Matching Numbers?

[cairopd1069]

How do you tell if the engine in your car is the original engine? I hear so much about "matching numbers", but never knew how to check. I found the fender tag and the VIN plate on my 66 Coronet 440 2dr. Where would the number be on my 318 Poly? Should the number on the block be on the VIN or fender tag?

 

[modernistsouth]

The number on the block will match the VIN

http://www.lhmopars.com/vin66-74.htm

 

[cairopd1069]

How many numbers should be on the block? So, the last six on the VIN should match 6 numbers on the block? Thanks for the quick response. According to the decoder link you posted, mine should have a 318 LA, is this the same as a 318 Poly?

 

[modernistsouth]

No. Poly is for polyspherical combustion chamber. LA is wedge-shaped.

 

[cairopd1069]

The PO said is was a 318 Poly, but the VIN says LA. Is there an exact way to tell the difference in a Poly and an LA? Thanks for the help. Mine has the "scallops" on the valve covers, if that makes a difference.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

Here’s a post by a 69 Runner a great FBBO member...Matching Numbers defined

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?10596-Matching-Numbers-defined

http://www.iccahome.org/


http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=46

 

[cairopd1069]

Okay, it appears the Poly had bolts going down through the valve covers, mine has bolts around the edge, so I guess mine is a LA. Thanks for all the help, now to see if the numbers match.

 

[modernistsouth]

Here's an article that explains the difference between an LA and Poly:

http://www.streetlegaltv.com/tech-s...-318-polysphere-and-how-come-nobody-likes-it/

 

[TX67RT]

Chrysler didn't start putting the full or partial VIN on engines or transmissions until 1968. As close as you can get to "matching numbers" on a pre-68 engine is to read and confirm that the individual component casting or assembly dates are before the data plate build date.

Cheers,

JD

 

[Hemi Rebel]

And, the la 318 didn't come out til 1967 so if you have an la 318 its not original. How bout a picture of the motor

 

[modernistsouth]

And, the la 318 didn't come out til 1967 so if you have an la 318 its not original. How bout a picture of the motor

He said his VIN signifies LA 318. Since they were producing A's, did they continue to use the same VIN code for LA's after they moved on from the A's? Or is that lhmopars.com site wrong? They give a code E for the LA 318 for 1966, but that must actually be A 318?

 

[Hemi Rebel]

He said his VIN signifies LA 318. Since they were producing A's, did they continue to use the same VIN code for LA's after they moved on from the A's? Or is that lhmopars.com site wrong? They give a code E for the LA 318 for 1966, but that must actually be A 318?

E is an A engine for 1966. This shouldn't be that hard.

 

[cairopd1069]

 

[modernistsouth]

E is an A engine for 1966. This shouldn't be that hard.

It's not that hard when the information that's being referenced is accurate. I had been using the lhmopars site, which lists the E code as an LA motor. Obviously, more research shows that's wrong. He potentially has a matching A318 motor, not a non-matching LA318.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Its a poly.

 

[cairopd1069]

Hemi Rebel, how did you make that determination from the photos? Not questioning you, just want to know for future reference. Thanks, Wayne

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Hemi Rebel, how did you make that determination from the photos? Not questioning you, just want to know for future reference. Thanks, Wayne

The main thing to look at is the valve covers. They have the raised part that comes to a point in the middle and the lower edge is not straight. If you had a poly 318 next to an LA engine you would be able to see the world of difference between the 2.

 

[cairopd1069]

I thought the poly valve covers had two bolts holding the valve covers on. These are the photos from a website another member pointed out. This is supposed to be a poly engine. Thanks for the help.

 

[modernistsouth]

I thought the poly valve covers had two bolts holding the valve covers on. These are the photos from a website another member pointed out. This is supposed to be a poly engine. Thanks for the help.

I thought the same thing. I dug up another website, for what it's worth. It compares the two.

http://www.dippy.org/forum2/index.php?topic=195.0

 

[cairopd1069]

Thanks, I will pull it up now. Please don't think I doubt your knowledge, I have been researching this for days and I have often found articles that contradict each other. I just want to make absolutely sure before I get to the point in my restoration where the engine is the next step. Thanks again.