M-code 440's were only made in '69. There were supposedly a total number of 1000 to qualify for super stock drag racing. The supposed numbers are 640 Darts and 360 'cudas.
A body BB manifolds on ebay
- Thread starter grjammer
- Start date
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rustycowll69
Well-Known Member
is there a registry? how many are known to still exist?
I run took over/run the M-code 'cuda registry. You can see this at the bottom of my posts, "M-code 'cuda registry keeper."
For M-code 'cudas the numbers built are 300 fastbacks and 60 notchbacks. I have about 110 total in the registry.
My avitar pic is of my 6700 mile M-code notchback......
rustycowll69
Well-Known Member
very cool. Thank you.
Not like I own a M code 69 Cuda, but when I was stationed down at Ft Campbell Ky in 85 I saw a green 69 440 fastback Cuda. I had a 70 383 4spd Super Bee I was driving then. I thought...huh... someone put cool stripes and a 440 in a little Cuda.... cool! Lol... so naive then
rustycowll69
Well-Known Member
I remember reading about them in '69. I had a '68 340 Dart GTS then, but I was under the impression then that they were like experimental, and only doled out to a very select few chosen racers or something. I had no idea there were so many built.
Great story!!!!!! So how long after that did you realize/find out that it was a factory built car?
You'd be surprised how many people still don't know about them or even 340 and 383 'cuda package cars because they are very rarely seen.
rustycowll69
Well-Known Member
I bought a medium metallic blue 67 383 notch back in like '75 or so. It was a total basket case. It had been hit pretty hard in the Rt rear c-pillar/1/4 panel and filled with about a couple of inches of Bondo. The PO was going to "rebuild" the car. To that end, he disassembled the dash, and all the instruments to the last screw, for instance. I'm a little ashamed to say I took the rear leafs, t-bars, disk brakes, rear axle and put them in my 64 Dart gt 340 4spd car. I sold the rest to a guy I worked with, who put a 440 in it.
Vamisk
Well-Known Member
Serious question, how poorly do the HP manifolds flow anyway? Obviously headers are better but I want to retain power steering and keep this swap cheap but I want to know how much I'm leaving on the table.
69sR-US
Member
I actually have that little booklet from Galen, funny thing is that I haven't taken the time to read up on all of that stuff. The print is so small, it's like half the font size of the Bible ! Ha ha! Fortunately there are guys like Cuda Darrel over here in the Ca. desert that has so much knowledge that he could tell you if the guy on the assembly line was left handed. He's my info go-to guy.
69sR-US
Member
So my car has been decoded by Galen and is nicely laminated for me to keep in my tidy file. I still can't confirm that it is or isn't in the registry yet. maybe I will work with the M-Code Keeper on that. If that little booklet is accurate then all of my 3 cars are pretty much pedigree because of the low production of their packages. Will have better confirmation later guys.
I had no idea that there were that many m code cars made. I thought there were like under 100 darts made and I didn't even know there were cuda's too.
that would make 67 dart gts's and the 71 and 72 Canadian 340 darts way more rare.
I was 19 at the time and just getting immersed fully in the ways of the pentastar. Probably not long after. I had a lot of mopar buddies and I read A LOT. What really blew me away was the year before, I was building my Super Bee and a neighbor used to drive up in a 69 b5 Dart... I thought, COOL! Sounded really good. So, we shoot the breeze and he's checking out my Bee. Then mentions that his Dart has a 383 4spd. He says its factory....MIND BLOWN.
Shame he wrecked it (not terminal) and I could have had it for a few hundred bucks.
marksmopar1
Well-Known Member
Power steering, If your going power steering on a 383 Dart, Barracuda and using the factory manifolds be sure to get the 68/69 Manifolds. The 67 Manifold for the drivers side is a one year only casting and does not fit power steering. The manifold casting on the drivers side was changed in 68/69 to allow power steering. This is for the 383 manifolds. Of course the 440 drivers side manifold was unique on its own.
As a side note the front bolt tab on the driver side manifold is a weak link. Given the heat/cold cycle they are prone to cracking. I had one break off all the way into the port. Fortunately I had it repaired and am working on bringing it back to being functional.
marksmopar1
Well-Known Member
Yes I had the very same..welded up and all good...looks crappy though These castings were poor very porous sand cast...welding can be tricky.
