Please decode my fender tag

[jefferson]

Please help decode my fender tag.

[jefferson]

https://imgur.com/a/lFhEuFo

[jefferson]

Appears to be upside down. Sorry about that. Just download save to pc and rotate. Much appreciated. Cheerd

[6bblgt]

a/6 = console
b/4 = bucket seats
h/7 = hood turn signals

T/7 = tachometer
Y/6 = vinyl top - BLACK

2/5 = drip trough mouldings
3/0 = belt mouldings
7/8 = wheel lip mouldings

AX/4 = 3.23:1 rear axle ratio (open)

C6B = Charger bucket seat interior - BLUE

QQ1 = "bright blue metallic" monotone paint

U/U = "light blue metallic" Upper Door Frame (UDF) paint
S/_ = "bumblebee" stripe - BLACK

XS29 = Charger R/T
83 = 440HP
5 = automatic transmission
44 = F70-14 "red streak" Goodyear SPEEDWAY
327 = Scheduled Production Date (SPD) - Wednesday 3/27/68
165713 = Shipping Order Number (S.O.#)

XS29L8B33xxxx

no radio 

[jefferson]

Thanks heap dude appreciate it heaps

Man no radio, i have an aftermarket one in the car, but did they really even come out with no radio? lol

The stripes on mine atm are white not black, and no longer has a vinyl roof, Still has all the rest of the things though.

So its fair to say, my charger is just a very base model RT charger lol the cheapest you could find nothing special about her?. Also has good ol drums brakes on her hahaha.

[jefferson]

One thing that confuses me though, is back in the day, people would pay extra for the RT package but would not get other options, disc brakes, cruise control, power windows etc. Or were some of these only avaliable in 69?

what options were avaliable as an add on to the charger RT 68.

i just find it strange how ive got the RT 68 charger with everything standard lol. Seems strange, you go all out to buy an expensive edition of a car but dont choose any features. ?

[BrianShaughnessy]

One thing that confuses me though, is back in the day, people would pay extra for the RT package but would not get other options, disc brakes, cruise control, power windows etc.

Also has good ol drums brakes on her hahaha.

Disk brakes were expensive to work on back in the day...   A lot of voo-doo people shied away from in spite of the benefits.   Same with a lot of extras people now consider almost standard equipment.   They really didn't catch on until GM started standardizing them early/mid 70s.   Some people still think they're great   
Nowadays kids can't figure out how to replace the rear drum brakes 

[jefferson]

Thanks man also another question. I havent.looked at any engine numbers. Stamps. Etc on my engine or whatnot. But how do u know if you engine is actually a 440 as opposed to a 383? How do u know if the seller isnt trying.to pass off a 383 engine as a 440?
Ive got a 440 in my rt. Painted turqoise. Its loud.and seems like it has grunt. All the papers. Vin. Fender match a 440 but how do i know its not a 383 or the 318 ?
Apparently engine colour varied quite a lot so isnt a good indication ive been told.

[jefferson]

https://imgur.com/a/qNbM7ZW

[6bblgt]

a 440 has a specific casting number on the side

there will also be info stamped on this "top pad"

[jefferson]

Thanks mate. I will check tomorrow.

So i guess from that photo u cant tell if its a 318 383 or.440?

[jefferson]

Does the turqouise blue colour of the engine mean anything? Im getting conflicting reports
seems a lot of pics of RT 68 chargers have the same colour engine as mine, but then i see some black, silver and lots of oranges so damn dif i know.
Looked up the official chrysler colour chart and they claim a 440 engine was turqouiose but then the 440 HP engine was orange? Not sure what the difference is between those two 440s lol.

[70 sublime]

383 and 440 have distributor at the front
318 is at the back by firewall

[jefferson]

383 and 440 have distributor at the front
318 is at the back by firewall

any idea what mine is lol?

440 or 383?

[jefferson]

ill check the numbers on the engine tomorrow

but damn id be angry if it was actually a 383 engine and been told a 440
Seeing as according to the dodge charts, both 383 and 440 engines were turquoise in color.

