should the numbers be stamped o the frame viewable under the hood? mine is a 48 f1. i havent yet seen any plates or stamps but my license plates match the title.

 

What you have is a glovebox door drilled by a previous owner (PO) for some reason known only to him. The 51/52 rating plate is long and narrow with more info.

48-50 is also a rectangle, but only about 2/3 the length of the later plate and deeper. They don't match the screw holes according to your diagram.

A couple of pictures would help us give you more specific info.

The glovebox rating plate is held on by two short (1/2") pan-head metal screws.

There's no accounting for what any state may have done for registration. You'll find each state did their own thing and there's even a wide variation within a state.

 

Yes, but you'll have to get under the hood to find them. Passenger side up near the motor mount x-member is the most common spot, but they've been reported on both sides and anywhere between the rad and firewall.

Scrub the frame clean and use a strong light at an angle.