Hi all, im new and hope im in the right forum.... I have a 1972 318 LA engine. Under the numbers that are on the front of the engine are the letters "RB", they are vertical. Does anyone have any idea what this can mean? The engine is in a 1973 Dart Sport that was formally an undercover police car back in the 70's.

 

Raised block, but i didnt think they made rb 318s, just big blocks. let someone else chime in.

 

Its BR not RB. Ill try to post a pic

 

That's not "BR", it's 318R and unless the block is some oddity, or has been rebuilt by someone who obliterated that number string, every small block has the CID as that one does, IE 273/318/340/360

(I have a Mopar rebuilt, 040 360 which had that number obliterated, and a glue on!! sticker replaced it)

 

Im am talking abount the RB stamped below the M318R. Click on the pic it to enlarge it

 

Here is some stamping info:http://www.yearone.com/updatedsingle...gnumbers4.html
Nothing I have seen in a stock block like this, sometimes a machine shop will stamp an identifier if work has been done or a warranty repair.

 

I've already looked through this.... nothin.

 

I will take a guess that it is a replacement block....BR backwards.

 

You might be onto something Eric. It could be anything since its a stamp and not part of the casting like the date codes would be.

 

Thanks for all the input people, if it is a replacement block from the factory would there be numbers down by the oil pan where the ID numbers should be? The numbers I have on the ID plate are 2R3555 8. There is no number between the 5 and 8. Thanks again people for all your help.