[70 sublime]

ill check the numbers on the engine tomorrow

but damn id be angry if it was actually a 383 engine and been told a 440
Seeing as according to the dodge charts, both 383 and 440 engines were turquoise in color.

Anybody can paint any motor any colour they want
Just because it is turquoise does not mean very much
Could even be a 400 motor

Do not always assume the worst but learn how to check to verify what is there

As for the R/T thing lots of guys back then just wanted to go fast and did not want to be weighted down with a lot of extra stuff could be why your car did not come with a radio

[jefferson]

Thanks once again sublime

I will run all the engine numbers tomorrow. Im quite positive its a 440, but as soon as my mate said how do you know its a 440 and not a smaller engine, i was shocked and said, wow, jees, i dont, hell if i know. COULD be any size.
not sure why he even mentioned that but good point none the less. The vin, the fender and all the documents i have on the car tell me its a 440 7.2l engine but as you said, doesnt stop the prior owner from putting in say a 383 painting it turquoise and trying to palm it off as a 440, because when you type in 68 charger 440 engine most of them come up the same colour as mine. So im at a loss.

[jefferson]

Thanks once again sublime

I will run all the engine numbers tomorrow. Im quite positive its a 440, but as soon as my mate said how do you know its a 440 and not a smaller engine if the seller could have saved a few k buy buying a smaller engine putting it in, painting it and palming it off as a 440 i was shocked and said, wow, jees, i dont, hell if i know. COULD be any size.
not sure why he even mentioned that but good point none the less. The vin, the fender and all the documents i have on the car tell me its a 440 7.2l engine but as you said, doesnt stop the prior owner from putting in say a 383 painting it turquoise and trying to palm it off as a 440, because when you type in 68 charger 440 engine most of them come up the same colour as mine. So im at a loss.

[Homerr]

jefferson, you may want to add your car to the 1968 Charger Registry linked below in my signature even though 6bblgt already decoded it.  It's set up to sort of be like ordering a car and generating the build sheet so it might give you some more insight.


Regarding low options, some owners ordered them to drag race them and power accessories frequently just add weight and/or suck power.

[70 sublime]

Have a look at this web page

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/motor/36.html

There will be more than just the motor size stamped on the pad of the block

[BLK 68 R/T]

Easy to tell if its a 440 or a 383. The 383 will have the engine pad #s down below the distributor on a flat pad and the pad referenced in the picture above will not be present. This is the way most "B" vs "RB" engines are, 383/400 are "B" engines. 440/426 are "RB" engines. There was an early "RB" 383 but probably not relevant in this case as they are not very common.

[jefferson]

Thanks fellas. I looked and found a few numbers on my engine and block
First one Eng number PT361S 24292314
Block cast is 253643010

So the block cast is telling its a 440 . The engine no is sayong a 361 from the trenton plant.

No idea wtf is going on.

[jefferson]

Few photos i got
https://imgur.com/a/yxoJeyK

https://imgur.com/a/Fl3OaoE

https://imgur.com/a/UvGM11S

[BLK 68 R/T]

It's a 440 for sure. D on the pad = 1968

[jefferson]

thanks heaps man

what does all that other engine number BS mean?. All looks like crypted codes to my eyes lmao.

[BLK 68 R/T]

Did you check out the link 70 Sublime posted? Should tell you about everything you want to know.

[jefferson]

thanks heaps man

what does all that other engine number BS mean?. All looks like crypted codes to my eyes lmao.

sure did mate thats why im confused, because the engine serial number has PT361S at the start but the other number stats its a 440.

Shouldnt my engine number state PT440 ?


youve told me its deffs a 440, but the engine number reads 361 where as the block cast decodes to a 440.

lol.

[BLK 68 R/T]

Probably a Monday or Friday build and the stamp person just picked the wrong ones. Does it have any #s stamped by the oil sending unit next to where the bel housing mounts?

