68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
#2205603
12/01/16 12:09 AM
12/01/16 12:09 AM
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cataclysm80
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The only engines available on a 68 Charger R/T were the 440 & the Hemi. I know Air Conditioning wasn't available with the Hemi. Could you get Air Conditioning with the 440? http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/dealerships/_1968-DealershipsOrderingInfo.shtml?load_img=1This link says that Air Conditioning was not available with 4 speed manual trans on 383-2 barrels or R/T or 6 cylinder manual. Does that mean no Air Conditioning on any R/T, or no Air Conditioning on 4 speed R/T? (I just bought a 68 Charger 383-2 barrel auto trans with air conditioning. Original engine is gone, and I'm trying to decide how I want to build the car. It's a keeper, no plans to sell it. LL1 Dark Turquoise, White interior, White vinyl top. It came with a 440 short block, so I'm thinking it would look good as an R/T clone with a white bumblebee stripe. The 440 was a blue engine in 68 though, and I prefer orange engines. I'd put an orange Hemi in it if it wasn't for the air conditioning. decisions decisions. Did a 1968 383 engine have the VIN stamped on it anywhere? If not, maybe I could just return it to stock. Hmm...) Tav
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Re: 68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
[Re: cataclysm80]
#2205615
12/01/16 12:18 AM
12/01/16 12:18 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
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fastmark
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If it was an early build car then it probably did not have the vin stamped on the block. Yes you could get a 68 R/T with air. I've worked on several. I should clarify my statement. They were available in automatic and not 4 speeds.
Last edited by fastmark; 12/01/16 10:25 AM.
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Re: 68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
[Re: cataclysm80]
#2205628
12/01/16 12:46 AM
12/01/16 12:46 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,836 Florida
mopar346
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My 69 auto RT has A/C, as mentioned above not available on 4 speed RTs or I believe not any 440 4 speeds not just RTs or Chargers.
Careful, your character's showing!
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Re: 68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
[Re: NANKET]
#2205685
12/01/16 02:04 AM
12/01/16 02:04 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
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cataclysm80
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Thanks a bunch guys! I'm leaning towards making it an optioned out 440 auto trans car then. The AC firewall is in good shape, and the car already has the 727 auto and console shift setup. The 440 short block that it came with is a 1972 cast crank. I can find another if needed, but does it matter? Is any 440 block ok as long as I use the right cam, heads, intake, etc.? I can use a steel crank in this 440 block right? The cars Scheduled Production Date is March 28th 1968. I'm guessing that's probably late enough that the engine would have had a VIN stamped on it. No worries about trying to find an early unstamped engine then. Besides, the VIN will always say that it's a 383-2 barrel car and not an R/T, so I guess engine numbers don't really matter here. Is any 440 block buildable, or is there some I should avoid? It would be nice if it looked mostly correct after it was assembled. Tav
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Re: 68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
[Re: cataclysm80]
#2205716
12/01/16 03:27 AM
12/01/16 03:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,521 Las Vegas, NV
6bblgt
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as stated above - all '68 big-blocks (non-HEMI) were turquoise NO A/C on any MOPAR with 440 & 4-spd ..... but NO VIN stamping on any 1968 MOPAR with 383 2bbl yes, you can build the block you have with a steel crank & 906 heads if desired
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Re: 68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
[Re: fastmark]
#2206507
12/02/16 03:34 PM
12/02/16 03:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
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cataclysm80
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Thanks! Numbers matching is neat, but I'm not overly concerned about it. I'm more concerned about it looking correct than whether the numbers actually match. It is neat to know that I could find a 1968 383 at any point in the future and return the car to it's original 383-2 barrel "numbers matching" status. I don't think I'd have as much fun driving a 2 barrel car around though. If it was a 383-4 barrel car, then I might consider using a stroked 383 and trying to make it numbers matching. I'd really want the white bumblebee stripe and at least one 4 barrel carb though, so I'm leaning towards the 440. When I say it out loud, "440" makes me feel better than "stroked 383". Planning to meet a guy on Monday that says he has a 1968 440, so maybe I'll pick that up. I am interested in hearing why a stroked 383 is better than a stock 440 though. Is it simply greater displacement? How big can you stroke a 383? Does it remain pretty drivable? (I prefer regular driving & cruising over racing.) I'm also building a 1970 Roadrunner 383 4 speed air grabber car.
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Re: 68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
[Re: cataclysm80]
#2206870
12/03/16 10:32 AM
12/03/16 10:32 AM
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On 68s, if it was stamped, the numbers would be stamped back near the bell housing flange on the driver side I think. That area gets covered with oil and dust as it's behind the head so often hard to see. Striker 383 would get you a 432 cu in. I'd do that IF you wanted to maintain the 383 appearance. It may also make the AC use a bit easier. I'm not sure if brackets and hoses are the same between Raised 440 block and the low deck. I know small block and. If block have different hoses. Personally, if you are buying crank anyway, I'd get striker kit for 440 to get me 499. You could then have a decent cam that allows you to use with AC and would still have some serious stump pulling torque. I think I'd go turquoise engine with your color combo.
68 Road Runner (383/4speed, post car w/decor pkg) - Major Project 69 Road Runner w/472 Hemi & 4 speed. 70 Challenger R/T SE EF8 w/ V9J, U - A32 - Major Project 2023 Ford Mach 1
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Re: 68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
[Re: cataclysm80]
#2207040
12/03/16 05:08 PM
12/03/16 05:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
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CSK
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you can stroke a 383 to 496
1968 Charger COLD A/C Hilborn EFI 512ci 9.7 compression, Stealth heads, 4.10 gear A518 ODtrans 4100lb,10.93 full street car trim 2020 T/A 392 Stock 11.79 @ 114.5
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Re: 68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
[Re: sthemi]
#2290197
04/18/17 08:02 PM
04/18/17 08:02 PM
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cataclysm80
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Factory ac BRKT is a giant cast iron piece, unique to 440. Used in 67 and 68 only. It's great to know that they're different. Anyone have a picture? I'll probably need to find one.
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Re: 68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
[Re: cataclysm80]
#2290336
04/18/17 11:50 PM
04/18/17 11:50 PM
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NANKET
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I removed this from a 68 440 engine. I see no casting numbers, yet.
Last edited by NANKET; 04/19/17 01:52 PM.
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Re: 68 Charger R/T - Could they have Air Conditioning?
[Re: NANKET]
#2290493
04/19/17 11:09 AM
04/19/17 11:09 AM
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6PakBee
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Why is that bracket restricted to 440? What does the 383 use?
Edit: Okay, let me re-phrase this. Is this bracket 440 application only? If so, what would a 383 use? If not, then this bracket would fit a 383?
Last edited by 6PakBee; 04/19/17 11:47 PM. Reason: Apparent Confusion As To What I Was Asking
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