no numbers now what?

[silversink]

Update-----I got a body tag from the suppliers and had the number engraved on it, riveted it to the firewall, Went to the DMV and played stupid and let the professional locate the numbers. He searched for a min. and located the tag on the firewall next to the stock tag , he proudly said I Located it , wrote the numbers down and it was done.

Thanks for all your help ---I hope this helps someone else( I forgot to say I painted over the tag so it looked like the rest of the firewall).

 

[George Miller]

i am the third owner, i have a title that is with the car, i have the original matching numbers engine (not in the car), i have paperwork from the late 30s that covers oil changes, registrations, plus after the car was parked in 1972 the owner bought tags and never put them on the car up until 1984, i was told by the state police the number would have to be inspected before the washington title could be changed to an oregon title( same story at dmv), i tried to explain the eng. No. Was the dominate no. And the frame was nothing but a number matching what ever number was on the eng. Been trying to do this on the up and up but now maybe its going to get a little shady. The title i got with the car is a legal not a bought title i'm thinking of putting the original eng. Back in even though it doesn't run and call out the state poice again for one last try at doing it the right way.

that might be your best bet. We have the same problem in nc.
I have had good luck putting white chak on the frame then wiping it off that will help to read the number.

 

[Rex_A_Lott]

Update-----I got a body tag from the suppliers and had the number engraved on it, riveted it to the firewall, Went to the DMV and played stupid and let the professional locate the numbers. He searched for a min. and located the tag on the firewall next to the stock tag , he proudly said I Located it , wrote the numbers down and it was done.

Thanks for all your help ---I hope this helps someone else( I forgot to say I painted over the tag so it looked like the rest of the firewall).

I love it when its all legal and certified by the government expert.
Good for you!

 

[ian Simpson]

When the state cannot be reasonable, its time to take matters into your own hands. Get a set of stamps from Harbor Freight and restamp it.

Where I come from, that might be considered fraud. Please proceed carefully.

 

[ian Simpson]

When I was in the Homicide Squad, the Auto Squad was next door and they used a chemical (don't know the name), that lifts the stamped numbers after they've been ground off. It picks up on the compressed metal below the surface. They can do the same thing with ground-off serial numbers on firearms. I've seen it done and it is impressive. Check with a PD that has an Auto Squad.

I think either hydrochloric or sulphuric acid will reveal the numbers.

 

[ian Simpson]

When I was in the Homicide Squad, the Auto Squad was next door and they used a chemical (don't know the name), that lifts the stamped numbers after they've been ground off. It picks up on the compressed metal below the surface. They can do the same thing with ground-off serial numbers on firearms. I've seen it done and it is impressive. Check with a PD that has an Auto Squad.

I'm restoring the original numbers. I'm not changing numbers to commit fraud.

How about a frame change? A person then has a frame that may have numbers registered to another car on the road. The same goes for an engine change. Many engine numbers are ground off and changed during an engine rebuild.

Tom, I do not know about your jurisdiction, but here there are definite protocols dealing with this type of situation. Some years ago, my son and I changed the body on his jeep CJ5. The vin was recorded on the dash of both bodies. The DOT had a protocol that dealt with the issue (details no longer remembered) that allowed him to sell the vehicle shortly thereafter.

 

[ian Simpson]

Update-----I got a body tag from the suppliers and had the number engraved on it, riveted it to the firewall, Went to the DMV and played stupid and let the professional locate the numbers. He searched for a min. and located the tag on the firewall next to the stock tag , he proudly said I Located it , wrote the numbers down and it was done.

Thanks for all your help ---I hope this helps someone else( I forgot to say I painted over the tag so it looked like the rest of the firewall).

I think I will do this using the numbers from my current registration (Title). Great idea.

 

[lloyde]

You have a title to the car and an engine that matches the title. What you need is to have them inspect the old engine and change the number to the new engine. I have done this before in Montana. If you put in the old engine and then change it out you will be back to your title not matching the number on your car. Not good!