[jefferson]

Not that me and the mechanic could see mate
All the other numbers are the ones I've uploaded
Here is a full pic right now of the whole engine bay

[jefferson]

https://imgur.com/a/hJHM3op


Not that it means much i guess lol

[6bblgt]

one of the strangest things I've seen - must've been bored to death in the engine shop that day 

top pad:
D 440
3 23 HP

D = 1968 model year
440 = cu.in.
3 23 = 3/23/68 final assembly date - SATURDAY
HP = hi-performance

bottom stamping:
PT361S 24292314
PT = Trenton, MI engine assembly plant
361 = cu.in. * has got to be a JOKE, 361 is a "B" engine block, 440 is a RB engine block, were they even making 361s in '68?
S = special (typical for 440HP engines)
2429 = short block assembly date 3/22/68 - FRIDAY
2314 = unit sequence number

there should be a partial VIN stamping on the back of the block near the oil pressure sending unit

[jefferson]

one of the strangest things I've seen - must've been bored to death in the engine shop that day 

top pad:
D 440
3 23 HP

D = 1968 model year
440 = cu.in.
3 23 = 3/23/68 final assembly date - SATURDAY
HP = hi-performance

bottom stamping:
PT361S 24292314
PT = Trenton, MI engine assembly plant
361 = cu.in. * has got to be a JOKE, 361 is a "B" engine block, 440 is a RB engine block, were they even making 361s in '68?
S = special (typical for 440HP engines)
2429 = short block assembly date 3/22/68 - FRIDAY
2314 = unit sequence number

there should be a partial VIN stamping on the back of the block near the oil pressure sending unit

yea i know man, confused me too, never ever seen or heard or even known of any dodge chargers to have a 361 engine, im sure they were around in other cars but seems strange for a charger to have a 361 in it, just doesnt sound right lol .

ill recheck again tomorrow for the vin stamping on the back of the block near the oil prssure sending unit, didnt really see anything though that looked like a vin, but ill double check

im at a loss, all my documents on the car indicate its a 440, reciepts and paperwork. The pad says its a 440 but the engine number indicates its a 361, im sure mistakes like this happen but who knows 

any other suggestions? I know this isnt by all means an indication but she sure is loud and has grunt when i start her up and give her a good flooring hahahahah.

[jefferson]

Could it be more than likely that the engine number is just a printing mistake? 

[jefferson]

what would the  partial VIN stamping on the back of the block near the oil pressure sending unit indicate anyways fellas?

ive go 2 out of 3 photos here of my charger telling me its a 440 lol and the engine number teling me its a 361. Damn if i know anymore.

[70 sublime]

what would the  partial VIN stamping on the back of the block near the oil pressure sending unit indicate anyways fellas?

ive go 2 out of 3 photos here of my charger telling me its a 440 lol and the engine number teling me its a 361. Damn if i know anymore.

If you can find the number stamped on the back of the motor by the oil pressure gauge it should be the same as the last part of the VIN on the dash at the windshield if it is the original motor the car was born with

[maxwellwedge]

Check the casting numbers on the side of the block.

As for the top pad......On a B-series engine (361/383 etc), it should be on the passenger-side next to the distributor on top of the block while tall-deck RB (413, 426, and 440 wedge) engines have a similar pad on the driver's side of the engine at the top and front of the block.

[jefferson]

what would the  partial VIN stamping on the back of the block near the oil pressure sending unit indicate anyways fellas?

ive go 2 out of 3 photos here of my charger telling me its a 440 lol and the engine number teling me its a 361. Damn if i know anymore.

If you can find the number stamped on the back of the motor by the oil pressure gauge it should be the same as the last part of the VIN on the dash at the windshield if it is the original motor the car was born with

Hey sub. It is not the original engine. I know that for a fact. Its not a numbers matching charger 。

[jefferson]

Check the casting numbers on the side of the block.

