VIN/Fender Tag/Numbers Matching...1968 RR

[monaco66coupe]

I believe so, as the 383hp in my 68' build around sept 67' had the VIN. But, I have three 318 engines from 68' on the ground, and no VIN#s. On another 68' 340, the numbers appear crude as well, like it was an after thought. In between beers maybe? HA HA

The subject of VIN stampings on 1968 model year blocks is very controversial especially when it comes to HP vs non HP blocks. To my knowledge, no credible research has been done as to when VINs were stamped at which plants and on which engines.

I would very much like to hear from an owner of a '68 car that has a /6 or 318 with a VIN stamp.

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I've heard many different theories as to why some 68's have them and some don't. Some people claim that it was required as of 1/1/68 and that is why 'early' cars do not have them and 'later' cars do. Yet, you will find VIN stamps on early built cars from the STL plant.

I've heard it was an HP vs non HP thing.

 

[patrick66]

All of those cars have been converted to fake RoadRunners and Dart 383 GTS. I'd like to find a '68 - '72 318 car that still exists.

 

[cdr]

my 383 g code was NOT stamped

 

[monaco66coupe]

I have several 2bbl and HP 383 1968 engines on the ground, as well as a factory 440 Non HP. I'll post what I see tomorrow.

 

[monaco66coupe]

So far, my A" engine from a totaled 68'GTS 383 has the Vin# stamp, Built 5-3-68. But GTS 383's were not stamped HP. . The 383 four barrel engine in my charger came from a 68' H code sport Satellite,RP23H8Axxxxxx(330HP) but they weren't stamped HP either. It does have the vin# stamped., as does the transmission.

 

[Icecobra]

Engine block stamping was not mandated until 1-1-1968 there is some blocks stamped and some not in 1968 model year since assembly began in 1967. The true measure to find out the truth is a combination of what you know the car has today the color it was new and the parts or equipment it has. A block stamped with vin number could simply be placed in a 1968 on or after 1-1-1968. So it is reasonable to note that the plant did not wait until 1-1-1968 to stamp the block since on or about 12-1-1967 the engine might wind up in a 1968 model year but if the car has a early Dec 67 production it might not have the stamp it was not mandated yet. The combination of foundry or casting number, plus assembly date code of the motor and the assembly date of the car would be all something to consider on a block having or not having a vin number. All blocks came with casting numbers so this is a great place to start... If your casting number is 12-15-1967 or later it should have the vin stamped in it. As of 1-1-1968 it had to have the vin, it took about 10 days or more for the foundry marked block to be fully assembled engine to meet up to the body. The engine will have a assembly code on it which should correspond to after the foundry date but before the final assembly of the car date... If you have an out of sequence date code anywhere then it is not numbers matching...

 

[monaco66coupe]

I do have a 68' 383 GTS with the vin stamped, build date October 67', so it was done in the fall of 67' as well.

 

[Icecobra]

I do have a 68' 383 GTS with the vin stamped, build date October 67', so it was done in the fall of 67' as well.

Some were some were not I have foundry marks on mine 10-10-68 which is October 10 for 68 model year.. Assembly date 4th week October for the motor and car assembled in 12-5 1967 no vin number...

 

[69Coronetrt]

Engine block stamping was not mandated until 1-1-1968 there is some blocks stamped and some not in 1968 model year since assembly began in 1967. The true measure to find out the truth is a combination of what you know the car has today the color it was new and the parts or equipment it has. A block stamped with vin number could simply be placed in a 1968 on or after 1-1-1968. So it is reasonable to note that the plant did not wait until 1-1-1968 to stamp the block since on or about 12-1-1967 the engine might wind up in a 1968 model year but if the car has a early Dec 67 production it might not have the stamp it was not mandated yet. The combination of foundry or casting number, plus assembly date code of the motor and the assembly date of the car would be all something to consider on a block having or not having a vin number. All blocks came with casting numbers so this is a great place to start... If your casting number is 12-15-1967 or later it should have the vin stamped in it. As of 1-1-1968 it had to have the vin, it took about 10 days or more for the foundry marked block to be fully assembled engine to meet up to the body. The engine will have a assembly code on it which should correspond to after the foundry date but before the final assembly of the car date... If you have an out of sequence date code anywhere then it is not numbers matching...

So, according to your post, all engines installed after 1/1/68 will have a VIN. Am I reading that correctly?

