68lover

Hey all, new user so hello!

I'm trying to document and verify all the information on my 1968 Charger. I've looked over the block but I don't see a number to check if it matches. Where should it be? It's pretty greasy so I'll clean where it should be, but I am not sure where to start. Cleaned off the back of the block on the top.

I believe the build date is 05 1968, or at least that's what the header has stamped on it. I was told it's all original years ago, just now getting around to checking and trying to document it.

aka_rusty

68 Lover

casting number is on passanger side inline with the frost plugs
there will also be a stamping beside the distributor on the front right side of the block.

vin should read xp29g8b000000
x for charger
p for base charger (p=383,727,A/C. no power locks,mirror, windows )
29 (two door sports hardtop)
g 383 cid 290 H.P. 2bbl v8
8 for model year
b (for hamtrack michigan final assembly plant yours may differ)
000000 followed by the 6 digit serial number

a stamping on the rad cradle should read b8x000000 (6-digit-serial)
where b8x will corrispond to the vin of your charger.

These are the best places to start to see if it is "indeed all original" I can give you.

aka_rusty

check out http://www.yearone.com/updatedsingle...ngnumbers.html

for a pic ... should read as 24681303831959-71B

http://www.yearone.com/updatedsingle...gnumbers3.html

this will help you break down the code. Your block should read d383 inthe above location.

68lover

Thanks, that helps a bit. I did uncover the casting numbers between posting this and checking back.

I'll have to give it another go tomorrow and see if I can uncover it.

68lover

going back out to the shop to check.

aka_rusty

no, your block should read d383. The numbers of casting will indicate the year, day etc of the block. You have to ref with the sheet sandwiched between the springs and the cloth of the back seet from inside the trunk (or bottom of seat) to see if its the right #'s. The above will give you the info to find the blocks year.

I can not say for sure if blocks and cars where manufactured at the same time or plant.

If so...You would have to cross check the 6 digit serail of your vin (get the date from it) and match it to the id date stamped on the block.

aka_rusty

see this http://www.yearone.com/updatedsingle...gnumbers4.html

if I am not making much sense at 11pm here...

68lover

Engine stamp next to the distributor reads "D383" next line reads "5 (3 or 8?)" next line, R (regular fuel according to the chart you linked ).

I don't understand why the date code isn't complete? But that's the right spot:



VIN is XP29G8B383055

Stamp on the driver side header reads "5/1/68" and 2843932-1

I've yet to find any other stamps, will keep looking tomorrow.

If it's on the side I guess I'll have to get out the jacks and crawl under?

aka_rusty

I just put the camera up a took the pic no jacks... you can almost see it from lying beside the car looking up becasue of the angle of the block.

The color of the block is a detail sign too...

d = 1968
5th month, 3rd day (# off line never got stamped no biggie, just prob a shift change on the line)

R=regular fuel

Body Type: X = Dodge Charger
Price Class: P = Premium
Body Type: 29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
Engine: G = 383 290HP 1-2BBL 8 CYL
Year: 8 = 1968
Sequence Number: 383055 = 283055th Vehical Built
Body Type: X = Dodge Charger
Price Class: P = Premium
Body Type: 29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
Engine: G = 383 290HP 1-2BBL 8 CYL
Year: 8 = 1968
Sequence Number: 383055 = 283055th Vehical Built

Now I need to see your fender tag, it holds all the vital details of the cars components. Got another pic?

68lover

You bet, thanks so much for helping me learn this stuff

68lover

How did you get: Sequence Number: 383055 = 283055th Vehical Built ?

aka_rusty

I know its wired that way. On my prog it says 3 on net it said 2.


One min while I make magic.

68lover

Also trying to figure out what the serial / other numbers on the radiator wall should match to. Anything? Have pict of it too.

