O.K. here's my question, On my 68 300, the V.I.N.# is CM43K8C274548,Fender Tag, bottom# is CM43815614027, I was of the understanding these #'s were suppose to be the same, and then there is the stamped # on the motor, behind oil pan by the starter, on the machined surface, this # is 440P 24341089. Not sure when the V.I.N. was stamped on the block think it was 68,maybe 67. Why don't any of these numbers coincide? Any help would be appreciated. Thx. All.
Numbers and Letters: V.I.N./Fender Tag/Engine Stamp.
- Thread starter BigCRig
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VIN was stamped on 69 and later engines and I have read that it was on 68 high performance engines. I have never seen a 68 HP engine with the VIN stamp personally, so I can't verify that. Get the date code off the pad by the distributor to verify the year.
Bottom number on your fender tag is not the VIN. Google 68 Mopar fender tag decode and you'll find a bunch of pages on telling you what the numbers mean.
Bottom number on your fender tag is not the VIN. Google 68 Mopar fender tag decode and you'll find a bunch of pages on telling you what the numbers mean.
VIN was stamped to top rear of engine on bellhousing rail in 68 near OP sending unit on big block and top front of transmission on 727 Auto just opposite of the engine VIN
Never heard it was for HP only but was on 440 HP and 383 HP for sure
Never heard it was for HP only but was on 440 HP and 383 HP for sure
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thats not even right pertaining to the fender tag, lower right. They are pointing at the VON and calling it the UBS. I'm out of practice on this but the VON is on the tag and stamped in the body while the VIN is on the VIN tag, the engine and trans.(iirc)VIN was stamped on 69 and later engines and I have read that it was on 68 high performance engines. I have never seen a 68 HP engine with the VIN stamp personally, so I can't verify that. Get the date code off the pad by the distributor to verify the year.
Bottom number on your fender tag is not the VIN. Google 68 Mopar fender tag decode and you'll find a bunch of pages on telling you what the numbers mean.
69CoronetRT
Senior Member
Here's a description that may make sense. You should find something like: C8C****** (****** = your car's SO number from the tag) on the radiator support and.....?? (I do not know where the second stamp is on a '68 C body. On a B body it is on the trunk rail. Is it on the trunk rail on a C body too?).
The VIN could be on the engine and transmission. It may not be. I'd be interested to know if you find it.
69CoronetRT
Senior Member
this # is 440P 24341089
This number is the engine assembly number.
440= CID
P= Premium fuel
2434= engine assembly date in 10,000 day calendar format = Wednesday, March 27, 1968. You should find D 440 3 27 stamped on the pad on the driver's side of the block in front of the valley pan.
1089 = 1,089th engine assembled that day
This number is the engine assembly number.
440= CID
P= Premium fuel
2434= engine assembly date in 10,000 day calendar format = Wednesday, March 27, 1968. You should find D 440 3 27 stamped on the pad on the driver's side of the block in front of the valley pan.
1089 = 1,089th engine assembled that day
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I knew you'd be along to clarify, Doug. So the VON is different from SO?
69CoronetRT
Senior Member
Subtle nuance.
68 and earlier the SPD and 4-6 digit identifier was called the Shipping ( or sales) Order (SO)
69 and later, it's called the Vehicle Order Number (VON).
Why the change? Don't know. It's the same info. Possibly because the 68 SO number assignment is different than the 67 and more like 69. Was 68 a transition year?
thx. so much it's really hard to see the pad by the valley pan cause of the a/c pump.
you are refering to the one stamped on the motor/tranny by the op sending unit, if so it's hard to see but I'll get my 280 pd. arthritic body on top of the motor and see what I can do.
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patrick66
Old Man with a Hat
Federal Law (specifically, the FMVSS) made it mandatory for ALL new cars, starting in the 1968 model year, to have a partial VIN stamped on BOTH the engine and transmission. This was NOT a "383 and 440 only" thing - it was ALL cars sold new in the US from the 1968 MY on.
69CoronetRT
Senior Member
This topic is always controversial.
IF every plant was supposed to stamp the VIN and started at the same time, we would find all sorts of /6 and 318 cars from all the plants with a VIN. Every C body 383 and 440 would have a VIN. This is not the case. We find VINs from some plants early in the year and some have VINs later in the year.
I'm unaware of any credible published research on this topic. My personal theory is still under research.
The FMVSS "stamp numbers" were a part of one of the first vehicle anti-theft initiatives. Engine, Trans, Rear Axle had the numbers on them, as did several body panels. Seems like there were 7 "hidden numbers" on the cars? One under the deck lid weatherstrip? It was all about being able to put "stripped" cars back together for evidence and such, after they 'd been stolen and recovered. Made wrecking yard items traceable, too. Once a vehicle is in the ownership of a salvage yard operation, the operator is supposed to notify the state of the car's location, I believe, and how it came to be there. This kept the operators "honest", should a state operative come looking around (incognito or in uniform).
Some nefarious operatives would grind off the orig stamp numbers, then re-stamp the items with the numbers for the vehicle the motor/trans/etc. was going into. There allegedly was some means to "raise" the original stamping numbers, if needed. This was in the later 1960s when muscle car engines (especially HEMIs) were stolen out of cars in the owner's driveway, in the middle of the night, so the story goes.
Interesting information!
CBODY67
Some nefarious operatives would grind off the orig stamp numbers, then re-stamp the items with the numbers for the vehicle the motor/trans/etc. was going into. There allegedly was some means to "raise" the original stamping numbers, if needed. This was in the later 1960s when muscle car engines (especially HEMIs) were stolen out of cars in the owner's driveway, in the middle of the night, so the story goes.
Interesting information!
CBODY67
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