1968 383 VIN Stamp

[66Hemi]

Attempting to decode the VIN stamp on a '68 383:
PT383S23008198

Assume:
PT = Trenton MI plant
2300 = Nov 14 '67 (Chrysler Julian Date)
8198 = sequence/serial no

Confused about the letter "S". Special, Service, or ??
- Special meaning? Ref for the 383-330hp engine?
- Service meaning? Same as Warranty? Thought no Warranty blocks were VIN stamped

What are diffs between the "B" block 383s: 383(330hp) vs HP 383(335hp)?

Thanks for the asst

 

[69Coronetrt]

That’s the engine assembly number.

Is there an HP on the front pad? Is there a VIN stamp on the back of the block by the oil sending unit.

 

[66Hemi]

That’s the engine assembly number.

Is there an HP on the front pad? Is there a VIN stamp on the back of the block by the oil sending unit.

Vehicle unavailable. No clue if HP on the pad next to dist.

VIN stamp (engine assembly number) is located on the back of the block next to the oil sending unit. Leading "P" missing on pic:
Looking for a reference to decode.

 

[PP1RT]

So number on the fender tag will match the number on the block. Dont know what wlse you want to decode? HP on the pad otherwise it was just a 383.

 

[66Hemi]

As noted, looking for refs:
- Decode meaning of the letter "S" in the engine assmbly stamp
- Differences btwn the B-block 383 engines? 383 (330hp) vs HP 383 (335hp)

Wondering if the "S" letter (Special?) is specification for the 383-330hp engine?
Heard that 383 was a 'dog' performer. Your insight appreciated

 

[mopar 3 B]

Depends whats expected of the dog.
The HP block itself was no different than any other 383 block. The difference was in internals.

 

[69Coronetrt]

As noted, looking for refs:
- Decode meaning of the letter "S" in the engine assmbly stamp
- Differences btwn the B-block 383 engines? 383 (330hp) vs HP 383 (335hp)

Wondering if the "S" letter (Special?) is specification for the 383-330hp engine?
Heard that 383 was a 'dog' performer. Your insight appreciated

The main difference between the B body 330 and 335 was the cam and associated valve springs. Carbs were different. Most literature states a Windage tray was included with the 335 horse.

 

[monaco66coupe]

Non stamped had the same pistons,(10:1) but lower lift cam, single springs,smaller jetting. Mine had windage tray, but single chain nylon cam chain. same Intake and exhaust manifolds.all that and only 5hp less. according to some articles I read, Chrysler was baffled after they tested both engines that the HP gained only 5hp more. I have both, and they perform literally the same in my opinion. especially since 98 octane fuel is gone.( Regular in 1968 was 95)

 

[66Hemi]

Various lit refs note the 383HP has 440 heads, cam, and exhausts. Would expect better performance than the std 383.
Whatever the case, "Thanks" for the info. Much appreciated.

 

[monaco66coupe]

all 383-440's(68-70) had the same heads,906.383 two barrel or 440 six pack. Only the spring tension changed, due to a higher lift cam. both 383 four barrel engines were basically the same, with the above earlier mentioned add-ons not withstanding.
The primary purpose of the HP stamp and rating was to differentiate the Roadrunner and Superbee line, in order to Increase sales of a "specialty" muscle car VS the Charger and Satellite,(HP29) that was considered the luxury sports Hardtop line.

 

[69Coronetrt]

Various lit refs note the 383HP has 440 heads, cam, and exhausts. Would expect better performance than the std 383.
Whatever the case, "Thanks" for the info. Much appreciated.

The big block head castings are all the same. The reference to 440 heads is misleading. It makes it sound like the 440 had a different casting or there was something special about the 440 assembly compared to a 383. The only thing different about the 383/440 HP head assembly is the springs.

The exhaust reference is misleading. There are 2 bbl and 4bbl exhaust manifolds. The B body 335 horse used the same exhaust manifolds as the 330 horse.

The rating is smoke and mirrors.

If you have a 383-4bbl rated at 330 horse and a 440-4 rated at 350 or 375 horse, you do not have much wiggle room to rate the 383HP. It would be pretty tough to advertise the 383HP at 345 or 350 horse when your entry level 440 is at 350. So five horsepower gives you a distinction in the 383 without encroaching on the 440 rating. It's not about actuality, it's about positioning.

