Serial Number Issue
 

I have a 39 Standard Sedan Delivery that I've had for 20 years but never completed. I have a Maryland title in my name but I've since moved to PA. As I build the car I decided to get a PA title. However, PA doesn't recognize my MD title and they want to see the serial number on the frame. When I bought it, the car was a mess and had been previously poorly built with a sb Chevy. I welded in a MII front end and of course the serial number located there is gone. I raised the rear of the body to take a picture of the rear most serial number location at the cross member but the frame is bare. I cleaned it down to bare metal and there is no sign that a serial number was ever there. Is there any documentation that shows the serial numbers on a Sedan Delivery perhaps were in a different location. If not, I guess my last option is to raise the body and check the side body to frame mounting pad. Thanks, Bob

Re: Serial Number Issue
 

They can be difficult to find/see even on a bare frame.

Re: Serial Number Issue
 

Ford did a lot of things out of the normal range but it should have all three numbers. You may have to check the spot at the side body mount. Numbers can be raised with the right type acid if they were ever stamped. The acid picks up on the extra density in the area where the metal was displaced but I would figure you should at least be able to see two or three numbers there no matter how lightly they were stamped in. When you can't see signs of any numbers at all, it's easy to assume that that area was overlooked and just wasn't stamped. All of the US Ford light vehicles of that era shared the same frame so all should be stamped the same. Canadian production would be another story. I can't tell you how they were stamped but they did use different number coding than what was used in the US so they may be different.

Good luck on finding a number. I've heard that PA can be difficult but that's not the only state that is. Some only require a pencil rubbing of the numbers and others have to verified by a state authorized inspector and they are usually members of that state's police organization. Some states allow for assembly title by assigning a number but it usually requires a bond and may require a bill of sale from the previous owner.

Re: Serial Number Issue
 

Canadian RHD chassis for export had the numbers stamped on the opposite ( RH ) side of the front cross member, and usually included an F denoting export or RHD.
I can understand the authorities' vigilance when it comes to checking new or high dollar cars in an effort to crack down on auto theft - but an old unrestored car ?
Get some letter stamps and do it yourself.
Who's to know ?

Re: Serial Number Issue
 

Thanks to all for your help. I tried Fast Etch and have that area of the frame down to bare metal but no sign of any serial number. Looks like I'll be lifting the body off of the side mount.

swoopNZ, I do have number punches and may have used that route on another car with an after market frame.

Re: Serial Number Issue
 

Actually, the home office instruction was to stamp the engine number on the chassis frame in three places for passenger cars and only once (in the forward location) for commercial and truck chassis. So, you may well be looking for a number in a location where it never existed in the first place. Given the deviations from those instructions that abound, perhaps you'll be lucky with an exception.

Re: Serial Number Issue
 

I had to change the frame on my 39 Sedan. I only found 1 set of # up front near the cross member near 3 rivets. Did Cut the numbers off frame or cover them.
I found a 35 frame that was replaced with after market. I didn't want to use the numbers on 35 didn't want 2 cars with same number.
I used a Height ft end and didn't loose the space were the 39 had been.
I knew the numbers were good so re stamped the frame and used the small V for the star. Funny thing body worth 20 to 30 k and could be replaced with a $500 frame.
Stamp it and get it done.