Any issues with vehicle licensing inspection on cars with personally built engine?

[FFR65Coupe]

Hello. I'd like to know from the people that have built their own engines for their coupes if you ran into any problems during the vehicle inspection and licensing? I live in Aberdeen, WA if that makes any difference. What info did they ask for pertaining to the engine? Did you have to provide detailed information for all engine parts? Just curious because I plan on building my own 351W for my coupe. I want to make sure I have all the information needed when it comes time to get it inspected and licensed. Thanks.

[Robodent]

From my experience here in Illinois I had to have the block ID# and the trans ID# even tho they were brand new from Mike forte . After the state had my numbers they were ran to see if they were stolen or not . Hope this helps. Rob

[edwardb]

Every state is going to be different. You need to ask your local authorities. No questions here in Michigan other than receipts so they get their sales tax. :p

[Mastertech5]

Most states require the VIN from the vehicle the engine came from so they can check to see if it is from a stolen vehicle and it,or a partial in most cases, must be on the block if they are use parts. New just requires a receipt.

[ggunter]

I got my engine from Blueprint, and they stamp a job number on top of the block behind the intake. In Md. they used that number as an engine serial as Ford doesn't use serial numbers on blocks. Just casting numbers. So, I am told. If I was building my own engine, I would keep every single receipt of everything I put in the engine. It pays to have too much paper at DMV during registration time. Like Edward B said, check your state to see what they require to be safe.

[ggunter]

It amazes me how wildly different across this country it is to register one of these cars.

[Papa]

As stated, every state is likely going to have specific requirements and you'd get a more appropriate response from your state's authorities. For comparison with what others have and will provide, here is what I needed in Colorado. Step one was a Colorado State Police (CSP) inspection, which included the officer conducting the inspection running the chassis number and engine serial number to check for stollen parts. As part of this process, the CSP requires documentation of the purchase that shows those numbers as well as a physical check of the numbers. Step two was to present the CSP documentation along with receipts for all major components to the Colorado DMV to get a VIN assigned. Step three was to have the VIN plate installed by the CSP. Step four was to title and register the car and pay the state sales tax on the value of the major components.

[Skuzzy]

I kept all my receipts for the engine and took pictures of the parts which had serial or part numbers on them as well. It is hit and miss in Texas on what will be required. Time of the day and the mood of the people seem to come into play.

[GoDadGo]

Every state is going to be different. You need to ask your local authorities. No questions here in Michigan other than receipts so they get their sales tax. :p

Ditto for the State of Louisiana compared to Michigan, but you need to check with your DMV Specialty Vehicle Unit so that you know what they are expecting to inspect.

Good Luck & Happy Wrenching!

[Jeff Kleiner]

As has been stated every state will have their own regulations. With every car that I have taken through the title and registration process here in Indiana when the Police officers have come out to do the preliminary VIN paperwork I have offered to show them where the engine and transmission numbers are and although it's up to the officer's discretion whether to notate them or not they have always declined. I suspect that if they were doing the same at a place that looked more like a chop shop littered with vehicle carcasses it might go differently.

Jeff