• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

How to decode Engine Date code stamping?

CrazyDaisy71

Well-Known Member
Local time
12:39 AM
Joined
Sep 2, 2017
Messages
86
Reaction score
17
Location
Hazzard County
This is the engine date code stamping on my engine:
20191203_170534.jpg
I went searching and found that this is a 1969 440 Engine with (Maltese Cross+X) 0.10 undersized crankshaft: but I don't know what the upside A, sideways 1 and the last four digits 1116 mean? How do I read it to tell me what day this engine was made? Does 1116 mean November 16th, or... Any info on what's left that I couldn't decipher would be a great help! Thanks...
 
11 16Th is the motor assembly date...November 16th 1968
 
A .020 oversize cylinder bores
Diamond Oversize tappets
 
Looks like it has a Maltese cross, undersize crank journals. It's between 440 and the X.
 
It’s for a 1969 model year vehicle.
As has already been said, it was assembled in November of 68 for a 1969 car.
 
Since there is no HP stamping then one would have to say that the engine is from a C-body car?
 
It’s for a 1969 model year vehicle.
As has already been said, it was assembled in November of 68 for a 1969 car.
Thank You for replying! You've all been a great help!! I didn't know what to think: It surprises me, for sure! But I'm still curious; what part of the code tell that it was a 68 block made for 1969?!
 
It’s for a 1969 model year vehicle.
As has already been said, it was assembled in November of 68 for a 1969 car.

The E in front of 440 indicates 69 model year...


A = 65
B = 66
C = 67

FWIW I've seen all the documentation showing Maltese crosses, Diamonds, X's A's & so on.... But I've also torn down allot of engines & measured parts.... I don't put much trust in those stampings, generally they are wrong... Cool but wrong...
 
Since there is no HP stamping then one would have to say that the engine is from a C-body car?
I have no idea, just found out about this today myself... I'm happy but disappointed at the same time... This code is on the engine in my 71 Satellite Sebring, which itself came with a 383. I've always thought that it had the original engine still in it, seeing as how this was a base type car factory big block equipped; it was pretty special to me... Hitting me hard that it is a swapped in engine...
 
The E in front of 440 indicates 69 model year...


A = 65
B = 66
C = 67

FWIW I've seen all the documentation showing Maltese crosses, Diamonds, X's A's & so on.... But I've also torn down allot of engines & measured parts.... I don't put much trust in those stampings, generally they are wrong... Cool but wrong...
Yeah, like i had just replied to the other person; I would Love for this to be wrong.. For the car that it's in I mean. It's a 71 Plymouth, that I thought still had the original engine. I'm kind of Heartbroken to uncover this... I know there is absolutely no way, but I wish that it was somehow wrong...
 
They can be .001 or more I believe .010 maybe. The crankshaft counter weight is stamped. It can one or more journals. Picture of a crank I have is stamped M5 R 5 6 7 8.M is main bearing journal R is rod.
acrank.JPG
 
Thanks a lot for the info!! I've just found out about this date code plate today.. How can you tell that its for 1968?
Think about the month?.....If it was 11 16th 69 that would be for the 1970 model year and the code would be F.....

Also think about when the current model year production stopped...hint it was way before November.....
 
Think about the month?.....If it was 11 16th 69 that would be for the 1970 model year and the code would be F.....

Also think about when the current model year production stopped...hint it was way before November.....
Hahaha, You're totally right!!! Don't know why it didn't occur to me, my '70 Charger was put together in October 1969, it works in that fashion for this too! I'm very thankful for you, Sir! Thumbs Up!!! Oh, Is that a GTX?
 
Hahaha, You're totally right!!! Don't know why it didn't occur to me, my '70 Charger was put together in October 1969, it works in that fashion for this too! I'm very thankful for you, Sir! Thumbs Up!!! Oh, Is that a GTX?
To give you more of an idea here is the ID pad from my matching numbers 69 GTX......FUlly documented and OE Gold winner

ID.jpg
 
The existence and location of that number pad indicates a raised block (413,426wedge,440, an rb), therefore it can't be the original in your 383 car. Low blocks have a different pad In a different location. The "E" for 69, assembled in 68, because a middle of November assembly in 69 would be for a 70 model car. A 69 rb would be a 440.
Just above the oilpan rail on the passenger side should be a number with year, assembly plant, and partial vin code of the original car.
 
To give you more of an idea here is the ID pad from my matching numbers 69 GTX......FUlly documented and OE Gold winner

View attachment 876263
Awesome!!! Your GTX must really be breathtaking!!! I've got a '70 GTX, lots of rust, though... I hope I can get it back to its former glory; like yours one day... Here's a picture of one in the same color as my car;
Screenshot_20191203-192835.png
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top