Vin# Question

[Guest aunteeks]

This is my first post. I just purchased a 1952 b3b and found this site. The information is outstanding. I Looked over the serial number info and can't find the number on my truck. Any help decoding this would be helpful. The number is 5112139073. Thanks for the help. John

[greg g]

look also on the engine. There is a flat machined boss near the generator. Just below the head seam with the block. There should be a number stamped into that flat surface. Should start with a T for truck.

[Guest aunteeks]

Greg, Sorry to look so dumb, but the number you mention is what? Also, am I right that the 511 portion of the serial# is build location?

[TodFitch]

If it is like the passenger cars then the serial number should be on the door hinge post (driver side for post WW2 cars). The engine number on a boss on the block above the generator (and stamped on the driver side frame where it kicks up over the rear axle). And the body number on a tag on the firewall.

All three are different. Serial number is all digits (no letters). Engine number starts with the engineering code for the vehicle. For trucks that would be a "T". Body numbers are all over the place on format.

I don't have truck serial or engine numbers so I can't help you with the number you posted.

[greg g]

Engine swaps were very common on these MOPARS, cars with truck engines, trucks with car engines, Plymouths with Dodge engines etc. The swap is pretty simple and quick and was done alot to keep a vehicle running. the Engine number will indicate whether you vehicle has had a swap.

[Guest aunteeks]

The engine # begins with T However there is a number on the head That begins with a large P followed by a series of numbers. Does that make it a plymouth head or was it born with a plymouth engine?

There's so much to learn. My Last MOPAR was a 1970 'Cuda. That was in 1978. If I new then what I know now, I'd still have it.

[Merle Coggins]

John,

Try this web site to decipher your serial #. http://www.t137.com/registry/help/decode.php

Something isn't quite right with your number. First of all, it should start with an 8, and I think you have too many numbers.

1951 B3B serial #'s are 82215001 - 82256916 or 85308001 - 85313574

1952 B3B serial #'s are 82257601 - 82302000 or 85313701 - 85322000

As I recall, the "82" numbers were Detroit built, and the "85" numbers were built in California.

The serial # should be on a tag on the cab, driver's side door post, between the hinges. If that tag is missing, like mine is, you can find your serial # stamped into the left frame rail, just ahead of the front axle and behind the front spring mount. I borrowed this picture form the DPETCA site http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/index.htm , another great source of info on our trucks.

As for your engine #... If it is the original engine, it should start with T306, followed by a 5 or 6 digit serial number. This engine should be a 218 CID engine.

Welcome aboard.

[Guest aunteeks]

Merle,

Thanks for the info. I'm soaking the frame rail in WD40 to clean up the area rightnow and hope that the # shows up. The 511..... # comes from a tag on the fire wall near the batt. Like yours the door tag is gone. The DOT is using the 511 number for identification. Don't know if I should correct or not.

Just got done cleaning and like magic an 8 digit # shows up. Imagine my surprise when I find out it's a 1952 b-3-c not a b-3-b. The web sight you mentioned was great. It Gave all the info I needed. THANKS. John

[greg g]

As long as the registration title folks accept that number, I'd leave well enough alone. The number you are posting is likely the Body number. These cars and trucks were components brought together and assembled act the factories. To further confuse maters, some states used engine numbers some states used serial numbers (the one from the tag on the door post) The bodies for the cars (at least Plymouths) were made by Briggs (they made Packard bodies also) and sent to the factory, So perhaps the trucks are the same, the tag on the fire wall is likely the body number. What is the engine number??? The head casting is I'm told just a sequence casting number. heads are interchangable, so it may have been changed also, but the block number will tell you a bit about the vehicle.

[Guest aunteeks]

Greg,

That would make sense. The block# is T30688853 and is I think right for this truck.

The information here is priceless and I thank you for sharing some of it.

[Fernando Mendes]

aunteeks this number 5112-... is the BODY number.The V I Number is located on the right or left front door hinge pillar.Good luck.