Looking at buying a U code 73 Charger SE. The motor block is blank in the VIN pad area. Casting year of the block is difficult to read but cast part number is the later 73-78 440. Top of motor assembly pad picture is attached. Assy. date is 2 23 but there appears to be no letter in front of the 440 stamp identifying the year.

Warranty replacement?

Thanks.

I don't think there is any way of knowing with just that information. The ID pad appears to be original based on the wide machining grooves. The stamping doesn't follow the normal pattern but it was a manual process so maybe it was the guys first day on the job and he just screwed it up. If you buy the car you'll probably find more clues that lead you to a final conclusion. The date codes on various engine parts can also help point the way. If the intake manifold, cylinder heads, water pump housing, etc. all have date codes which slightly precede the engine assembly date and the engine assembly date is slightly before the vehicle assembly date then it is probably all original.

My understanding is that warranty blocks were stamped either S440 or just a 440 without a preceding letter designating the year. This car I’m looking at should also have the HP stamped in that pad location. This one does not. The motor however does have the correct manifold and heads for 73. Likely removed from the original motor and placed on the new short block. Another tid bit. The SPD of the car is 919, Sep 19 1973. Motor stamp date is 2 23.

Truck motors didn't have the vin stamped on them.

I’ve got a later warranty short block that I could look at but the 73 HP block I have has a J440 and the HP on the same line but way over to the right more.

I believe truck motors had a T stamped in front of the 440. I've had a T440 and T400 that were in trucks.

My thinking initially on this motor was that it could have been a mistake at the factory not having the VIN stamp but the upper pad confirms that it is not original to the car, it appears to me.

Now just need to confirm that casting year somehow. I think the owner is going to work on that just for his own knowledge, which is good.

I don't believe a warranty block exists. Warranty short blocks do. If it's a warranty short block it should have the warranty tag over a casting hole. If it was just an over the counter replacement block, all the ones I've seen have no stamping at all. Just my

The over the counters you’ve seen, are they stamped on the upper pad or just blank all over. Upper and lower(VIN area) blank?

There are no numbers stamped anywhere on the blocks I've seen. The one exception that I've personally seen is on an over the counter Hemi block. I have a 1974 cast date NOS block that has the 'WT' stamped on the upper pad.

the "T" is for Trenton, MI the location of the engine assembly plant & I believe started for the 1974 model year - clean that top pad & figure what the casting date is on the engine

a '73 Charger would not be scheduled 9/19/73 - that would be '74 model year production - a block for a 9/19/72 Charger would be #2536430 cast 1972 or earlier

The casting date is on the side of block in raised cast numbers

This is a WP29U3A car with a 914 (my mistake on the day. It is 14 not 19)SPD. No doubt a 73. Original fender tag and broadcast sheet shows this.