 

[PP1RT]

All of those cars have been converted to fake RoadRunners and Dart 383 GTS. I'd like to find a '68 - '72 318 car that still exists.

i have a couple if your buyin..... A whole lot nicer pulling up to the gas pump with a 318 2 bbl then that 572 hemi ;)

 

[monaco66coupe]

It did happen. No ryme or reason. Just like when the powers that be said "never a hemi four door", until some showed up. I remember a 66' Coronet four door brand new in Omaha as he came to our gas station every week. it was also a three on the tree! Dark Blue, rubber floors. During a recent trip to Phoenix, my 73 yr older brother was reminiscing about a friend of my father back then that had a 66' Coronet wagon with the hemi as well. he remembers mainly because my Dad had installed an equalizer hitch on it for the gentlemans boat. So it is true a guy could walk in and order whatever they wanted, just as many workers were too lazy to stamp every block. A good friend of mine in Arizona has a 66' Charger with a 440 magnum engine in it. it was a late 66' model, and three months after the sale the engine blew up. The dealer didn't have a replacement 383, so they put a new 440 magnum in it. They never told the owner,,and he drove that car that way until 1993 when my friend looked at it and bought it, and said: hey you have a 440HP in that car! The owner had no idea, and always thought it was a lot faster with the new 383 engine.HA HA

 

[69Coronetrt]

So it is true a guy could walk in and order whatever they wanted, just as many workers were too lazy to stamp every block....

Not entirely. There have always been certain restrictions as to the possibility of availability. (No 70/71 Hemi Dusters, no 69 440-6 C bodies, etc)

To my knowledge there was no restriction of putting a Hemi in any 66 two or four door B body. There were certain caveats (no A/C, no three on the tree, etc) but cost would have been the main factor of more not showing up in four doors. A buyer for a four door would have been a much more cost conscious buyer and for application, a 383-4bbl would probably suffice.

 

[Icecobra]

So, according to your post, all engines installed after 1/1/68 will have a VIN. Am I reading that correctly?

As of January 1 1968 the vin was required to be stamped on the motor federal regulation requirement..

 

[monaco66coupe]

The guy who owned it was pretty old to me(I was 14 at the time) He had grey hair, that's all it took. I asked him once what mileage he got. he said 10mpg at an Idle, and otherwise he had no Idea. I think he thought I was a punk kid, which I was. I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure I saw him take off regularly with the column shift stick. I still remember the sound of the hemi, as mobil ethyl was 98-102 Octane, pink, and smelled very good.

 

[patrick66]

The 3-speed manual in '66 would've lasted about ten miles behind a Hemi. The four-door Hemi Coronets in '66 (all five of them) were all automatics. Two were sold at the SAME dealership in Wichita, Kansas.

 

[monaco66coupe]

I Hate to tell you, but that is not true. I saw it new, and I wasn't in Kansas. I'm sure there were others, and are long gone now. that HD three speed, which is a very rare piece today, worked just fine. They were also seen in big Chryslers in the late 50's to early 60's. My Mother drove a 61' new Yorker 413 with a three speed on the floor. In 1961 You could get the three speed behind the 413/375HP, and was an option. I'm still looking for one of those transmissions myself, and have been for some time.

 

[monaco66coupe]

Just got see the 68' 440 sold last year, and there is no VIN# stamp on the engine. 5-2-68 build on the fender tag. The date code on the pad
was 4-20 D440. I was second owner, and no replacement engine was done.

 

[Icecobra]

In 1968 title 49 was implemented with new rules and regulations including a anti-theft or theft deterrent code. It included but not limited to all US passenger cars sold in the US beginning 1-1-68 and after. Now is it possible somebody on the line did not strike the numbers hard enough to be easily legible of course. But then search all the other engine marks and transmission marks. It does not mean it is a numbers matching car since there is no numbers to match, most professionals will consider it not to be numbers matching no matter what gets said about I owned it since new off the lot...

 

[PP1RT]

68 and earlier i would call date coding good enough if there is no vin. If there is a vin# on the block then it needs to match to be called #s matching. My opinion simple enough. Some have them some don't. I would imagine there were discrepancies between plants and models. If someone feels ambitious they should start keeping track of the numbered and non numbered blocks,dates,models and plants. Be the next # guru....

 

[69Coronetrt]

... If someone feels ambitious they should start keeping track of the numbered and non numbered blocks,dates,models and plants. ....

I agree. From above:

The subject of VIN stampings on 1968 model year blocks is very controversial especially when it comes to HP vs non HP blocks. To my knowledge, no credible research has been done as to when VINs were stamped at which plants and on which engines.

I would very much like to hear from an owner of a '68 car that has a /6 or 318 with a VIN stamp.