68 440 questions

[68gtx]

i bought a core engine to build for my gtx as it has a 71 440 in it and not a 68 engine, the one i bought was cast 21 st day of jan 1968.. but it has no vin stamped along the pan rail or i have read that there may be one by the bellhousing flage by the oil presure port , but there is none there either? is this common?shouldnt there be one somewhere?

 

[69clone]

I just picked up a 68 440 last week and it has the vin stamped right above the water pump inlet across from the distributor on the large flat surface.

 

[MarPar]

I just picked up a 68 440 last week and it has the vin stamped right above the water pump inlet across from the distributor on the large flat surface.

really? weird! the whole VIN? can you get a pic?

 

[69clone]

Sure, hopefully I am talking about the right thing.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Yeah, for 68 should be on the back of the block like you said. If nothing then might be a replacement block. Not sure if they got restamped.

A VIN on the front pad?? That would be a first for me.

 

[Meep-Meep]

That doesn't look like the VIN. There will be info there but it's engine size, assembly date, letter code for installation year (should be D for 68) and other markings. Look like whoever stamped that was trippin.

 

[MarPar]

dont get me wrong, i know there's a lot odd things Ma did, but i didnt think putting the VIN on the id pad was one of them!! lol

ive looked all over my block, and cant seem to find the VIN either. my id pad stamp is d440 1 2, but no VIN or SO # anywhere in the "normal" spots.

would a warranty/replacement block have stampings on the id pad also?

 

[69clone]

That doesn't look like the VIN. There will be info there but it's engine size, assembly date, letter code for installation year (should be D for 68) and other markings. Look like whoever stamped that was trippin.

whoops, I see what you're talking about now. I thought that was it, sorry bout that. Yeah, It isn't as neat as you would think... No idea what the M is other than marine block which is what we assume... The side of the block is stamped 8/2/68.:eusa_think: I also just looked over mine in the places described above and couldn't find any VIN.

 

[70rr-brian]

dont get me wrong, i know there's a lot odd things Ma did, but i didnt think putting the VIN on the id pad was one of them!! lol

ive looked all over my block, and cant seem to find the VIN either. my id pad stamp is d440 1 2, but no VIN or SO # anywhere in the "normal" spots.

would a warranty/replacement block have stampings on the id pad also?

I have a warranty replacement 383 and the only stamping on it is an "S". No traces of a VIN. But it is a June 1970 casting.

 

[dfarmercse]

You all have got me interested. Going to have to go out and check mine
Dave F

 

[dave5237]

Sure, hopefully I am talking about the right thing.

I think that stamping on the front engine pad is from a 69. Is that a possibility!

 

[zyzzyx]

No vin

From what I've read, 1968 Blocks did NOT have the V.I.N. stamped anywhere on the block. They started doing this in 1969. The date code was "cast" into the block, not stamped, and the date code should be protruding from the side of the block. Any information stamped on the front pad of a 440 motor can be de-coded with the proper manual. I can try and find the info and post it here if you need it. The date code sounds right for your car. Good luck with the project!

 

[mopar367]

My 68 440 has a vin stamped on it. Its cast 6-3-1968, out of a 69 chrysler imperial lebaron hardtop. The vin is by the oil pan rail

 

[MarPar]

i've read a couple, few things; and I always thought stamping the VIN's on the engine block started in 69...

could it be that the SO numbers off the build sheet were stamped on the oil pan rail?? :eusa_think: PT440__________

 

[detmatt1]

Vin #s were stamped on the `68's as well up by the oil pressure sending unit, not by the pan rail. I have 2 `68 big blocks and both have vins stamped in the same place and have seen quite a few more examples on all the `68s I check out.

 

[MarPar]

Vin #s were stamped on the `68's as well up by the oil pressure sending unit, not by the pan rail. I have 2 `68 big blocks and both have vins stamped in the same place and have seen quite a few more examples on all the `68s I check out.

back by the firewall, Matt? near the top of the bellhousing?

 

[detmatt1]

Yep, right by the edge of the mating surface of the trans/bellhousing. In fact if it's an auto trans car the vin will be stamped on the trans adjacent to the stamp on the engine so they are right next to eachother. Manual trans is stamped in the same place on `68's and `69's.