383 ID help needed. 383 HP? 383-S?

[Cruzin69]

My dads 1969 Charger is a 383/727 auto and has been in his garage since 1969. Tryin to help him ID his motor. I’ve read about an H-code 383, and read about a 383-s, and am trying to find out what’s in his car from the factory. Is it special or just a standard 4-bbl 383?

Had him get me the numbers on the fender and stamps on the block.

Fender tag says based on a Mopar site decoder:
XP29: Dodge Charger Premium
2 Door Sports Hardtop

H9B: 383 330HP OR 335HP 1-4BBL V8
1969 Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI

338398: Sequence number

E63: 383 cid 4 barrel V8 H.P. 335hp
D32: Heavy Duty Trans
331: Build Date: March 31
195055: Order number

Here are the pieces of the puzzle:
1) H9B says “330hp 383 OR 335hp 383”
2) E63 says it’s the 335hp HP model 383
3) the stamp on the block says “E383 3 21” but no “HP.”
4) car has the “unsilenced” air cleaner with no 383 4-barrel decals on the lid
5) car has the magnum exhaust manifolds
6) there is orange paint under the turquoise paint on the oil filler side valve cover
7) car current has a Holley 4160 4-barrel dated as 1978 (per Holley) which his restoration guy swapped on it, but told my dad he “rebuilt” his original carb. We don’t know what/where the original carb is now. Motor is all original and never been removed or rebuilt. Just 68,000 miles on it.

Rest of motor and driveline are original. Is this just a run-of-the-mill 4-barrel 383, or is this something more?

 

[69Coronetrt]

The H code and E63 only tell you it was a 383-4; not which version or HP rating. (a common mistake in decoders)

For 1969, Chargers with automatics got the 330 horse version. Four speeds without A/C got the 335 version.

 

[Cruzin69]

And all those came with the “arched” exhaust manifolds and unsilenced air cleaner lids?

Curious why there aren’t any decals or “383 4-barrel” in the air cleaner. I’m kinda a noob to this, sorry and thanks

 

[Cruzin69]

A few more pics...

 

[68sprtsat383]

I was always told that H letter code is 335hp and G letter code is 330hp. My 68 is an H. Just like a RR or Super Bee had H code

 

[oldbee]

A buddy of mine had a 68 Sat w/383-4bbl. he had log type exhaust if I remember correctly, it had a much bigger "silenced" air cleaner with a snorkel. When both were stock, it couldn't stay with mine. But, there was always rumor floating around that a RR couldn't stay with a Bee, in my case it was the truth; luck of the draw? I don't know.

 

[Cruzin69]

A buddy of mine had a 68 Sat w/383-4bbl. he had log type exhaust if I remember correctly, it had a much bigger "silenced" air cleaner with a snorkel. When both were stock, it couldn't stay with mine. But, there was always rumor floating around that a RR couldn't stay with a Bee, in my case it was the truth; luck of the draw? I don't know.

So what is yours?

 

[69Coronetrt]

I was always told that H letter code is 335hp and G letter code is 330hp. My 68 is an H. Just like a RR or Super Bee had H code

There are some variations through the years but that would be incorrect for 68-70. The letter H and sales code E63 only tell you it was a 383-4. Not which version. An A body HP 330 horse, a B/E/C body 330 horse, and a B/E body 335 horse all code H, or N for 1970, and E63. Yet there are three distinct assemblies in that group.

 

[69Coronetrt]

A buddy of mine had a 68 Sat w/383-4bbl. he had log type exhaust if I remember correctly, it had a much bigger "silenced" air cleaner with a snorkel. When both were stock, it couldn't stay with mine. But, there was always rumor floating around that a RR couldn't stay with a Bee, in my case it was the truth; luck of the draw? I don't know.

There are 2 bbl and 4 bbl exhaust manifolds ( no such thing as big block HP manifolds outside of the Max Wedge manifolds. A four bbl manifold is a four bbl manifold.) so either your buddy has the wrong intake, the wrong exhaust manifolds or the factory really screwed up.

 

[oldbee]

So what is yours?

Mine is a one-owner 68 Bee, I'm not real 'up' on the 69 options.

 

[fwi]

But would there be any markings on the engine block itself (like on the 440)or somewhere to confirm which HP version it is?

 

[oldbee]

There are 2 bbl and 4 bbl exhaust manifolds ( no such thing as big block HP manifolds outside of the Max Wedge manifolds. A four bbl manifold is a four bbl manifold.) so either your buddy has the wrong intake, the wrong exhaust manifolds or the factory really screwed up.

LOL you're questioning my memory from 49yrs ago? I was just trying to remember "back when" how it was. No harm,no foul.

 

[moparnation74]

What Does the ID pad below the alternator have stamped on it?

Verify everything originally stamped on the block first!

Do you have a Build Sheet which is under the rear seat?

The BS lists ALL options ordered......

 

[Cruzin69]

What Does the ID pad below the alternator have stamped on it?

Verify everything originally stamped on the block first!

Do you have a Build Sheet which is under the rear seat?

The BS lists ALL options ordered......

Yes, block simply says e383 3 21. 1969 383 built in March 21st. No HP.

Have the build sheet, but in dads “car folder” buried in his basement in another state. Lol

Sounds like it’s just a 383 4 barrel, but curious why it doesn’t have a cool labeled air cleaner like I see on other Mopars.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Sounds like a bragging rights issue over 5-10 hp.
You can build multiple engines to reagent standards and have the hp come out all over the place.

 

[moparnation74]

Yes, block simply says e383 3 21. 1969 383 built in March 21st. No HP.

Have the build sheet, but in dads “car folder” buried in his basement in another state. Lol

Sounds like it’s just a 383 4 barrel, but curious why it doesn’t have a cool labeled air cleaner like I see on other Mopars.

Because it is not a HP motor....Also is why it does not have the 383 magnum pie tin...

 

[mopar 3 B]

Because it is not a HP motor....Also is why it does not have the 383 magnum pie tin...

Pie tins are like chrome. Neither create hp. Only look nice.

 

[moparnation74]

Pie tins are like chrome. Neither create hp. Only look nice.

The OP is asking specifics about his car and not about building a performance motor......

He thinks his non HP 69 motor should have a pie tin of some sort.....The non HP's did not have a tin...

 

[mopar 3 B]

The OP is asking specifics about his car and not about building a performance motor......

He thinks his non HP 69 motor should have a pie tin of some sort.....The non HP's did not have a tin...

Nore did the tin fit a none hp cleaner. The point is there were really no parts in the engine its self that would make a 383-4 an hp or not an hp.

 

[68sprtsat383]

Isn't the cam different. I thought the H engines used same cam as in the 440Hp. I know when my motor was rebuilt I ordered the roadrunner/super commando cam for it. Motor sounded the same before and after rebuild