L-Code vs. K-Code 440

[ericisback]

In 1969, what was the difference between a L-Code vs. a K-code 440?

How was the high-performance 440 different than the regular 440?

Did the L-code come standard on any cars, or was it just an option?

 

[GTX JOHN]

As I recall L code 440 was Standard in GTX and R/T also Chrysler 300

 

[kramer]

In 1969, what was the difference between a L-Code vs. a K-code 440?

How was the high-performance 440 different than the regular 440?

Did the L-code come standard on any cars, or was it just an option?

The basic difference between the std and Hp motors was the valve springs, camshaft, carb, and windage tray and some years the oil pan was different as well. Also some of the Hp motors had dual point distributors depending on what axle package was ordered. The block, crank (depending of certain years) the heads (depending on years), pistons, and intake were all the same.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Exhaust manifolds on the HP engines were different than the standard family car engines.

 

[MarkLevi]

Also, the air cleaners were typically unsilenced on the 440 HPs (whereas the 4-bbl was dual snorkle), they got a clutched fan, and depending on the model, bumped the standard gear ratio from 2.76 to 3.23. They were "Commando" for Plymouth, "Magnum" for Dodge and "TNT" for Chrysler if memory serves.

M

 

[turbine68rt]

Also, the air cleaners were typically unsilenced on the 440 HPs (whereas the 4-bbl was dual snorkle), they got a clutched fan, and depending on the model, bumped the standard gear ratio from 2.76 to 3.23. They were "Commando" for Plymouth, "Magnum" for Dodge and "TNT" for Chrysler if memory serves.

M

In '68 the 440 mag non-a/c automatic cars got a direct drive fan with the 2 piece metal shroud. Not sure if that carried over to '69.

 

[RemCharger]

There was some talk of the HPs being built on a different line or shift with tighter tolerance parts I believe

 

[R413]

L code standard on:
GTX
Coronet RT
Charger RT
Daytona
Charger 500
K code not available on a b-body car.

K code was the standard engine for:
Chrysler 300
New Yorker
Imperal
Maybe others I’m not a C body specialist.


L code was optional on C bodies except Imperials.
L code was not standard on a Chrysler 300 as stated in post #2.

 

[YY1]

This brings up a point that I've always found interesting.

The compression specs for the "non-HP" 440 in 69 is 10.1:1

vs the HP at 10:1.

WTF?

...and maybe even why bother?

 

[69Coronetrt]

Exhaust manifolds on the HP engines were different than the standard family car engines.

As the only time this scenario could happen is with C bodies, it’s probably more accurate to say the C body K assembly had the log manifolds while the C body L assembly had the manifolds similar to the A and B body 440 manifolds.

 

[68BabyBlue]

L code standard on:
GTX
Coronet RT
Charger RT
Daytona
Charger 500
K code not available on a b-body car.

K code was the standard engine for:
Chrysler 300
New Yorker
Imperal
Maybe others I’m not a C body specialist.


L code was optional on C bodies except Imperials.
L code was not standard on a Chrysler 300 as stated in post #2.

Back in the day, Chrysler shipped a '68 New Yorker to our local dealer, equipped with a 440 TNT (L code) by mistake. They had a hard time selling it with the performance car idle. In a variation on that theme, Bill Clark switched out the HP cam shaft in my GTX for a milder K code shaft when he equipped the car as a tow vehicle. It's still in place today, but no one has noticed the difference from stock until I point it out.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

As the only time this scenario could happen is with C bodies, it’s probably more accurate to say the C body K assembly had the log manifolds while the C body L assembly had the manifolds similar to the A and B body 440 manifolds.

Yeah. I remember back when I was in high school, mid 1970's. A friends Dad had a 69 Chrysler station wagon with a 383 that had the magnum exhaust manifolds from the factory. That big wagon was pretty fast when he took it out one night..... LOL

 

[68BabyBlue]

This brings up a point that I've always found interesting.

The compression specs for the "non-HP" 440 in 69 is 10.1:1

vs the HP at 10:1.

WTF?

...and maybe even why bother?

And I've read that the actual compression on a stock HP 440 is 9.5? And my '70 GTX with stock HP 440 4-bbl was rated at 9.7 in the sales brochure.

 

[RemCharger]

And I've read that the actual compression on a stock HP 440 is actually 9.5? And my '70 GTX with stock HP 440 4-bbl was rated at 9.7 in the sales brochure.

Deck heights and chamber volumes varied as they were built so those numbers weren't completely accurate.

 

[turbine68rt]

Back in the day, Chrysler shipped a '68 New Yorker to our local dealer, equipped with a 440 TNT (L code) by mistake. They had a hard time selling it with the performance car idle. In a variation on that theme, Bill Clark switched out the HP cam shaft in my GTX for a milder K code shaft when he equipped the car as a tow vehicle. It's still in place today, but no one has noticed the difference from stock until I point it out.

A friend of mine in the early 90's had a triple black '68 Monaco 500 with the original 440 mag. Until then I thought they were only found in B-bodies with a performance package. Always interesting to see and learn new things about that era.

 

[RemCharger]

A friend of mine in the early 90's had a triple black '68 Monaco 500 with the original 440 mag. Until then I thought they were only found in B-bodies with a performance package. Always interesting to see and learn new things about that era.

Yep got 2 of em lol.
A 727 and a 18 spline Dana car.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Yep got 2 of em lol.
A 727 and a 18 spline Dana car.

A dana in a C Body? Is that factory? C Body rear axles were wider than B Bodies, I thought..

 

[R413]

Yes a Dana rear in a c body 440mag 4 speed. But not a Dana 60. It is a different number, 31?

 

[RemCharger]

A dana in a C Body? Is that factory? C Body rear axles were wider than B Bodies, I thought..

Yes a Dana rear in a c body 440mag 4 speed. But not a Dana 60. It is a different number, 31?

It's a Dana 53.

 

[turbine68rt]

As the only time this scenario could happen is with C bodies, it’s probably more accurate to say the C body K assembly had the log manifolds while the C body L assembly had the manifolds similar to the A and B body 440 manifolds.

Here's a 383 HP in a 68 Polara 500. I'd hate to try to locate one of those manifolds.