Have a question about a "matching numbers" block

[69chargerboy]

I have a 1969 Charger that did not come with a drive train. While decoding the Vin and Fender tag;  shows to be a 383 2bbl. Is it possible to find a "matching numbers" block to my car? And if so what would I have to look for? Thanks.

[JimShine]

The drivetrains were stamped with the cars VIN number. In order to be numbers matching you need to find the actual drivetrain that went to your car.

[69chargerboy]

The drivetrains were stamped with the cars VIN number. In order to be numbers matching you need to find the actual drivetrain that went to your car.

Wow, Like a needle in a hay stack! Never mind. I guess I'll try to buy a 383 block for that year.....  Thanks

[PocketThunder]

If its not the original engine, then the diehard purists aren't gonna care whats in the car for an engine since the original block is long gone.  Might as well build up a 440 for it since its costs the same to build either engine.... 

But this is just a thought.  I was gonna do the same for my 69, the original 440 was long gone and i wanted to find a build date correct block, but someone mentioned the above to me and it made sense, so any 440 will work for me.

[69chargerboy]

If its not the original engine, then the diehard purists aren't gonna care whats in the car for an engine since the original block is long gone.  Might as well build up a 440 for it since its costs the same to build either engine.... 

But this is just a thought.  I was gonna do the same for my 69, the original 440 was long gone and i wanted to find a build date correct block, but someone mentioned the above to me and it made sense, so any 440 will work for me.

That makes sense. I aready have a built 440HP ready to go. I'll keep that. Thanks.

[TylerCharger69]

I knew of a guy that lived in Blythe, California.   He bought a 68 Coronet  from  probably the 5th owner of the car.   The original 383  was taken out of the car  at about the second owner.   He bought the car with a 318 in it.   The VIN decoded a 383 4 bbl.   We went junkyard shopping in Riverside, and found a 383.   To our surprise,  the engine  was the exact engine that originally came out of that Coronet......So...nothing is impossible!!!!

[BigBlockSam]

440's the way to go. thats a tough motor. rene

[69chargerboy]

I knew of a guy that lived in Blythe, California.   He bought a 68 Coronet  from  probably the 5th owner of the car.   The original 383  was taken out of the car  at about the second owner.   He bought the car with a 318 in it.   The VIN decoded a 383 4 bbl.   We went junkyard shopping in Riverside, and found a 383.   To our surprise,  the engine  was the exact engine that originally came out of that Coronet......So...nothing is impossible!!!!

Wow, that is amazing! I don't think that could happen to me. My Charger is originally came from Alabama, I'm in Ohio.  The likely hood is slim to none. But, I am the kind of person who sees the glass half full. There may be a one in a 10 million chance I could find it. I think I would rather play the lottery :-)

[TylerCharger69]

Yeah..we were surprised!!   We weren't looking for it.  We were looking at the casting numbers, etc. to make sure it was proper for a 68 Coronet.   We tore it down...had a spun bearing,  and....had been sitting for a while.  We got it back from the machine shop...a nice clean block,  and it was like..."Hey....what's the vin number on the car?"....He told me what it was and I said  "Look at this!!"....The odds of that happening are a million to one.   We then thought..."Maybe  they have the tranny too"  Well....there was no such luck there, but it was worth the try....Ya just never know  what you'll find in the Arizona/California desert.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I have a 1969 Charger that did not come with a drive train. While decoding the Vin and Fender tag;  shows to be a 383 2bbl. Is it possible to find a "matching numbers" block to my car? And if so what would I have to look for? Thanks.

I have a couple of 383 engine VIN #'s in the registry.....I could try and match to yours

Have you registered your Chargers yet?

[TylerCharger69]

Oh  yeah  mine's registered...my car is a numbers matching car...not that it matters to me...but it matches....(unless the rear end changes that)  other than that......they match

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

Mine is similar, but opposite way around.  I have the block to my fathers 1970 Cuda.  I was able to get the vin number from the block... BS23ROB25.... and hunted and visiting and went crazy trying to find the body that went with the block.  5 years go by, and I get an email from a guy saying

Guy says, "I owned this car from 74-81."

I said, "cool, do you know who owns it now?"

Guy says, "Yeah, gave it to my cousin, he still has it."

My heart was racing at this time.  Now the cousin and I are friends and keep in contact.  He won't sell, I won't sell.  We are at a stalemate right now.  So you never know what you might find.  Go back, see where it went missing.  And try to find it, you never know.

Ryan

[69chargerboy]

I have a 1969 Charger that did not come with a drive train. While decoding the Vin and Fender tag;  shows to be a 383 2bbl. Is it possible to find a "matching numbers" block to my car? And if so what would I have to look for? Thanks.

I have a couple of 383 engine VIN #'s in the registry.....I could try and match to yours

Have you registered your Chargers yet?

Yes I have registered. Let me know if you need any info from me. Thanks.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

If you have then I already checked.....sorry dude.  When VIN #'s (broadcast sheets, engine blocks etc) come up I always cross refrence them with what I have in the registry.