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383 VIN Number Location - 09/22/2021

D Jay Hopkins

D Jay Hopkins

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I recently had a fire on the side of my house and my 383 from my '68 Coronet was scorched. I included $3900 in the insurance claim for tear down and reassembly. The insurance Agent is requesting proof that the engine belongs to my car so I tried to find the VIN number on the engine. I checked the block at the top rear near the oil sending unit (1968) but found nothing. I found a date cast into the block which is '66. I checked where a book note suggested but no luck (doesn't mean it's not there). I am stumped and any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
 

Attachments

  • Cast Date.pdf
    4.6 MB · Views: 222
  • Cast Number.pdf
    2.3 MB · Views: 161
  • Data Plate.pdf
    2.6 MB · Views: 155
  • Oil Sending Unit.pdf
    2.4 MB · Views: 145
Not all 68 assemblies received a VIN stamp. There may not be one.

What does the pad at the front of the block by the distributor say?
 
my '70 383 engine vin # is stamped on the pass side of engine towards the bottom. Sometimes built up dirt will hide it.
 
I scraped and wire brushed the block where the oil pan meets the block on both sides but couldn't find anything. I attached the pdf of the plate near the distributor.
 

Attachments

  • Data Plate.pdf
    2.6 MB · Views: 261
You may get lucky if you've had any machine work
done, and have receipts for. The builder may
sign an affidavit attesting to your ownership.
Photos prior to the burn (of the engine in the car),
may also help. Been where you're at. I got lucky.
 
D Jay Hopkins said:
I scraped and wire brushed the block where the oil pan meets the block on both sides but couldn't find anything. I attached the pdf of the plate near the distributor.
Click to expand...

The D indicates the assembly is for a 68 model year car.

There may be no definitive proof this is the original assembly but this is due to Mopar stamping guidelines in effect at that time and out of your control. This would be the same as a car not coming with a specific emissions item, shoulder belts, dual master brake cylinder, a padded dash, etc. What they are asking for was not a legal requirement or company standard policy at that time.

You may be able to make a little of a convoluted argument based on the assembly stamping in relation to your VIN number. This, at least, might reinforce the concept the assembly could be original.
 
try searching my conversation on (engine numbers) , I have a 68 roadrunner and was going through the same questions with engine numbers on my 68 , it might help you
 
I have learned that only HP engines where stamped with the VIN in 68.
 
68GTX4SPEED said:
I have learned that only HP engines where stamped with the VIN in 68.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of statements regarding 68 VINs. This is one.

IF the statement is true, then we have to acknowledge that 68 Chargers received the same 335 horse engine assembly as Road Runners and Super Bees. We can prove this by finding the same assembly codes on Broadcast sheets. To my knowledge, this cannot be proven.

IF 383 Chargers did not receive the 335 horse HP assembly and we see a 68 Charger with a VIN stamped on the bell housing, then the statement that only HP assemblies received the stamp is untrue.

We should also expect to never find a VIN on any /6, 318, 383-2 or LP 440 C body.

It is difficult for me to believe that plants would pick and choose which assembles did and did not get a VIN stamp based solely on the HP designation. I can think of no legal or logical reason to make employees stand there (inefficently waiting and waiting) to make a determination as to which assemblies to stamp and which ones to not stamp when it would be fair easier to stamp all or none.

68_Charger_VIN_collage.jpg
 
I have an hp 383 in mine with no vin in the back or bell housing , I was told they only did that in some plants and were on automatics , the only good number your going to get are by the starter on the bottom of the block and the front and its just going to give you a build date and thats just going to be close to your production date , thats it
 
Like other's have said passenger side under fuel pump where oil pan meet's the block. If it is their. Embossed numbers on driver side under exhaust manifold. Closer to the fire wall. Engine number's. But think those are only engine block number's. Which is period correct to the car.
 
I appreciate all of your information and advice. I am going to send pdf files that will show the 5th digit of my VIN, vIN ID page from my repair manual and the D383 stamped into the block. I will update once this is resolved. Have a pleasant day - Jay
 
What are they asking you to prove, exactly?

That the engine destroyed is the original engine for your car?

If so, what do they care?
What would they do if it was a 1970 engine in your car that got destroyed? What if it was a transplanted Hemi?


...or if the engine that was destroyed was actually in your car at the time of the fire?

That sounds more like an insurance company trying to deny a claim based on shady doings by the insured.
 
just the standard ( put you through hoops ) to see if you give up
 
I'm guessing the insurance company is balking
at the fact that the engine is out of the car. They're
not going to pay to have it "torn down and
inspected" if it turns out to be a stolen engine,
or if was out of the car due to needing a rebuild.
If it was still in the car at the time of the fire, it
would be hard to prove wether the engine was
running, or not, and they'd have to pay out for
the entire value of the car. These guys will always
try and weasel out on paying any valid claim.
 
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