VIN Code Question

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Divenut

Divenut

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Hi Folks,

Just got my 1972 Duster (Happy as heck about it!), I ran the VIN through the site's decoder and got the following:

Vehicle Model: Valiant/Duster/ScampVehicle
Class: Special Price Class (Duster 340,Barracuda Cuda)
Vehicle Body Style: 2 Door Sports Hardtop
Vehicle Engine: 340 CID/240 HP 4 BBL V8
Vehicle Year: 1972
Vehicle Assembly Plant: Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA

The tag on the door shows "9-71" above the VIN Code (which matches the plate on the dash.) Would this indicate the build date? Guessing they were producing the cars for "72" in late 71.

Also, what is the best/easiest way to determine if the engine/trans are original? I have found references to casting numbers, but I am not clear on where these number are located. (Forgive my ingorance, you gotta keep in mind that I have been a Chevy guy for the last 30+ years...been a MOPAR convert for 3 days! :newb:)

Thanks in advance.
 
Just like on a Chevy the VIN (or partial vin) will be stamped on the block and transmission.

The 9-71 is most likely the build month and year. Nothing strange here, model year starts before the actual year (72s hit the showroom floor around September of 71).

Not sure where the vin is stamped on a 72 block, I think it's around the oil pan rail.
 
There should be a casting # on the block directly under the dr side head in the front. This willl give you the eng size & date when decoded. Then if it's relatively close to the vin date it's probably a matching eng. My 318 is a 72 block & that's where my Stamp is located.
 
The vin. numbers on the engine will be found below the passenger side motor mount. Just above the oil pan should be a machined surface with the vin stamped in it. Hard to see and usually covered in oil and dirt.

The transmission is same passenger side machined surface just above pan on trans near dipstick tube.
 
Wow!, zhandfull,OwdKasd,1968FormulaS340, thanks so much for the quick responses. I'll get her up on stands and look for those numbers.

And again, Thanks!
 
Maybe the 340's are different. My 318 is right there in the front under the head. Checked it easily from the top. The heads are a different story. Need to pull V/C's and look for casting #'s.
 
OwdKasd said:
Maybe the 340's are different. My 318 is right there in the front under the head. Checked it easily from the top.
Click to expand...

All the small block engines have that stamping and your information was good. To check for numbers matching vin. need to check the pan rail on cars after 68
 
From what I know if there isn't a number stamped on the block at all it would be a warranty replacement motor, that's what mine is. Those cars had the 50,000 mile warranty on everything and the way people "beat" these cars back in the day a good number were replaced for one reason or another.
 
zhandfull said:
The vin. numbers on the engine will be found below the passenger side motor mount. Just above the oil pan should be a machined surface with the vin stamped in it. Hard to see and usually covered in oil and dirt.

The transmission is same passenger side machined surface just above pan on trans near dipstick tube.
Click to expand...
So just to be clear, Is there an actual VIN on the engine & Tranny? Sorry if that's a dumb question. I'm Trying to find it right now. LOL
 
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