Were any of the Charger 500 440HP engines originally "blue"?

[xs29j8Bullitt]

Just a thought on this thread.  If the date/assy codes match what you are looking for and the block in question meets your particular parameters, what difference does it really make whether it was painted blue or orange 41 years ago?  You're going to tank it, machine it, assemble it and finally paint it.  At that point how could it really matter?  I get how everyone wants to be correct, and yes I am anal on my cars too, but at what point is enough enough? 

Actually I am not that anal about it, and certainly do not care what color the engine was painted 41 years ago.  This post was more of a curiosity after a long held belief that ALL 1969 440 HP engines were orange was challenged by the seller.  When I then came across the picture showing t/blue on the 238099 engine block, I was more than a bit surprised... and wanted to know whether it was possible.  Still doubt it though...

The two biggest problems with the engine with a good date code is the sloppy way the "HP" was added with too large font & struck unevenly, plus the high asking price of $1500 combined with a long distance requiring a road trip or shipping.  In fact, if the "HP" had been properly done, the engine would be on its way to my C500 now.

My original plan was to go with a 1969 440HP engine without regard to assembly date, but I have received "advice" from several people to get the correct date code.  Since the assembly date stamping is easily seen by anyone walking up to the car, I am making the effort to get the date code close to the example of 238099...

This search is getting old... I just started a Craigslist "WTB" Ad:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/wan/2027124144.html

We will see if it gets results...

[Cooter]

I have a 1974 "HP" Block and it's stamped unevenly as well as a 1970 "HP" engine that is stamped the same way....I've seen even and uneven stampings....

[learical1]

FYI
November 26, 1968 was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  Knowing the UAW and their contracts back then, what will you bet that the engine plant was closed 11/28-12/1, reopening on 12/2?

[xs29j8Bullitt]

FYI
November 26, 1968 was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  Knowing the UAW and their contracts back then, what will you bet that the engine plant was closed 11/28-12/1, reopening on 12/2?

Good point Bruce... Of course the C500 was not necessarily made on the SPD, I have heard of cars made as much as two weeks after the SPD.  But with the 11/26 build date for 238099, my C500 238071 engine assy date was probably on or before 11/26...

[pettybird]

There's an original owner, original paint, original drivetrain '70 Challenger R/T in town here, and the motor was definitely painted blue under the orange paint.  Jim Angelucci, father of Joe (the guy whose house burnt with the parts in it)

I don't like the HP stamp either, but weird things do happen..."all" is a word you can't used much with Ma. 

[nascarxx29]

Double engine paint a random worker mistake???

[maxwellwedge]

From Barry's site - Just for fun