1973 Lynch Road Charger Richard Petty Engine?

[Rleo]

So here's the story I own a resto shop, we mostly do fords but on Monday I bought my first mopar. It was my fathers neighbors car and they have had it since new. The tale they told me was in 1983 they rebuilt the motor (have receipts) but when they ordered all of the parts (cam, rod bearings, lifters ect) for the standard 400 it was all wrong. They ended up having to send the build sheet and cam to dodge and what they got back was "this motor was only to be sent to Richard Petty or Pete Hamilton, it was a late model year so they were putting what ever engine they could in the car and getting rid of it" I have no clue if this is real or not but insight would be nice! Here's some pictures

[Rleo]

[69CoronetRT]

Looks like the car is in pretty good shape and can be saved. Good luck. We need more of them on the road and at shows.

The fender tag indicates a typical drive line install: 052 980054.

Is there a VIN number stamped on a pad above the passenger's side pan rail? You may find 3A160653.

A scheduled production date of December 20th (C20) would be late in the calendar year but in the middle of the production year.

Why would an engine specifically designated for one of two people even be on the production floor when inventory of 'standard' engines would be plentiful? Who would be bonehead enough to let an engine specifically assembled in one part of the facility even let it out the door to be fitted with A/C brackets, carb, etc. ? Who lost a job over that move? Was NASCAR, or any other racing body, even running a 400 CID engine assembly for '74?

I think this is a good story but doesn't pass the logic test and is hard to verify.

[Ghoste]

Escpecially since Petty built their own engines in house.  It's a nice story but its just that, a story.

[Rleo]

From what I can tell it's got a Dana rear in it also, front disk, rear 10' drum and yes it's numbers matching, the pan number and the trans stamp match the vin. It has a super aggressive cam profile, if I can get a video of it running I'll post it. I have 43 years of service records that say the cars all original, it's a solid car. Should be Forsale shortly after j figure what it needs. Is there a market for these late body chargers?

[RallyeMike]

Unfortunately, the market for most 73-74 Chargers is not very strong.

[6bblgt]

The tale they told me was in 1983 they rebuilt the motor (have receipts) but when they ordered all of the parts (cam, rod bearings, lifters ect) for the standard 400 it was all wrong. They ended up having to send the build sheet and cam to dodge and what they got back was "this motor was only to be sent to Richard Petty or Pete Hamilton, it was a late model year so they were putting what ever engine they could in the car and getting rid of it"

sent what "build sheet" and do you have it,? & sent what "cam" and do you have it?

sounds like the cam in the rebuilt engine was purchased from Petty Enterprises ..... & isn't "stock"

I have 43 years of service records that say the cars all original

You have the records: what components & part numbers were used in the '83 rebuild?  & if the car is "all original" how can the engine be rebuilt?  it appears repainted & NOT the original color 

[Ghoste]

If it has a Dana, that would also be something that was added after the fact.  Still good looking car though.

[polywideblock]

probably a 9 1/4        

  here's a quick reference     

[Rleo]

sent what "build sheet" and do you have it,? & sent what "cam" and do you have it?

sounds like the cam in the rebuilt engine was purchased from Petty Enterprises ..... & isn't "stock



You have the records: what components & part numbers were used in the '83 rebuild?  & if the car is "all original" how can the engine be rebuilt?  it appears repainted & NOT the original color 


[/quote]


I'm telling you what they told me, the build sheet and cam were never returned to them. And when I said all original I ment the engine and transmission are numbers matching to the car. The car was spray painted white by their son when he started driving it on his 16th birthday lol