Looks like it's B8X136885

aka_rusty

CAR: Dodge Charger 2 Door Sports Hardtop
ENGINE: 383cid 2-bbl V8
TRANSMISSION: 4-Speed Manual Floor Shift
TIRES: F70x14 Red Sidewall, Steel Belted
BUILD DATE: May 13.
AXLE: 3.23 Rear Axle Ratio, Sure Grip
INTERIOR: Charger Trim Grade, Vinyl Bucket Seats. Black Interior.
PAINT: Monotone Silver Metallic Paint.
OTHER: Black Upper Door Frame Color. Bright Blue Metallic Racing Stripe.
MOLDINGS:
25: Drip Rail Mouldings
30: Body Belt Mouldings
78: Wheel Lip Mouldings
ABC OPTIONS:
D9: Front Disk Brakes
H1: Power Brakes
R1: AM Radio
T7: Tachometer
abc OPTIONS:
a5: Center Front Seat
b4: Bucket Seats
m6: Driver's Outside Remote Operated Mirror
u1: Sold Car When Built (Somebody Ordered It)

aka_rusty

rad will matchto the vin as I outlined above in post #2

aka_rusty

looks like quite the car, top notch extras!

68lover

I'm reading it wrong

aka_rusty

I'd say its a match. Block and car made within 10 days of each other....
did you not see my magic?

aka_rusty

rad matchs fender tag
Block date matchs fender tag. To get to 100% you need the broadcast (build sheet) from the interior. IF car is original a copy will be found...

68lover

top of the radiator frame reads: B8X136885

vin on dash looks like: XP29G8B383055, had a sticker on the window and it's hard to read, but I'm pretty sure that 383055 is right.

68lover

Really appreciate all your help and patience!

Ah I see that, the rad matches the fender tag.

aka_rusty

Rad cradel and fender tag are ones to match.
In your case 136885 is a match.

aka_rusty

b8x from rad should match vin which it does. Sorry if I got you confused
In both (order is altered from both hence confusion)

x for charger
b for assmbley plant of Hamtrack Michigan
8 for 1968

therefore XP29G8B383055 matched the rad stamp of B8X136885

if the b or 8 was differnt then no match... I hope that makes more sense... but getting you off topic I think... You wanted to check the block to the fender tag, fender tag to rad support, rad support to vin. Since they all match, unless I am half asleep I say its a matching #'s car.

68lover

Ah, that makes perfect sense, and no, right on topic!

aka_rusty

Car was bult May 13th, block was bult May 3rd.
I assume it is a 383 2bl with a 4 speed manual?

68 block with 383 was turquoiuse
1968383 V8Turquoise
Mopar Paint P4120752

going back to basics...

The last digits of your VIN number should be stamped on the lower pad on the block on the passenger side of the motor. Sometimes the whole vin number is there. If there is no number, it could be a warranty block. The casting date should also be on the side of the block, usually in big numbers. (we confimed this allready)

A note I pulled:

Another place the number is stamped is under the rubber moulding on the trunk lip. Lastly the tranny. If all these numbers are the same, you got yourself a numbers matching car.

68lover

Was told everything was original when I bought it, was uneducated and didn't take the time to learn this stuff before and check it all. So I looked over the documentation, story, and accepted his word and a paper contract that stated the same.

You mentioned it's nicely optioned, do you think it's a rare config? People have mentioned that in the past, but it seems you're a little more knowledgeable than most I've talked to.

What stuck out to me is, 383, 2bbl, 4 speed, disc brakes, center front seat (fold down) locking gas cap, tac upgrade, manual steering. Kind of an oddball set of options, ya?

I have a guy interested in trading it, for his non-matching semi restored 68 with a 440 that I could finish out. I don't have the tools or experience to do a rotisserie resto.

Anyways, now I'm rambling off topic.

aka_rusty

The VIN will only match the block and tranny.

the other #'s you have given me thus far are a match.

Without the VIN off the block its hard to say 100% yes.

The last eight 68 vin numbers on the dash should match the should match the numbers on the spot where the block and tranny bolt up directly behind the oil sending unit or on the passenger side of the block down low near the front of the engine.


(the block may or may not have the vin as I have read that early produced charges did not get stamped... and since your tag you showed allready was incomplete there may be no vin to check.)

Alas, stamping occured later in 1968 and there may be nothing to check. However I can not say for sure it is not there.

My 68 has a 71 383 which I was told was numbers matching... stupid e-bay.... Still great car...

The only way to tie the VIN numbers on the engine/tranny to the Sales Order, and therefore body numbers, is via the broadcast sheet, the window sticker or a seldom found IBM inspection card.

