What is the acceptable range for a cast date vs the build date for a 340 block?

If a block was cast in 5/69 could it be the original block for a car built in 11/69?

Thanks Matt

Possible but not likely, most were assembled within a month of the casting date. Look on the front of the block (drivers side under the deck surface) the 10,000 day assembly date will be there, an assembly date that is within a few days or weeks prior to you cars SPD will be "most correct" in most peoples opinions.

I can't say if yours is correct or not, but its possible. But my 71 340 is an exception to what is considered correct. My 340 blocks julian date is July 8th 1970 and the cars SPD was in Oct 14th 1970.

Hey NV69B7RR
check your e-mail

Could it... sure.

Not the norm but not outside the range.

seen some 71-72 cars with blocks cast in say jan and feb in cars SPD in the aug/sep ranges. Anything is possible.

My guess is a block with that casting date went into a 1970 model year car. get those numbers and you will know for sure.

I'll look it up this weekend.

A friend of mine had a 73 340 Cuda with the original motor that was cast 11/71. I figured it was the last year for the 340 so Chrysler used whatever was laying around. I dont remember any other dates on the car or block. It's been a few years ago.

When it comes to engine casting dates vs assembly dates vs installation dates one needs to speak in general terms as far as what was the "norm" because there were MANY exceptions over the years. Proving possible exceptions to be indisputable facts all boils down to originallity and documentation.

I have found that any Mopar engine cast after 1969 could be used in cars up to 1974, those before the 70 model year usually are cast pretty close to 2 months before the SPD.

Wasn't any JIT inventory going on at chrysler back then... bell curve anyone?

Guys

Thanks for all the replys
The reason for the post is I did get a photo of the VIN on the block, and It looks a little funky, but the photo is crap.

This is what my friend told me to look at also

"Possible but not likely, most were assembled within a month of the casting date. Look on the front of the block (drivers side under the deck surface) the 10,000 day assembly date will be there, an assembly date that is within a few days or weeks prior to you cars SPD will be "most correct" in most peoples opinions."

I need to get more information

The car is a 1970

Thanks again guys.

Matt

FYI, VIN # stampings were quite OFTEN poorly done, what you decribed doesn't surprise me at all. Post a decent pic of it and we can let you know what we think.

had a numbers match original 69 340 dart, block was cast in 11-67, as was the intake etc.
the vin numbers were correct, un altered Car had been parked since 74. Suprised me hope this helps

My best guess is that this is an original stamping, scrape the paint and take a better pic and I would have a stronger opinion one way or the other. Also, those numbers on the face of the block would come into play, get those as well.