No VIN stampings found on my engine or trans? • 2 • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **dave-r** » 08 Mar 2007 13:53

Thats OK I knew that. It all seems to fit close to the actual build of the car.
I wonder if the original engine OR trans had problems as soon as it was fired up and they dropped a warranty engine/box in its place.

The engine and trans on these cars came as a unit and were put in the car from underneith as a bigger unit with the k-frame and suspension.

I am wondering if it might have been easier for them to lift the original engine and trans off as a unit and replace the whole lot because they were set up to move them around like that already?? They were stamped with part of the VIN before they were mounted to the k-frame and installed in the car. So maybe this engine and trans got into the car before they could stamp the details on there.

In that case it might have been easier to stamp somewhere else on the block and trans from under the car.

That sounds reasonable don't you think? Or is my imagination running away with me here? :shock:

by **R/T Rick** » 08 Mar 2007 22:31

Sounds reasonable to me! i will have to clean everything and take a closer look. What about that big goofy looking "S" on the top pad? Does this engine and trans make the car worth less or less desirable? I Myself would like to think not!

by **Eddie** » 08 Mar 2007 23:08

R/T Rick wrote:Sounds reasonable to me! i will have to clean everything and take a closer look. What about that big goofy looking "S" on the top pad? Does this engine and trans make the car worth less or less desirable? I Myself would like to think not!

Hell NO!! It's very valuable and I wouldn't change a thing!

by **R/T Rick** » 09 Mar 2007 0:03

I don't plan on changing anything, just want the mystery solved! :roll:

by **472 R/T SE** » 09 Mar 2007 4:13

For worth, I would say somewhere below matching #'s and above incorrect (off year's), if that makes sense. After all, it's year correct and IMO that's the next best thing to #'s matching.
That is unless you somehow link the two to being original than the above statement is null and void. :s008:

by **R/T Rick** » 09 Mar 2007 22:01

Are there any other good Challenger forums out there that might know what is going here?

by **christer** » 09 Mar 2007 22:07

R/T Rick wrote:Are there any other good Challenger forums out there that might know what is going here?

You can try http://www.cuda-challenger.com/ but I doubt that you will get any better answers there.

by **Eddie** » 10 Mar 2007 1:49

christer wrote:
R/T Rick wrote:Are there any other good Challenger forums out there that might know what is going here?

You can try http://www.cuda-challenger.com/ but I doubt that you will get any better answers there.

Nobody is ever on there. :cry:

by **R/T Rick** » 10 Mar 2007 3:49

Well, thanks for everyones opinion. I think this is going to be a dead subject soon. :cry:

Too bad, it is a good mystery and possibly a huge factory goof. :shock:

by **Alaskan_TA** » 10 Mar 2007 5:46

Have you done the things I suggested yet? Just curious.......

Barry

by **R/T Rick** » 12 Mar 2007 13:18

Barry,
I have cleaned everything this weekend. There are no signs of a VIN stamped anywhere! I looked very, very closely for hours.

I need further input to put me in the right direction or maybe I should just let it be.

by JJ » 12 Mar 2007 14:22

Did you check ALL the bolts for markings ? If there are no markings to see (with a good loupe !!!), then it is 99% factory stock. The other 1% would be, if they changed the bolts as well.

I agree with Dave. They could have changed the engine and trans as one unit in the factory.

by **R/T Rick** » 12 Mar 2007 17:48

What do you mean with a good loupe?

by JJ » 13 Mar 2007 1:16

R/T Rick, I mean when you check the bolts for markings, check with a magnifying glass. Sorry about the loupe thing. Take a 10x magnifyng glass, this is a watchmakers loupe, usually. You will see markings at the bolts, if someone openend and closed the bolts. If you can't see any marks on the bolt-head, then the chances are very good that the engine and trans are factory stock. Check ALL bolts ! Please let us know, I believe everyone is interested in this topic.

by **R/T Rick** » 13 Mar 2007 15:38

Thanks, will check it out today!

by **R/T Rick** » 15 Mar 2007 2:23

Well, I just looked at all the bolts after close inspection I cannot determine if they were turned or not. It appears that they have not been turned, but can't be totally sure. Now what?