Engine Number Question - Matching Numbers

[billrigsby]

 

Looking through some of my old slides yesterday from when I started my project confirmed what I thought I remembered.

Out of the three engines I have, neither of them are what was in the vehicle when I got it.

Assuming what was in the vehicle when I got it came from the factory, that is something I have not found a way to confirm.

Is there a source for VIN to engine and transmission numbers?

 

My question is; on muscle cars and other later cars you hear about matching numbers, is that such a thing on a 1948 Dodge pickup?

 

I know obviously if I put the 250 in there it's a dead giveaway that it's not correct being close to 2 in longer than the 230 but I'm not sure about the serial number issue.

 

Also what about putting a Fluid Drive Transmission and a PTO in a vehicle that did not come with it from the factory, is there a way to determine that it should not be there?

 

[JBNeal]

My '48 has a '55 Plymouth 230, but my '49 has the original 230, as does my '53 has the original 218...the Build Card is the document to verify this and other original equipment, if the Chrysler Historical Society is still operating 

[billrigsby]

52 minutes ago, JBNeal said:

if the Chrysler Historical Society is still operating 

 

 

I found an address / fax, 

No email, only mail or fax requests.

I'll shoot one off, can't hurt.

 

On other sites, people have had mixed results.

Seems there was a fire and a lot of newer (post 60s) info destroyed.  ?

 

Historical Services

12501 Chrysler Freeway

CIMS: 410-11-21

Detroit, MI 48288 USA

 

Fax: 313-252-2928

[TodFitch]

I think that "matching numbers" fetish is mostly for later vehicles. For older cars the AACA is often clueless about whether the correct engine is in the vehicle or not, at least for things other than Model A Fords for which they have lots of expert members. The Plymouth Owners Club only cares that the engineering code on the engine is correct for the car. I don't know what a Dodge or Dodge truck specific club has in their judging rules but I suspect it will be similar to what the Plymouth Owners Club does for older vehicles.

 

That said, the build card for my 1933 Plymouth indicates that the engine in my car is the one that it came with from the factory. Woo hoo! Matching numbers! But nobody looking at the car could tell without looking at the build card.

 

It will be nice to hear if the Chrysler Historical Collection is still around and able to pull up build card information. That was a great resource.