Matching #s engine?

[Johnny B Beep]

I own a 1969 383 Roadrunner. It was built at the Lynch Road assembly plant. I was told it was #s matching when I bought it several years ago.The block was cast on 2/24/69. The engine was assembled on 3/13. The car went into production on 3/15 (According to fender tag) All these dates seem to indicate the engine is matching #s to the car. My question is why would somebody re-stamp the vin on the engine block? (And not even do a good job) Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[super-bee_ski]

Hi and welcome to our Forum Johnny B Beep!
Thanks for joining.
I'm a bit up north of you near Edwards Flight test center.

Well,
Good question...
BUT: Is your block original or a re-stamp due to the apparent errors and double stamping...
I assume that is your concern.
First off, a lot of mistakes were made in the 60s and 70s at the factories...
These pads were Hand Stamped
In my opinion, your Block is original built to the car,
Seems correct to me,
Some web sites "out there" discuss this very issue
I think one is called All Par
Why re-stamp?
I played the Pontiac game many years ago and the Ram Air cars are very rare, unscrupoulous shops would re-stamp as original engine/trans/diffy bring more money.
Especially in the vette 427/435HP cars.
So, yes it was done.
But others on the Forum know more about this and can help.

 

[MoparLeo]

The last eight numbers of the vin were stamped starting in 68. Do they match yours ? That should answer the question.
http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/motor/36.html

 

[super-bee_ski]

The last eight numbers of the vin were stamped starting in 68. Do they match yours ? That should answer the question.
http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/motor/36.html

There ya go!
Thanks MoparLeo!
(I'm forgetting a lot lately)

 

[Johnny B Beep]

There ya go!
Thanks MoparLeo!
(I'm forgetting a lot lately)

The numbers definitely match but I’m concerned about how the fonts are different (especially the “rounded 3”) and how it appears something was “erased” above the vin stamp. I just seems really odd.

Thank you guys for your help!

 

[MGKelly]

Can you post a close up picture? Can see a whole lot in the one posted.

 

[moparwacko]

There are better experts than me, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.
So here goes,
I believe Lynch Rd assembly used the last 6 of the VIN
Hamtramck plant used the full VIN
NOT sure of others.
Look at the ID pad ( behind alternator), if it is anything other than E 383 HP, it's not the original. All the date castings, and assembly dates seem to point to a "born with" 383.
There are some real numbers guru's here as well as ex Chrysler employees who will chime in to correct me if I'm mistaken.
I've been wrong before, I'll get past it.....

Edit, see you posted the ID pad, can't read it though. Scrape it down & repost if possible

 

[Johnny B Beep]

Can you post a close up picture? Can see a whole lot in the one posted.[/

 

[Johnny B Beep]

The ID pad is stamped E 383 HP (the correct font, spacing, size etc) Notice the “3” has a flat top -as it should.

It’s definitely a true 383 HP motor

I just can’t get past that the last 6 digits of the vin that are stamped on the block are legitimate. The spacing, font, size, double stamping, etc don’t appear correct. Notice the “3” has a rounded top .It also appears that whatever used to be above the last 6 digits of the vin has been “Erased”.

Thanks again for everyone’s help!

 

[69L48Z27]

Your pictures still aren’t good. You need straight on photo with way better light.

Only other number you can check is a 10k day date stamp down on the oil pan rail at the rear of the engine. If that date lines up and the stamps look good then your only concern should be the VIN stamp.

 

[MoparLeo]

Can't "erase" a stamped number. Can only grind the metal off. This will leave an obvious dip on the block surface.
Is there something special about this car ? The 383 was by far the most common of the total RoadRunners produced.
There are ways to "raise" a number that has been ground off. Heat and/or acid are the most common methods.The block would need to be removed to do it.

 

[MGKelly]

If there are number stamped on the transmission, compare the font.

 

[Bad B-rad]

If you cant get a quality photo, maybe a pencil rubbing, will help.
I do see what your talking about, but it still is hard to see clearly.
I know we all expect the #'s to be stamped perfect, and if not, we start to question things.
But they were hand stamped, and mistakes are made, I do not know enough to validate that stamp, or confirm that its fake, but I see your concern.
I think you have done the right thing by, looking at the other numbers (casting, and assymbly #'s) to help support the originality of the engine, to the car.
Good luck and hope it turns out to be the correct engine!!

 

[super-bee_ski]

Can't "erase" a stamped number. Can only grind the metal off. This will leave an obvious dip on the block surface.
Is there something special about this car ? The 383 was by far the most common of the total RoadRunners produced.
There are ways to "raise" a number that has been ground off. Heat and/or acid are the most common methods.The block would need to be removed to do it.

My sentiments exactly.....

In my opinion, it's legit

 

[super-bee_ski]

It's not a 1968 Pontiac Ram Air II / IV or a 1969 Ram Air V block

 

[Johnny B Beep]

My sentiments exactly.....

In my opinion, it's legit
[/QUOTE

I probably should have used a different word instead of “erased”! It doesn’t really look(or feel)like it was ground off. It appears more like some sort of chemical was used. Sorry for the poor quality of the pics!