come to you by appointment and deal with all the paper work and dmv. you get the corrected title from the dmv in the mail! Attached several 1 found in a quick look. 1 is for so.cal, the other no.cal. Only the no. cal 1 was able to be attached on this forum I believe it was was vinverifier.com, put not 100% sure. A search will give the answer if interested. Up to you, Best doug VV-Vehicle-Verifications1.html Quote
DJ194950 Posted March 9, 2014 Report Posted March 9, 2014 Thought I'd add an Mopar acces. dome light switch add on that moved the vin. # to the driver post (or lower on the post) and was drilled and Screwed on! Add the switch and show the factory acces. page telling you They did it (dealers)! Attached a copy of the acces. install instructions. Best of luck with this, Doug Mopar Map Light Installation Instructions1.pdf Quote
austinsailor Posted March 9, 2014 Report Posted March 9, 2014 I've done what TodFitch suggests, but in another state. Back in the day that was the way many vehicles were registered. In Missouri there is still on the books a way to change motor numbers on the title (which equals serial number) when you change out the motor. It's signed my the mechanic replacing the motor, cost $2. I doubt it's been used in years. I changed one from the motor number to the body serial number with a simple inspection from the Highway patrol, then got a new title. I expect California has a similar provision that few people know about. Just asking a clerk in the DMV probably isn't going to turn it up. You'll probably have to dig a little deeper. I certainly wouldn't go creating and changing serial number plates on the car. Quote
DJ194950 Posted March 9, 2014 Report Posted March 9, 2014 I've done what TodFitch suggests, but in another state. Back in the day that was the way many vehicles were registered. In Missouri there is still on the books a way to change motor numbers on the title (which equals serial number) when you change out the motor. It's signed my the mechanic replacing the motor, cost $2. I doubt it's been used in years. I changed one from the motor number to the body serial number with a simple inspection from the Highway patrol, then got a new title. I expect California has a similar provision that few people know about. Just asking a clerk in the DMV probably isn't going to turn it up. You'll probably have to dig a little deeper. I certainly wouldn't go creating and changing serial number plates on the car. If your answer is responding to my post about the vin tag and moving it screws being used, I never said anything about altering #'s. The only point was the factory had some things that were authorized that used screws to attach the Original vin tag. This was about his 'original' tag that was screwed on, I don't know if that is 'original' or not. Doug Quote
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