1969 Dodge Charger Resto Help

I am starting the process of possibly restoring my 69 Charger back to factory original or making it whatever I want. It has always been a personal choice that if a car had the original drive train that it should be returned to original. If it did not however, then the sky is the limit. Herin lies my dilema. I don't know if I have the original drive train or not so I am requesting the invaluable knowlege of this wonderful board to help me figure this out.

First a little background info:

I bought the car in 1995 and it is a B7 blue 1969 Dodge Charger 383 four barrel car (H code). It has an automatic tranny. It has a buddy seat with white interior. It has column shifting and has cruise control. When I bought the car I knew that the engine needed rebuilt. When I took the engine out I looked for the VIN number on the side of the engine block and did not see any numbers whatsoever. Instantly I thought to myself OK, then I'll make it whatever I want. I had great plans for the car (Dana 60, Hemi, 4-speed etc.). So far, and I am ashamed to say this but, the car has sat untouched for years. Basically because of life in general and because of purchasing another 69 Charger. Which has a Dana 60, Hemi, 4-speed etc. Not purchased that way because it is only a 383 two barrel (G code) car. Between the time I purchased the first car and working on the second one I have learned a ton of stuff. Mainly because of this sight and all the great people on it!!

Anyway, the car was built in October of 1968 (A09). It has no head rests. The engine casting date is 02/27/1968. So my questions are this:

Is it even possible for this engine to be a candidate to be installed into this car with such a lag from the casting date to the build date?

If the engine could be a match, could it be possible because the car was built in 1968 that they did not put the VIN numbers on the side of the block even though it is for a 1969 build? I hope that makes sense.

I do have the build sheet if that at all helps!!

It's not uncommon to have an engine block that was cast the year prior to the model year of the car it is installed into. My 68 RT had a 67 block etc.

The assembly date for the engine I believe is stamped on the flat pad near the distributor opening. Obviously this should be a date after the casting date which is located on the side of the block.

On a 1968 block the VIN or partial VIN should be located near / behind the oil pressure sending unit port on the lip of the block (right where the transmission mates).

I'm not an expert and it's been a while since I had my 1968 R/T, so if I'm wrong about something, I'm sure someone will correct me.

Hope this helps.

-Dan

I am not worried about a 68 block going into a 69. There has to be some sort of lag. Any feel for what the "average" lag time was back then? Probably depends on assembly build more than anything else.

See I am still learning things everyday. I forgot about the VIN possibly being on the lip of the block where the tranny mounts. Hmmmmm.... I'll check that as soon as I get home tonight. The block has been sitting there all these years and I never thought once to check there!!

I'll check the flat pad near the distributor opening while I'm at it and write those numbers and/or letters down and report back later tonight. I know I won't know what they mean. Forgot about that also!!

If there was no VIN stamping its possible it was a warranty block. Not uncommon to grenade an engine back then & get a warranty replacement.

AFAIK starting with the '69 model year all engines were stamped with ar least the last 8 of the VIN on the pass side where the oil pan bolted up

Look behind the oil pressure sending unit on the top of the block by the bellhousing to see if there is a VIN there. If so it would be for a 68 model.

Thank you for all of the replies. I searched everywhere on the block and there are no numbers anywhere!! There are some stampings on the pad near the distributor. They are:
383
3 23

The side opposite of the distributor but still in the front has a 7 stamped on it. These are the only markings I could find. Probably not the original block I suppose? Too bad because I have everything else.