As for the top pad......On a B-series engine (361/383 etc), it should be on the passenger-side next to the distributor on top of the block while tall-deck RB (those desirable 413, 426, and 440 wedge) engines have a similar pad on the driver's side of the engine at the top and front of the block.

I thought i posted the casting number? Check the imgur links i posted. Im confused now lol

[jefferson]

Check the casting numbers on the side of the block.

As for the top pad......On a B-series engine (361/383 etc), it should be on the passenger-side next to the distributor on top of the block while tall-deck RB (those desirable 413, 426, and 440 wedge) engines have a similar pad on the driver's side of the engine at the top and front of the block.

Block cast is 253643010

[jefferson]

I just don't understand how the.engine number claims 361 and the cast and other part indicates 440. How the hell does that work ? Something wierd going on.

[maxwellwedge]

Check the casting numbers on the side of the block.

As for the top pad......On a B-series engine (361/383 etc), it should be on the passenger-side next to the distributor on top of the block while tall-deck RB (those desirable 413, 426, and 440 wedge) engines have a similar pad on the driver's side of the engine at the top and front of the block.

Block cast is 253643010

You are good. That is a 440 casting number. The bottom stamping was a factory boo-boo. It happens. I had a Hemi that was stamped MN626 on the bottom. As far as I know, Chrysler never made a 626 Hemi - Lol.

[hemigeno]

Few photos i got
https://imgur.com/a/yxoJeyK

https://imgur.com/a/Fl3OaoE

https://imgur.com/a/UvGM11S

Here are the pictures from the links above (easier to see what's happening):

[Homerr]

Looks like the Fri/Sat engine shop guys were high AF.

[70 sublime]

What is the B turned on its side above the 440 mean ??

Looks like smaller size lettering than every thing else

[hemigeno]

What is the B turned on its side above the 440 mean ??

Looks like smaller size lettering than every thing else

Took me a while to find any reference to that apart from GG's white books.  I don't have a '68 Parts Book to confirm that it's the same for D-Series engines, but that's likely the case.  "B" stamps are also referenced in the 1969 Technical Service Bulletins, but that reference implied a "B" was used only on 273 & 318 engines.  The Parts Manual does not make such a distinction.  I have found nothing else to dispute what GG and the '69 Parts Books say.

[jefferson]

Hemigeno mate
Do you believe my engine is at least a 440 and can agree its a printing error on the engine no? Lol

[jefferson]

What is the B turned on its side above the 440 mean ??

Looks like smaller size lettering than every thing else

Took me a while to find any reference to that apart from GG's white books.  I don't have a '68 Parts Book to confirm that it's the same for D-Series engines, but that's likely the case.  "B" stamps are also referenced in the 1969 Technical Service Bulletins, but that reference implied a "B" was used only on 273 & 318 engines.  The Parts Manual does not make such a distinction.  I have found nothing else to dispute what GG and the '69 Parts Books say.

So now that B could state its a 273 or 318 engine?

Strange charger ive bought. Lmao. I love her and she isnt going anywhere ever but shes strange.

[hemigeno]

Hemigeno mate
Do you believe my engine is at least a 440 and can agree its a printing error on the engine no? Lol

Yes, I absolutely agree with everyone that it's a 440 with a stamping error on the pan rail.  The "B" doesn't mean anything unless your engine is really low-mileage and has never been rebuilt, but you still wanted to order new bearings.

The '69 TSB information about "B" stamping being used on only 273 & 318's was mentioned - not because I believe it to be true and applicable to your engine, but because I found it at odds with my own observations.  I've seen other 440 engines with a "B" stamping, but did not recall off the top of my head what that designator meant... so I went looking in my reference materials and found the same basic meaning but with different engine applications depending on which reference was used.  I found it interesting, but didn't mean to imply your engine is not legit.  It is.

For what it's worth, I did manage to find the corresponding 1968 TSB page... and it has the same instruction for "B" which appears pretty much the same in my '69 book.  Document credit for the '68 stuff goes to Hamtramck-Historical.com...  

[jefferson]

Thanks hemigeno