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383 id question #2855059
12/04/20 12:59 AM
12/04/20 12:59 AM
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kenk Offline OP
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Hi all --new member--thanks. My question is I have a 1970 challenger. The id boss by the distributor say E383 -- 3 27---hp. I understand that this is a 69 engine. Here is what is confusing me--on the id boss it has the proper serial number to match build sheet, but looks as though it has been restamped---and my buddies agree with that. But the id pad down by the starter should have a serail number also---but the only mark on that pad is the letter A. No other letters or numbers---Do I have a replacement block. Also build date of car was 10 1969. Thanks for any info or help.

Last edited by kenk; 12/04/20 01:10 AM. Reason: mistake
Re: 383 id question [Re: kenk] #2855062
12/04/20 01:30 AM
12/04/20 01:30 AM
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correct, according to the top pad it is a 1969 model year 383HP assembled on 3/27/69

Originally Posted by kenk
..... Here is what is confusing me--on the id boss it has the proper serial number to match build sheet, but looks as though it has been restamped---and my buddies agree with that. But the id pad down by the starter should have a serail number also---but the only mark on that pad is the letter A. No other letters or numbers--- .....


not sure what ID boss you are referring to & it is matching what on the broadcast sheet?

there is a machined pad on the passenger side, just above the oil pan - the last 8-digits of the VIN should be stamped here




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Re: 383 id question [Re: 6bblgt] #2855063
12/04/20 01:39 AM
12/04/20 01:39 AM
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Yes, the pad on the right side of the block is stamped with a partial of the vin number, but we think it was restamped as it is just too nice, and there are no milling marks to be seen. The spacing and size of the stamping is not the same as on the transmission. But---there is also a pad on the block under the starter that is supposed to have id numbers including the julian calender date--the pad is blank except for the letter A. That is why I am wondering if it was a replacement block?

Re: 383 id question [Re: kenk] #2855064
12/04/20 02:02 AM
12/04/20 02:02 AM
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Not sure what your question is. If the block was restamped then there isn't anything you can do about it. A 1970 model year car would not have gotten a '69 engine as a replacement and the factory would not have used a '69 engine in a '70 model car with the '70 VIN stamped on it. What you have doesn't make any sense. Could be some sort of factory screw up or it could be some sort of amateur attempt at forgery.

What is the casting date on the block? It should be some time before the build date on the ID pad. If the casting date is before the build date then it is most likely a 1969 engine that someone swapped into your 1970 car. They might have forged the VIN on the engine to make it numbers matching without understanding what the ID pad numbers mean. In any case, it most likely isn't anything that the factory did.

Last edited by AndyF; 12/04/20 02:11 AM.
Re: 383 id question [Re: AndyF] #2855066
12/04/20 02:25 AM
12/04/20 02:25 AM
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Yes Andy, I agree with everything you said---My question is why there is no stamping except the letter "A" on the pad below the starter? There are supposed to be numbers to help id an engine there also. And they may have just missed stamping it at the factory---but the letter "A" is there----so??????????????

Re: 383 id question [Re: kenk] #2855073
12/04/20 02:40 AM
12/04/20 02:40 AM
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Originally Posted by kenk
Yes, the pad on the right side of the block is stamped with a partial of the vin number, but we think it was restamped as it is just too nice, and there are no milling marks to be seen. The spacing and size of the stamping is not the same as on the transmission. But---there is also a pad on the block under the starter that is supposed to have id numbers including the julian calender date--the pad is blank except for the letter A. That is why I am wondering if it was a replacement block?


1968 is the last year for the "PT" numbers on a 383 on the lower starter rail ("A" is probably just an assembly mark)

Re: 383 id question [Re: kenk] #2855192
12/04/20 12:22 PM
12/04/20 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by kenk
Yes Andy, I agree with everything you said---My question is why there is no stamping except the letter "A" on the pad below the starter? There are supposed to be numbers to help id an engine there also. And they may have just missed stamping it at the factory---but the letter "A" is there----so??????????????


Not in 1969 or newer. So I don't see any issue with your block other than the fact that someone might have restamped the VIN pad. But it makes no sense for someone to stamp a 1970 VIN on a 1969 engine so I really have no explanation for your engine. It is a mistake by someone. Either a very weird factory mistake or a clueless owner who thought he was creating a numbers matching block.

Re: 383 id question [Re: kenk] #2855226
12/04/20 01:39 PM
12/04/20 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by kenk
My question is why there is no stamping except the letter "A" on the pad below the starter?


Not all pan rails had the engine number stamped, from my observation, most don't. The stamped "A" is the piston size for the adjacent bore.

Some VIN pads shows distinct milling marks, others don't; depends on how sharp/dull the cutter was.


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