The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Hi I own a 1974 dodge challenger with the number at the front drivers side of the block being 02210839, I believe it to be a 318ci, as 1974 only come with 318 or 360, I can not reference this number anywhere on the net, I thought there would be some reference to the VIN sequential number within this number, can someone help me with this please.
Much appreciated.
Smitsy

Was that number stamped just under the head on the front drivers side?

To find other numbers such as the VIN;

http://challenger.mpoli.fi/forum/viewto ... =4119#4119

If you look on the side of the block there will be a large casting number which will tell you what block it is. There will also be a casting date.

yes the number was just under the drivers side head, I ahve found the build date no worries...but just trying to reference these numbers, so far no luck...does this number 02210839 mean anything to anyone...or is this not the actual engine no?
By the way thanks for the site, in one hour I have found more info than I have found in the last week...Cheers

I know roughly where to look going by the diagrams u have provided, the only thing is I will have to have it up on a ramp to get a descent view, having extractors in the way is a bit of a pain, but this will be the next step.

There used to be a great engine decoder tech article on the Year One website but ever since they updated their website it has not worked.

On that it told you exactly what was in that number. I can't remember myself. But I do seem to remember that the engine size was usually a part of that number and in your case it seems to be missing.

Ah!

Here you go.

http://www.yearone.com/updatedsinglepag ... bers4.html

yeah, seems like it...I have 3 numbers at the moment.

1. top RH Panel under windsceen area = 84 282252 (matches VIN) not
sure what 84 is though.
2. Passenger side of block just above sumpline = 3b366597
3. Drivers side front of block = 02210839

So looks like a bit more study for me yet, however anyone out there think they can crack these codes, I welcome any help, and appriciate all the help so far.

Can you print the VIN please?

"84" will be B4. Which on the VIN will be 4B meaning 1974 model built at Hamtramck.

Smitsy wrote:2. Passenger side of block just above sumpline = 3b366597

Your engine is a year older than your car. Not the original engine.

Smitsy, are you saying you're not sure if its a 318 or 360? (Bet you hoping it was a 340!). It should be cast into the lower LHS block with a dash number after it, Eg 318-4 or 360-7

JH23B252252 the build date on the block is 02.06.73. its not a big deal if it is not the original donk, Im kinda hoping it would it be a 340 or 360, I cant imagine they would swap a 318 for another 318, If they have i will have to shake my head in disbelief...And wonder why.

Yeah the engine is over a year younger than your car so not the original engine.

The casting number on the side will tell you what the block is.

http://www.yearone.com/updatedsinglepag ... mbers.html

If he cant find any numbers there is a sure fire way to tell from the front of the oil pan. 360 Oil Pans are unique.

Looking at the tiny pic on the profile avatar, it looks like a good score. Love the colour - is that B5 and original? Someone's painted the hood decal or put one on - always a good touch. What colour interior? Post some larger pics sometime

airfuelEddie wrote:If he cant find any numbers there is a sure fire way to tell from the front of the oil pan. 360 Oil Pans are unique.

Really? In what way? I thought they were the same as the 318 as they use the same crank etc.

I really should try to learn more about the LA engines.

I'm pretty sure the front of the sump is wider and the distance from the front seal flange to the bottom of the sump is narrower. The 360 has pretty large mains. The 273/318/340 all have the same mains which are smaller than the 360's. Here's a pic of what I did to measue the front seal flange on a spare 360 Oil Pan which is wider&deeper than the other smallblocks. The measurement is 9.55 inches from flange end to flange end as shown in the pic. I used a piece of tape on both ends to measure the radius around the flange. A piece of decal would also work. Anyone with a 318 pan can do the same and compare to my measurements to be absolutely sure this info is accurate. Hope this helps

The distance from the bottom of the flange to the bottom of the pan is 1.25" as shown here.

What engine is your car supposed to have? You are missing a couple VIN characters.

You listed your VIN as JH23B252252. It should be JH23-4B252252
This is mine................JH23G3B159---

G is 318
H is 340 (not available in 74)
? is 360 (not available before 74 in E-body)

Some more pictures of the Challenger, Actually I have just noticed there is some more numbers beside the number on the block, When I get home I will scrape that back, just at a glance I would say it says 318. Dang!...I was hoping for a 340.
Going by the fender tag the car was originally Eggshell white with a black vinyl roof, black Interior. I kinda like the blue, very nice in the sun.
She has some cancer on the body in the usual places, I'll attack that in time.

Looks really nice.

yes thats correct Ed, the 360 pan is unique and not interchangeable with its smaller brothers. It would be a bit tedious to look under the car and see that straight away unless you had seen hundreds of them. Another way, don't forget is that ALL 360's had a cast crank and were externally balanced, therefore have the bigger harmonic balancer.

Pictures of your car just came through - wow, that's a real nice 73. Best one i have seen in Oz (Not many in Perth). Paint looks mint, the bonnet is like glass. Looks like someone has spent a lot of time on it - love the interior - factory inserts, if not they look it. Looks like someone has covered the rear side paneling with vinyl? Neat job. Hope its 340. You know it has 72 bumpers on rear? Front too, if there are no holes for the 5mph impact over-riders.

Took me 2 minutes. But to each his own Good Luck&nice call on the Damper Steve!

looks like the engine number ended up being 34318 ******* so I think I can safely say its a 318, so much for hoping, however its a strong motor with a new auto behind it, so thats the expensive part out of the way.
Cheers very much for the infromation you have provided here, I ended up getting exactly what I wanted and more and no doubt this will be a great source of valuable information for a lot of other people aswell. I have asked a lot of other groups much the same questions and not had the results I have been given here. Its good to find a group that share the same interests and acually know what there talking about.
Thank you guys

airfuelEddie wrote:Took me 2 minutes. But to each his own!

what i meant was, if someone who wasn't sure what they were looking for, stuck their head under the car and looked at the sump, they might find it hard to tell if it had the bigger rear sump opening. Unless they had seen lots of both types and knew exactly the size to look for.

I know i would, unless i was armed with the same measurment you described in that picture

You're absolutely right Steve! BTW, If it were mine, I wouldnt care about whether he has a 318 or 360, it's much to nice to worry about that. Later 'IF' HighPerf. is your 'bag' when money allows a 'concourse' restored 416 Smallblock stroker painted the same colour with stock aircleaner and exhaust manifolds, would set most anyone straight!