Hello There,

I hope I've chosen the right sub for this question. I recently(last week) bought a 1955 DeSoto (Seriously, read on, I think I have the right sub). it looks like a P/O gutted the original drivetrain and replaced it with what we currently believe is out of a 1969 Dodge Charger. I'm listing the details below, but we have run into some issues identifying the parts. It gets weird.


Let's get the facts out of the way:

Radiator: ID 2898063 (mopar1.us lists this as 1968 383/440 with htr only out of a C body

Intake Manifold: ID 2806301 (383/B intake with a date code of 5-22 which puts it at 1961 but AFAIK, this is was exclusive to 1968 HP engines with A, B, or C body. Maybe I'm just dumb which is completely possible)

Exhaust Manifold: ID 2863409/2806900 M2 (Again, this places it somewhere in the 1968/1969 years)

Engine Casting number: No F-ing clue (We will get into that below. Almost looks like it was shaved off. Name of P/O who I think did the engine swap is a cop, so maybe police auction? He won't answer emails, so no clue)

Transmission: ID: 2892031L2488 1877 Assuming the 1877 is the date code, this is 1966/09/17 Pan shape aligns with a 727, but the casting number doesn't jive with examples I've seen online.

Transmission tail housing: ID 2466901 Jives with an A727

Motor is painted orange which if original would mean HP/Police motor. I'd like to confirm this if possible.


So the mystery begins:

1. Valve covers on the motor say 383 Golden Lion (which is a '58-'60 RB engine. Valley is wider and the 383/B intake will not fit. Assuming P/O thought they looked cool when he needed new valve covers and bought them off ebay. IDFK)
   
2. Engine ID, I checked on the top front of the block where the ID boss would be for a 383/RB, but there was no plate there, just an raised '8', so I checked where the 383/B would have it tucked under the distributor and it's been painted, so there may be something there under the paint.
   
3. Checked the bottom of the block on the passengers side just above the oil pan on the little plate there and I see swirl marks but no letters/number embossed.
   

I'm including a few pictures in hopes that someone has suggestions on how I can identify my engine. Everything points to a 383/B with an A727. I'm not too worried about the trans as the pan shape matches up. But I'd like to know from where the motor originated. Please someone tell me I'm an idiot and I'm just looking in the wrong place, that would make my day.


Engine ID: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ar7r7Z4NDBMDkMN38

ID Boss? :https://photos.app.goo.gl/3ktDEejmJhhvMySTA

383/RB ID Boss location: https://photos.app.goo.gl/sS6yVvA7FBhpBJKB9

Intake ID: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ftqM3YMTDkpJ8dtt8

Exhaust ID: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JfnKEfZXDm9jKJHJ8

Valve Covers: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dDo6WDxSejVNtfLG6


@Mods if you move this post to where you believe it would be more correct, thanks. If you delete it, no judgement, weird question from a guy with only Ford and Porsche experience. I'm just trying to get exposure to where I think the drivetrain originated.

 

Any other casting numbers on the side of the block?
Could be the rite valve covers.... Maybe they just added the sticker?

 

If it's from 1969 it will have a parshal VIN # on the block pan rail, on the side of the block.
it should have a casting date also...

 

Well, I verified the block is a B block. Got up under there the other day and found the casting numbers on the side of the block under the heads.
24681307 <- 2468130 = 1959-1971, 383 B-series Big Block (I kinda knew it, but I still cannot find evidence of a VIN. It looks like it was ground off. Trying to track the previous owners, but the oldest one I can find was a cop in a local city. That city has police auctions for impounded cars, so.....)
and
56 17 38 <- No clue what this means Spaced in that manner with no other details.

I'm going to keep trying to find more info on the transmission as it looks like rebuild kits are different depending on when it was made. I'll assume ~1968/1969 for now, but would like to verify one day.

Thanks for the suggestions, not sure we will ever know the engine history.