Number matching engine question for 1969 Dodge Superbee
#708687
05/26/10 07:57 PM
05/26/10 07:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 16
Fort Bragg, California
otto37
OP
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 16
Fort Bragg, California
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I have a 1969 Dodge Superbee that I purchased. I was told it is matching number. Recently i bought a book that explains where to find the number, etc. It does not appear to have the correct engine to me. Can someone please advise if for sure it is wrong, based on the engine block date,or, is it possible this is still the correct engine, and maybe I need to remove the engine to look for vin numbers. This is what I have found:
1. The top engine pad, passenger side, next to the distributor: R 2 16 According to my book, The R is the code for undersized main bearings. It indicates 0.001in undersized rod bearings. I don't know what the 2 or 16 mean.
The book says this is also where the year letter stamp would be, and it would be a D for 1968 or a E for 1969. This is also suppose to be where the HP2 would be.
So no year indicated on the top pad. The only thing I can think is that maybe more stamping are under the head?
2. The drivers side of the block has the date: 1-29-65. This is below the part number 2468130. This would appear to me to be the wrong date, but still a 383. My understanding is that a 1969 car would have a date on the block of 1969 or 1969. Is this correct?
3. The book says the VIN is located on the bottom of the block on the passenger side near the oil pan flange. In late 1968 Chrysler stamped the last eight digits of a car's serial number(found on the VIN) at the rear of the engine at the point where the block and transmission meet. In 1969, this was moved to the lower passenger side of the block. Early 1969 models used the entire thirteen digit VIN, while later models used only the last eight digits, a practice that continued into 1971.
Since the car is a 1969, I assumed according to the book to look for the VIN at the lower passenger side of the block, but I can't find any numbers there. Would it be under the oil pan?
But if the block is late 1968, then according to the book, I need to look between the engine and transmission. Meaning I need to remove the engine.
I have found my trans numbers and it seems to match(the last 8 digits of the vin are on the transmission, but, the last 8 digits of the vin have one letter "G", and on the trans in the number it has a "0" in the same spot. I'm thinking maybe they use the number zero in place of the letter "G"? The radiator support matches, fender tag options seem to match, but the engine does not seem to match.
Is this enough info for someone to advise me if my car might still be number matching, or if it is not? I'm told that Dodge was not always exact in numbers. Please advise. Tahnks in advance.
Mike
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Re: Number matching engine question for 1969 Dodge Superbee
[Re: otto37]
#708690
05/26/10 08:23 PM
05/26/10 08:23 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,948
Harlan, Iowa
69CoronetRT
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,948
Harlan, Iowa
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Quote:
1. The top engine pad, passenger side, next to the distributor: R 2 16 According to my book, The R is the code for undersized main bearings. It indicates 0.001in undersized rod bearings. I don't know what the 2 or 16 mean.
The book says this is also where the year letter stamp would be, and it would be a D for 1968 or a E for 1969. This is also suppose to be where the HP2 would be.
So no year indicated on the top pad. The only thing I can think is that maybe more stamping are under the head? Question 2, the block casting date of 1-29-65, pretty much tells us this is a block for a 1965 model year car. Are you sure there is no "A", indicating model year 1965, on the pad?
2. The drivers side of the block has the date: 1-29-65. This is below the part number 2468130. This would appear to me to be the wrong date, but still a 383. My understanding is that a 1969 car would have a date on the block of 1969 or 1969. Is this correct? Yes. A 1969 model year 383 would most likely have a block cast mid to late 1968 or early to mid 1969 depending on the build date of your car.
3. The book says the VIN is located on the bottom of the block on the passenger side near the oil pan flange. In late 1968 Chrysler stamped the last eight digits of a car's serial number(found on the VIN) at the rear of the engine at the point where the block and transmission meet. In 1969, this was moved to the lower passenger side of the block. Early 1969 models used the entire thirteen digit VIN, while later models used only the last eight digits, a practice that continued into 1971.
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Is this enough info for someone to advise me if my car might still be number matching, or if it is not? I'm told that Dodge was not always exact in numbers. Please advise. Tahnks in advance.
Mike There are two different years and two different VIN stampings. The 1968 model year, not calendar year, cars may have the VIN stamped on the back of the block and top of the transmission. For the 1969 model year (roughly 8/68 through 7/69) the whole VIN, or part of the VIN, will be stamped on the pad on the passenger's side of the block. Since this is for a 1969 model year car, the VIN should be on the pad. Mike, from what you've described, it appears that the engine in the car is not the original engine.
Last edited by 69CoronetRT; 05/26/10 08:25 PM.
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Re: Number matching engine question for 1969 Dodge Superbee
[Re: 69CoronetRT]
#708691
05/26/10 09:55 PM
05/26/10 09:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 16
Fort Bragg, California
otto37
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 16
Fort Bragg, California
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Thank you for the help!
I thought it was the wrong engine once I saw the 1-29-65 date, but was hoping there might be some reason for this.
As far as finding the VIN number on the passenger side of the block: I can't find any pad on the passenger side near the oil pan. Is this because it is a 1965 block, and just doesn't have it in this area? That would make sense.
I want to call the guy I bought it from, but wanted to make sure I am correct in saying it has the wrong engine.
So can you tell me for sure, that a block with the 1-29-65 date on the driver side, and no HP2 on the top pad, or year letter on the top pad, is the wrong engine for my 1969 car?
Please advise. Thanks, Mike
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