68lover

I'll report back tomorrow with the results!

At least so far we know it seems right, year correct, etc.

ps - no build sheet, previous owner started on the interior and either lost it or tossed it

68lover

Raining out and I don't feel like messing with it tonight.

Hoping this image will make it easier to find.

Guide says this should be the location for 318, 383, 440, going to have to pull it out to get under and see.

aka_rusty

PRODUCTION
2dr hardtop 6 cy
2dr hardtop 8 cyl
2dr hardtop R/T 8 cyl
TOTAL

92,590

Chrysler styling in the 1960s was generally derivative as the company copied the designs of Ford and GM. This resulted in cars that were generally good performers, but bland as far as styling goes. The 1968 Charger, however, featured a complete restyle, in and out, from the previous 1967 model to what is generally considered to be the best looking Chrysler product of the 1960s. Showing no resemblance to any other Dodge, the Charger underneath the beautiful body, was pure "B" body. "B" body was the body/chassis that Chrysler assigned to its mid-size automobiles. Two models were available, the Charger and the performance oriented Charger R/T.
Standard engine was the 318 c.i. V-8 engine with a two barrel carburetor. Optional were two 383 c.i. V-8 engines, in two or four barrel carburetor form. A late model year introduction was the Slant Six inline six cylinder engine- a no-cost option.
As with most 1960s cars, there wasn't much in the way of standard equipment. Features that are taken for granted today, such as, power brakes, disc brakes, power steering, radio, rear defogger and tinted glass, for example, were all optional on the Charger. However, all Chargers came with bucket seats, concealed headlights and a pop-open gas cap.
The most interesting Charger model was the Charger R/T. The standard engine was the 375hp 440 c.i. Magnum V-8 engine with the 426 Hemi optional. Like the Coronet R/T, the standard transmission was the three speed Torqueflite automatic. In fact, the Charger R/T shared the same suspension and driveline components as the Coronet R/T, which in this case, meant heavy duty shocks, springs and rear axle.

R/T identification included 2 R/T medallions on the front grille and on the rear taillight panel. The R/T model also came with rear Bumblebee stripes, which were a deleteable option. These stripes belt the rear quarter panels.
Production figures indicate that a total of 19,012 Chargers were powered with the 383 c.i. V-8. 440 c.i. V-8 production totaled 17,107 units while 475 Charger R/Ts came with the Stage II 426 c.i. Hemi engine, broken down as follows: 264 were equipped with the automatic transmission and 211 got the four-speed manual. The Stage II 426 engine differed from the 1967 version as it came with a more aggressive mechanical lifter camshaft, different valve seals and a windage tray.
After 06/01/68, all Charger R/T models ordered with the Hemi engine and four-speed combination were built with exposed headlights, flush grille, and chrome windshield reveal molding.


SPECIFICATIONS
Wheelbase
117"
Track, f/r
59.5"/59.2"
Height
53.2"
Width
76.6"
Length
208"
Weight
4035



ENGINES
225 c.i. I-6 1-V Carburetor
C.R
8.4:1
Horsepower
145@4000
Torque
215@2400



318 c.i. V-8 2V Carburetor
C.R.
9.2:1
Horsepower
230@4400
Torque
340@2400



383 c.i. V-8 2V Carburetor
C.R.
9.2:1
Horsepower
290@400
Torque
390@2800



383 c.i. V8 4-V Carburetor
C.R.
10.0:1
Horsepower
330@5000
Torque
425@3200



440 c.i. Magnum V-8 4V Carburetor
C.R.
10.1:1
Horsepower
375@4600
Torque
480@3200



426 c.i. Hemi V-8 2x4V Carburetors
C.R.
10.25:1
Horsepower
425@5000
Torque
480@4000



PERFORMANCE:
1968 Dodge Charger R/T
Engine:
425hp 426 c.i. V8
Transmission:
Three Speed Automatic
Axle ratio:
3.23:1
Weight
4346
Acceleration
Sec.
0-60 mph
4.8
Standing 1/4 mi.
13.5@105 mph
Top Speed
156 mph
Source:
Car & Driver 11/67