How to Spot a fake

[MRCHARGER]

Part 1: On the 68's, besides the fender tag, and broadcast sheet are there any other obvious ways to tell if a car was a real R/T or not. I know you have to check the leaf springs, torsion bars and dual exhaust hangers but if there is no engine or trans, no fender tag and just the dash VIN tag (which says XS29L8...) are there any other things I might have missed. It has a 22" radiator opening but I thought that was standard on a non-ac car. The 26" was Hemi and AC equipped R/T's right?

Part 2: Is there any way to search the VIN tags corresponding build number?

I'd just like to know if this car is a donor and the dash/title is from an R/T or if it's the real thing. Appreciate any info!

[Dans 68]

Welcome to the site, MRCHARGER.

Yes, the 22" radiator was standard on non A/C 440 R/T's. And as you say the 26" were for Hemi's and A/C 440's. As far as the other non-obvious features of a R/T I think you have it covered. Are the vin rosetta rivets original? Doesn't mean the dash pad was not changed out, of course. Check to see if the radiator support stamping is the same as the trunk lip...this can tell you if the car has remained intact and can give you a sense of its history. Also the stamped number would match the missing fender tag S.O. number.

Other members should chime in presently with better information. All things being equal, if the car has the XS vin, the proper number of leaf springs, and the larger torsion rods it most likely is an R/T. But with the engine, transmission and fender tag missing, and no documentation available from Chrysler (records burned up in a fire a long time ago) it really doesn't matter. Get an engine and transmission and get the R/T on the road.  

And as I mentioned above there are no Chrysler records available to search for any information on the car.

Dan

[6bblgt]

I agree ...... '68s are a tough year, without an original tag, b'cast sheet or window sticker, body swaps become relatively difficult to identify.    Does the assembly plant match on both the body stampings (1st digit) and VIN tag (7th digit)?  The only other thing I could think of is the dates on dated components that appear to be from the original body VS. the date when that specific VIN# would've been built.

[Finn]

The body stampings are found on the trunk opening lip and the top of the radiator support btw.

[Sinister68]

Any '68 Charger with A/C, R/T or not, will have the 26" radiator.

[bullit68]

look on the rear tail panel and see if there are holes drilled for the rt emblem.or if you can see the "standard"charger emblem holes welded or bondo'd over.

[69CoronetRT]

Welcome to the site, MRCHARGER.

Yes, the 22" radiator was standard on non A/C 440 R/T's. And as you say the 26" were for Hemi's and A/C 440's. As far as the other non-obvious features of a R/T I think you have it covered. Are the vin rosetta rivets original? Doesn't mean the dash pad was not changed out, of course. Check to see if the radiator support stamping is the same as the trunk lip...this can tell you if the car has remained intact and can give you a sense of its history. Also the stamped number would match the missing fender tag S.O. number.

Other members should chime in presently with better information. All things being equal, if the car has the XS vin, the proper number of leaf springs, and the larger torsion rods it most likely is an R/T. But with the engine, transmission and fender tag missing, and no documentation available from Chrysler (records burned up in a fire a long time ago) it really doesn't matter. Get an engine and transmission and get the R/T on the road.  

Dan, I'm too tired and lazy to look it up but would a 68 R/T have the larger fuel line and a return line from a vapor separator?

[Dans 68]

Hmm, I'm a bit jaded and faded also tonight, but I believe you are right. A few more details to identify an R/T. I know that the fuel tank sending unit pickup tubes were 5/16" dia on the 318 and 383's, while the 440's and Hemi's used a 3/8" diameter. The vapor separator used on the 440's in '68 and '69 is part number 3004107 (the 383's used part number 2495528 in 1968).

Dan

[Magnumcharger]

Don't forget that all R/Ts also have dual exhaust, therefore there should be the additional bolt-on muffler hanger bracket on the left side.

Yes, 383 fourbarrel cars had this as well.

[aussiemuscle]

i think if you're buying a charger with no drivetrain it won't matter in the slightest whether it's an R/T or not? i'd buy it assuming it wasn't and bid approprately.

[OldGuy]

Does it still have the rearend in it?  Most were Dana 60's in the R/T's.

[472 R/T SE]

If it was an original 4 gear then Dana 60's were in the R/T's.

FYP

[hemigeno]

Dan, I'm too tired and lazy to look it up but would a 68 R/T have the larger fuel line and a return line from a vapor separator?

Doug,

68-9 440 B-bodies got the 5/16" fuel line even though (as Dan pointed out) they got the larger-diameter 3/8" fuel tank sending unit.  Weird & somewhat counter-intuitive, I know.  Both 440's and Hemi's got the 1/4" return line, but only Hemicars got the 3/8" fuel line from the tank to the separator.

[69CoronetRT]

Thanks. 

[Khyron]

I spot a fake when she makes a wierd noise then says she has to leav...... wait, what are we talkking about?

[BB1]

Mr Charger, what car are you referring. With only 2 post we'd like to know more about your project.

[motorcitydak]

Wouldn't an R/T car have torque boxes too? That is a dead give away there

BTW, I have a '68 440 bare block .060 that is begging to have a 512 kit

[maxwellwedge]

Wouldn't an R/T car have torque boxes too? That is a dead give away there

BTW, I have a '68 440 bare block .060 that is begging to have a 512 kit

Our buddies at the plant missed putting some/all torque boxes on quite a few Hemi cars.

[MRCHARGER]

Torque boxes were used on convertables and hemi cars. i never had them on my 440 cars that i remember.