69sR-US
Member
I am unaware that power steering on a factory BB A-Body (383 or 440) will fit at all with factory cast exhaust manifolds. There was talk of using a power steering column and pushing in ( or compressing ) the coupling at the connecting end to gain room for the power steering to bolt up. Hmmm! I myself bought a set of Schumaker Try-Wye headers and went ahead with out any issues. Also used a mini-torque starter and everything works really well. I did have fun with getting that return line in behind the bracket for the power steering connection on the back of the pump. I have both sets of factory 383 and 440 exhaust manifolds on my shelf and the other set or on my numbers matching 383 4-speed. The purist in me needs them to stay but the performance in me wants to do what many did in '69 and toss em to put something that lets that motor breath. Anyone who builds BB Mopars will agree that the key in the power at any level is the CFM flow.
My builder was giving me "the speech" about using TTI long tube headers instead of shorty Tri-Wye from Schumaker. He said he could tell as soon as he got on it that the breathing could be better and even have more HP. He's been building everything from W-2 to Max Wedge 426 to Hemi power for over 40 years. He's die hard Mopar and not too many know it better than he does. Look em up... Submission Engines Rancho Cucamonga Ca.
My builder was giving me "the speech" about using TTI long tube headers instead of shorty Tri-Wye from Schumaker. He said he could tell as soon as he got on it that the breathing could be better and even have more HP. He's been building everything from W-2 to Max Wedge 426 to Hemi power for over 40 years. He's die hard Mopar and not too many know it better than he does. Look em up... Submission Engines Rancho Cucamonga Ca.
marksmopar1
Well-Known Member
Power steering likely wont work with the 440 original manifold. A 383 68/69 casting yes power steering and these cars were offered the option in 68/69 with the new drivers side manifold casting 383 only. There was a special power steering hose connection for use on the Big Block A's. The A's had many unique parts to get this B/RB engines in the A's.
As for Schumaker Headers, I have two sets for my cars,,,Tri-Y and one set modified for 4 speed use. Again, if your resorting a car to factory then schumaker headers are not what a guy would want no matter what the power loss. The Tri-Y manifolds are perfect for the street and fit well...save the TTI's for the track if thats what you do. Tri-Y is just an alternative to trying to find cast manifolds for these cars. Tri-Y's give us all an option for street driving and let the engine breath a bit better. For me it is all I need,,,,I dont race it,,,just have some street fun...perfect for my intended use. Thats just me. I need to find the picture of the manifolds all in a row that I have,,,comparison, I did not have the 440 manifold for the picture.
As for Schumaker Headers, I have two sets for my cars,,,Tri-Y and one set modified for 4 speed use. Again, if your resorting a car to factory then schumaker headers are not what a guy would want no matter what the power loss. The Tri-Y manifolds are perfect for the street and fit well...save the TTI's for the track if thats what you do. Tri-Y is just an alternative to trying to find cast manifolds for these cars. Tri-Y's give us all an option for street driving and let the engine breath a bit better. For me it is all I need,,,,I dont race it,,,just have some street fun...perfect for my intended use. Thats just me. I need to find the picture of the manifolds all in a row that I have,,,comparison, I did not have the 440 manifold for the picture.
Johnny Dart
Well-Known Member
M code B code Z code......Who gives a rats ***.
I would drive a Chevy before paying that ridiculous ransom for those.
You can have it all, have fun.
I would drive a Chevy before paying that ridiculous ransom for those.
You can have it all, have fun.
marksmopar1
Well-Known Member
BLASPHEMY!
Johnny Dart
Well-Known Member
Better blow some dust off those wallet boys.
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mrdrmr
Member
I have enjoyed reading this post. If I may ask a quick question on build sheet order number. I have a small portion of the build sheet that fell out of the headliner (1969 dart) that what I think is the engine order number of "027" does anyone know what that number signifies??
I can't seem to find this info anywhere.
Thanks in advance
I can't seem to find this info anywhere.
Thanks in advance
rustycowll69
Well-Known Member
looks like C27 to me, but no, not a clue
65Val
Average Length Member
Whats the 5th digit in your VIN? That will also determine the original engine in the
car.
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