Terraplane Engine VIN Locale

commodorecollector

Hi All,
I am just wondering where they Hudson Terraplane stamp the VIN number on the engine? How did it change from 1933 to 1939?

If they did not stamp the VIN on the earlier engines, how would you know you have the original engine?

thanks,
Chris

Jon B

For some of those years (or maybe all) they stamped the engine number (which was different from the serial number) onto a flat spot on the engine block. This was at the passenger's side, at the very front of the block, just below the cylinder head.

commodorecollector

Thanks Jon! I will have to wait till I get my Terraplane's home before I can learn more about them.

hudsontech

Up to mid-1938 engine and serial numbers were different - after mid-1938 they were the same. I have some of the earlier engine starting numbers, but not all of them.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

dholck

A hot rod guy pointed out to me that the three blocks I bought (35 - 37) also had date stamps cast into the blocks.

hudsontech

1934 engine numbers ran 48000 to 102011 for Model K; 48000 to 108302 for Model KU and 77291 to 112911 for Model KS. However, it's all academic as the engines are the same.
Engine numbers on 1935 Terraplane ran from 103000 to 155564 on the Model 51's and about the same (103000 to 154813 on the Model 52 Special. So up to there it could be from either car, but it's academic as the engines are the same ;like in 1934. Basically the engines for the two years are identical with minor changes - like carburetors for example.

Hudsonly
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

commodorecollector

Thanks Alex for the info!