I'm Going to Look at a Coronet -- Help!

Hello all,

First post to the forum. I am going to look at a 1967 coronet r/t this weekend and need some help regarding originality issues. I am confident the car is a real r/t (vin has ws23 and L code for engine) but I am unsure whether the engine is correct for the car. I have searched and read probably 100 different websites about this, wound up really confused, and was hoping you guys could help. Here are my main questions:

1. Owner says he thinks engine is original but he said stamp on block is either a B or C 440 (wasn't with car when I talked to him) and that he can't find the HP stamp on it. Is it possible to have an original engine with a date stamp (not the casting date) from the year before?

2. Did they ever make HP blocks without stamping the HP on the block?

3. What other things can I look for in trying to determine originality of the engine in the car? What other stampings, casting numbers, etc. should I look for to help in verification?

I realize they did not put vin's on the blocks of 1967 cars and that I could never know for sure unless I bought it new, but I am trying to find a first car for my 15 year old son and I to work on together and want to make sure I get the best bang for my buck.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Try the 440source website. Somewhat difficult to navigate, but good info.
The good thing (depending on your perspective) about 66/67 (and earlier) is that if the casting date is before the car's buid date by a month or a couple of months, then it really can't be proved that it's NOT the original engine, unless it's obviously a marine or industrial block or something like that. Much easier to have a correct 66/67 than a later car, because a 68 (1/2*) or newer car only has one possible correct engine (unless you count blank warranty blocks) and your 67 has hundreds of possible correct engines.

I'm sure someone will chime in with more details, but that's the gist.

The potential downside (again, depending on your perspective) is that, for example, my 66 actually DOES have the engine it came with from the factory, but isn't worth any more than another 66, that someone found a "date correct" block for. Date correct in this case is virtually synonymous with original.

Hey rmiller,

Like YY1, I think it's best that you are comfortable with the results that you can dig up. I'll state what I can to help you but I'm no more of an expert than anyone on this site and don't want to mis-lead you.

The C code would make sense (that the owner provided), that should be the year code 1967.

Can't comment on the HP designation for 67

440 casting numbers for 66-72, for RB blocks should read 2536430...if it's an industrial RB then it would read 2658836...

It really depends on what the selling price for the car is...if the price is low, then it's not such a big factor in the decision...if it's high...do your homework!

That's about all I can tell you...

Only year that 915 heads were used so if there with it still that should be reassuring. Take another look for the HP stamp, sometimes you have to be looking at it from the right angle to see it.

Thanks for the help. I intend to spend a lot of time looking for the HP stamp when I get there and making sure the casting numbers on the block make sense. Is there any way to tell if the heads are 915's without taking the valve cover off? Don't know yet how keen the seller would be to me yanking them off (car is a driver) and then walking away because they're not what I expected/wanted.

Only thing I can add is the 915 heads were used in 66 on Chryslers only, so really the 915's were used for two years. Matt is correct in that 67 is the first and only year for the B body 440 915 heads and that also means there will be a large "HP" stamped on the accessory mounting pad if it's originally a high perf application. Sometimes you will see HP and a 2, where the 2 possibly indicates second shift. The HP designation is for the 1.74" exhaust valve, otherwise there is no difference in the heads. I would think a B 440 stamped on the pad with no HP means that engine is a 350 horse out of a Chizzler and not the original from the R/T. Also check the assembly date to make sure it's PRIOR to the SPD of the vehicle.

With no VIN on the block all you can do is verify HP on the heads, block cast date probably in 1966 and a C440 stamp with HP WITH the proper assy date.

rmiller said:

Hello all,
2. Did they ever make HP blocks without stamping the HP on the block?
Thanks in advance for the help.

Click to expand...

Yes, unlike Cheby with their 4-bolt main blocks; I think every 440 or 383 is an 'HP' block. I am not aware of any difference between a block marked HP and a standard 440 cylinder block. Cams, valve train, etc. is a different story.
Regards,

'67 Chrysler 440 "TNT" engines are stamped "HP", but some of those only got the 1.60 ex.valve 915's. I had one years ago.