440 m code block

Vin stamping

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Well boys I hate to disagree, but here are photos of a matching numbers '68 cuda, 383 car. I think the truth is somewhere in the middle, and I think there are no hard and fast rules here. The photos show the last eight digits of the VIN number on the back of the belhousing. This is a "late" 1968 car. The complete VIN on this car begins with BH29H and then the numbers that you see on the belhousing (the trans is also stamped the same). BH29= Barracuda fastback, H= 383 engine. So this car just has the last eight digits on engine and tranny.
 
View attachment 1715632806 View attachment 1715632804 Well boys I hate to disagree, but here are photos of a matching numbers '68 cuda, 383 car. I think the truth is somewhere in the middle, and I think there are no hard and fast rules here. The photos show the last eight digits of the VIN number on the back of the belhousing. This is a "late" 1968 car. The complete VIN on this car begins with BH29H and then the numbers that you see on the belhousing (the trans is also stamped the same). BH29= Barracuda fastback, H= 383 engine. So this car just has the last eight digits on engine and tranny.

Well we aren't talking about a 68, please read...
 
Well thanks for your input. It holds true to what I have read.my literature states that january 1, was the cutoff. Before that has full vin, after january 1 it has the last 8. But this guy says he has a m code that was built on 03/29/1969 ( same as mine ) and it has full vin. Plus he has had others , and they all had full vin. He maybe playing me ?

As with most things, there are few absolutes. A lot of info in literature has not been accurately researched or flat out wrong information is repeated over and over.

The transition from the full 13 digit VIN stamping to a 8 digit VIN most certainly did happen in January of 1969. It can be shown that cars with a 13 digit stamping and a mid January SPD exist (see below).
WH23H9G201509.jpg


Meaning... it is unlikely that the cut over was a hard and fast 1/1/69. The transition likely took place over time at the various plants.

This is another reason why factory documents and tags are important to save as well as documentation on cars that are parted out. Many changes to details took place over a model year. Documenting those changes is important.
 
Well thanks for your input. It holds true to what I have read.my literature states that january 1, was the cutoff. Before that has full vin, after january 1 it has the last 8. But this guy says he has a m code that was built on 03/29/1969 ( same as mine ) and it has full vin. Plus he has had others , and they all had full vin. He maybe playing me ?

M code cars were built over the transition time meaning the early cars may have the 13 digit VIN and the last cars don't. What's important is SPD. Start with that info.
 
Well stated. But I hate to feel stupid but what is a SPD???. I only have a fender tag. No build sheet
 
Well stated. But I hate to feel stupid but what is a SPD???. I only have a fender tag. No build sheet

Scheduled Production Date or an estimated date the assembly would begin.

On the fender tag I posted above, the series 113 on the second line from the bottom indicates a Scheduled Production Date of 113 or January 13th.
 
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Hey guys, I am looking for some info on m code 440 block, my info shows that after january 1969, just the last 8 of VIN, is stamped on block on all m codes. Others say the entire VIN should be on block. Can anybody help with this? I am trying to see if I have a true numbers matching block. Also has anyone seen the holes drilled in the oil pump housing off center like mine. As always any help will be appreciated

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I thought that the back motor mount boss on the drivers side was cut/ ground off on the M codes. Is this not true? Kim
 
As with most things, there are few absolutes. A lot of info in literature has not been accurately researched or flat out wrong information is repeated over and over.

The transition from the full 13 digit VIN stamping to a 8 digit VIN most certainly did happen in January of 1969. It can be shown that cars with a 13 digit stamping and a mid January SPD exist (see below). View attachment 1715632816

Meaning... it is unlikely that the cut over was a hard and fast 1/1/69. The transition likely took place over time at the various plants.

This is another reason why factory documents and tags are important to save as well as documentation on cars that are parted out. Many changes to details took place over a model year. Documenting those changes is important.
Off my fender tag shows 3/29
 
The very early M code cars came with the full vin. I run the 440 M code Cuda registry and I have some of the 440 M code Dart list.
 
The very early M code cars came with the full vin. I run the 440 M code Cuda registry and I have some of the 440 M code Dart list.
So do you think that since it a march twenty nine SPD, ( I would say that it a middle of the year car) .that is safe to say that it is original block. I am going to ask to see his supposedly 3/29 car fender tag to compare with mine. As far as the motor mount holes being off center, I say it is just poor mopar production fit like always.
 
So do you think that since it a march twenty nine SPD, ( I would say that it a middle of the year car) .that is safe to say that it is original block. I am going to ask to see his supposedly 3/29 car fender tag to compare with mine. As far as the motor mount holes being off center, I say it is just poor mopar production fit like always.
yes
 
So do you think that since it a march twenty nine SPD, ( I would say that it a middle of the year car) .that is safe to say that it is original block. I am going to ask to see his supposedly 3/29 car fender tag to compare with mine. As far as the motor mount holes being off center, I say it is just poor mopar production fit like always.

I'm certainly no expert by any means, but I think after seeing all this, you're golden. I think it's a dead match.
 
The very early M code cars came with the full vin. I run the 440 M code Cuda registry and I have some of the 440 M code Dart list.
Hey dave can you give me a call at 515 829 9939, I am still needing some info on m code block , Rick is telling me it's a restamp
 
i have an M Code Cuda fastback that i am putting together this winter. can someone answer a simple question for me. i have read numerous original 1969 published car mag articles that state that the M-Code Cudas were factory 383 cars that were sent to Hurst for them to convert to 440 engine cars. but i have also heard guys state that ALL the M-Code Cudas were built by Plymouth on special assembly lines at Chrysler plants. does anyone have the "final" answer to this question with some reasonable evidence to support your view?
 
As with most things, there are few absolutes. A lot of info in literature has not been accurately researched or flat out wrong information is repeated over and over.

The transition from the full 13 digit VIN stamping to a 8 digit VIN most certainly did happen in January of 1969. It can be shown that cars with a 13 digit stamping and a mid January SPD exist (see below). View attachment 1715632816

Meaning... it is unlikely that the cut over was a hard and fast 1/1/69. The transition likely took place over time at the various plants.

This is another reason why factory documents and tags are important to save as well as documentation on cars that are parted out. Many changes to details took place over a model year. Documenting those changes is important.
With an SPD of January, what is the motor casting date(Oct-Nov '68) and at what point is the vin stamped into the block? Before or after assembly?
 
i have an M Code Cuda fastback that i am putting together this winter. can someone answer a simple question for me. i have read numerous original 1969 published car mag articles that state that the M-Code Cudas were factory 383 cars that were sent to Hurst for them to convert to 440 engine cars. but i have also heard guys state that ALL the M-Code Cudas were built by Plymouth on special assembly lines at Chrysler plants. does anyone have the "final" answer to this question with some reasonable evidence to support your view?
Hurst was not involved with building any of the 1969 M-code A-bodies. They were all built by Chrysler Corporation.
 
Hurst was not involved with building any of the 1969 M-code A-bodies. They were all built by Chrysler Corporation.
I agree, any reading/research that I've ever come across has never mentioned Hurst in having a hand in any m codes or the limited '68 440 Darts.
 
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With an SPD of January, what is the motor casting date(Oct-Nov '68) and at what point is the vin stamped into the block? Before or after assembly?


Casting date...I wouldn't know as inventory was simply used when it was needed.

I've been lead to understand, and it makes sense to me, that the engine and transmission received the VIN stamp once the assembly was mated to and ready for installation into the vehicle. From a production standpoint, this makes sense to me.
 
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