Rebuilding my 73 charger

[texas charger 73]

I am rebuilding my 73 charger I owned when I was 21 and had to sale. I recently got it back and I'm wondering where I can find info for correct badging and stripes and everything. I'm thinking mine is a base model because it has column shift and bench seat.  Plain gauges. Nothing fancy. Any help appreciated.

[texas charger 73]

Can I search by vin or the fender tag to determine model it is and paint color, rearend,gears,etc. if so where can I search these things at? Thank you.

[tsmithae]

Vin tells you model/trim, engine, year, location it was built, and then the sequential number.  The fender tag will tell you a lot more and best case scenario is a broadcast sheet.  If you post pictures of whatever you have we can help you out with that. 

[texas charger 73]

Vin is WH23G3G111961

I got a pic of fender tag, but I can't figure out how to resize it on my phone so it will let me post.

[TruckDriver]

this is your VIN. If you got a photobucket, imgur, or Imageshack account, just host the photo from your camera from one of those sites. It is free.

[texas charger 73]

So it looks like I have the cheap bottom of the line charger. That blows. Thanks. Gonna try to upload fender tag in a new post cause this one keeps giving me crap.

[ODZKing]

Send the pic to me, I'll resize it and post.
I decoded my 73, shouldn't be too much problem.

[texas charger 73]

Odzking got email? It want let me private message pic from phone. Thanks

[Nacho-RT74]

So it looks like I have the cheap bottom of the line charger. That blows. Thanks. Gonna try to upload fender tag in a new post cause this one keeps giving me crap.

Nop, there is another step down on the line ... should be WL21 on VIN. Your one is average

[texas charger 73]

Well I got it decoded. Thanks guys. On plus side it came with the 230 hp 318 instead of the 150 or 170 hp one. Now I need to figure out what rear end and what heard I have. And gonna need to eventually swap out that crappy 904 for a 727.  Not sure tag is still on rear end. Was hoping fender tag told me.

[ODZKing]

So I am guessing it is not the original engine.
Fender tag 318 would be E44 in 73. There was only one, the lower horsepower one.
With a 318, you most likely have a D51 or D52. 2.71 or 2.94.

[texas charger 73]

Srnt you tag, but it is e44 and mymopar.com said it had the higher hp unless I read wrong. It is orinial motor. I checked numbers. It's been rebuilt and I our a big cam in it. Not even sure of hp now

[texas charger 73]

I also emailed you the info I found. I might have mis read it. So is that just 8 3/4 tear end? Definitely gonna need lower gears. Never set any before. Hopefully not too hard.

[ODZKing]

Yeah, I think you are reading the HP table incorrectly.
See: http://www.allpar.com/mopar/318.html
Only one in 73 150-170 HP 2 bbl.
Now, with a cam, thats another story.
I have a friend with a 318 with a cam and 4bbl intake.  He can keep up with my stock 383. And don't forget, it's lighter.

[texas charger 73]

I believe so too.  I have an edlebrock performer 4 barrel intake with a 650 CFM manual choke edlebrock carb. Can is 292 duration.  .501 lift. But with them 2.94 gears not doing it justice and not to mention the crappy 904 tranny.

[ODZKing]

Yeah, the top is correct, below where it says 230 ... that is wrong.
What you sent looks tobe correct otherwise.  9/8/72  Early production!!!!

[texas charger 73]

Decent car or not worth dumping tons money into? This was my first car I purchased when I was 21, had to sale it and recently found it and bought it back.  Plans to rebuild and hand to my son in 10 years when he is driving.

[tsmithae]

E44   318-2 Barrel
D34   904 Automatic Transmission
WH23   
W = Dodge Coronet / Charger
H = High
23 = 2 Door Hardtop
G3G   
G = 318 150HP(net) or 170HP(net) 1-2BBL 8 CYL
3 = 1973
G = St. Louis, MO, USA
111961   Sequence Number '111961'
JY3   
Paint Code: Light Gold
C2Y4   
Trim Grade/Style/Color
C = Charger
2 = Vinyl Bench
Y4 = Gold
JY6   Upper Door Frame: Gold Metallic
908   Date Built: 9 / 08 / 1972
123754   Order Number: 123754
V1Y   Roof Type OR Color:  Full Vinyl Roof Yellow
U   Built to Specifications for USA Order
B41   Front Disc Brakes Some Yrs. Power
G11   Tinted Glass All
G35   Delete Standard Outside Mirror
H51   Single Air /w Heater
J25   3 Speed Variable Wipers
J52   Inside Hood Release
L31   Hood / Fender Mount Turn Signal
M21   Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M25   Wide Sill Molding
M26   Wheel Lip Molding
M31   Belt & Hood Molding
R11   Music Master Radio AM
V5X   Black - Mouldings - Protective Insert Body Side
26   26 in. Radiator
END   End of Codes

[texas charger 73]

Thanks everyone. Y'all are awesome.

[Nacho-RT74]

and not to mention the crappy 904 tranny.

why crappy? its the same gears ratio than a 727 but lighter rotation weight/mass, so with the correct HP/Torque rate, will be a BB/727 beater anytime

rear axle yes can be a "problem" but just on a quick throttle response, otherwise you'll have higher top speed

nothing is completelly wrong or good, everything is just to meet what you want to get

[texas charger 73]

This. 904 I had to rebuild 3 times cause it wouldn't hold up to motor. Kept tearing up bands. I think a 373 gear be good. I want a cruiser that I can turn heads with and occasionally show up young punks. Lol

[ODZKing]

I have several Mopar mechanic friends, one of which does all the work on my cars.  He has told me in the past that a 904 is basically a 6 cylinder engine and can't handle anything more than a 318.  Even a 340 would require a 727.
In other words, not built to be beat-on.
More info below

[texas charger 73]

That means I'm for sure gonna have to find a 727. Now the question. Will it bolt right up or will I need a new driveshaft and transmission mount, shift linkage,etc

[RallyeMike]

That's why they used to call the 904 the Torquelfight 6 (6-cylinder) and 727 the Torqueflight 8 (8-cyylinder). However- built properly the 904 can last a long time behind a small block driven normally or in a lighter weight car.

[texas charger 73]

Looks like a swap in my future .  I need something to hold up. Now to just figure out what all I need for the swap. Mine is column shift, not sure if it matters , but I know a lot of chargers were floor shift

[Nacho-RT74]

actually even is true is not that hard than a 727, isn't soooo bad to hold a midly spiced SB, but also will depend on how is built and its internal components. Down here in Vzla ( and I bet also Brazil ) 904s are built for midly spiced 318s 4bbls and is hard to find someone getting broken a tranny. As far case is healthy and internals are good quality, will hold.

note, of course 904 was initially designed for /6s, thats why they were initially called Torque 6 trannies, and 727 were called Torque 8, for V8s applications... untill around 1963-1964 with the aluminium case born, 904s were used for SB V8s too.

For the swap... as far I know just get shortened the driveshaft  couple of inches maybe ( and propper TC ) and you will be done