Compare the rated numbers of standard 396 Chevys, 390 Fords, and 400 Pontiacs, to the smaller 383 and see what happens. ;)

 

[69Coronetrt]

all 383-440's(68-70) had the same heads,906.383 two barrel or 440 six pack. Only the spring tension changed, due to a higher lift cam. both 383 four barrel engines were basically the same, with the above earlier mentioned add-ons not withstanding.
The primary purpose of the HP stamp and rating was to differentiate the Roadrunner and Superbee line, in order to Increase sales of a "specialty" muscle car VS the Charger and Satellite,(HP29) that was considered the luxury sports Hardtop line.

Considering the HP engine was used in other models in 69 and 70, that may not be the case. It was not exclusive to RR and SB after 68.

If the engine was stamped, it would help the people that add things like intake manifolds, distributors, etc. after the heads are bolted on. They would not know which pieces to add without some external marking indicating the different cam.
If the engine was stamped, it would help the paint folks to know what color to paint the engine in 69 and 70.
If the engine was stamped, it would help a mechanic know what internals were in the car and be able to tune to specs.

There are several practical reasons why the block was stamped besides market positioning.

 

[PP1RT]

all 383-440's(68-70) had the same heads,906.383 two barrel or 440 six pack. Only the spring tension changed, due to a higher lift cam. both 383 four barrel engines were basically the same, with the above earlier mentioned add-ons not withstanding.
The primary purpose of the HP stamp and rating was to differentiate the Roadrunner and Superbee line, in order to Increase sales of a "specialty" muscle car VS the Charger and Satellite,(HP29) that was considered the luxury sports Hardtop line.

And the 440 six pack had different valves.

 

[monaco66coupe]

Considering the HP engine was used in other models in 69 and 70, that may not be the case. It was not exclusive to RR and SB after 68.

If the engine was stamped, it would help the people that add things like intake manifolds, distributors, etc. after the heads are bolted on. They would not know which pieces to add without some external marking indicating the different cam.
If the engine was stamped, it would help the paint folks to know what color to paint the engine in 69 and 70.
If the engine was stamped, it would help a mechanic know what internals were in the car and be able to tune to specs.

There are several practical reasons why the block was stamped besides market positioning.

I agree, later things changed. The OP was for the 68', so my reference was to that year specifically. To clarify, all the factory documents show the 68 and 69 charger and sport Satellite got the 330 HP engine only, which did not have any HP stamps. Back in the 70's mopar guys were well aware of the similarities of the two, and new the hard parts were all the same. But most everybody was modifiying them far more then just worrying about cam differences. By 70' Chrysler changed lots of things.

 

[69Coronetrt]

I agree, later things changed. The OP was for the 68', so my reference was to that year specifically. To clarify, all the factory documents show the 68 and 69 charger and sport Satellite got the 330 HP engine only, which did not have any HP stamps. Back in the 70's mopar guys were well aware of the similarities of the two, and new the hard parts were all the same. But most everybody was modifiying them far more then just worrying about cam differences. By 70' Chrysler changed lots of things.

Thanks for clarifying.

The applications of the 383 HP changed each year.

In 68, the 335 was available only in the SB and RR without AC. (I avoid bringing the A body version into the discussion on B bodies)

By 1969, any four speed B body (Chargers, Satellites, Coronets) without ac got the 335 horse. There was no 330 horse/manual transmission assembly like there was in 68. AC cars still got the 330 horse regardless of model. Things change again in 1970.

 

['68 Charger]

.....In 68, the 335 was available only in the SB and RR without AC.

Correct. So '68 Charger H code (383-4) received the 330 version.

Do you know if those applications received the red pie tins stating "383 FOUR BARREL" ?? Obviously it wouldn't receive the "383 MAGNUM" pie tin.

So either "383 FOUR BARREL" pie tin (red) or "NO" pie tin.

 

[69Coronetrt]

Correct. So '68 Charger H code (383-4) received the 330 version.

Do you know if those applications received the red pie tins stating "383 FOUR BARREL" ?? Obviously it wouldn't receive the "383 MAGNUM" pie tin.

So either "383 FOUR BARREL" pie tin (red) or "NO" pie tin.

I don’t know that. Someone else might know.