Hey guys I have an all original 1963 Dodge 880 with v8 but don't know how to tell if it has the 361 or 383 engine in it. How can I ID this beast ? Any help would be appreciated thanks.
The B Engine (Low Deck) has the engine size stamped on the pad near the distributor right near the end of the head.
A quick note- the ID pad on RB engines is hidden under the AC compressor brackets (if equipped with AC).
yes mine has a/c and very hard to get under it so I'm wondering if the vin tag at the drivers door would tell me ?
If it is a 361 or 383 as you said, it will be near the distributor, not in the centre like a raised block
They started doing that in 1966, yours will not. Look on the block, down by the distributor, it will say either 36 if it's a 361 or 38 if it's a 383
I've looked in all the sugested places and came up with nothing,I guess I'm going to break out the power waser and really blow this baby down.
Nope, they started stamping the partial VIN on the pan rail in the 1968 model year, as a Federal requirement. Earlier engines do not have this. I have the original 361 in the '66 Coronet I've owned since 1980 (second owner from new, BTW), plus two other Feb '67 383 castings and a '67 440...NONE of these are VIN-stamped. However, my '69 440, and my two '75 440 blocks DO have partial VINs on them.
He was asking about finding the engine size in the VIN on the car body. Not the VIN on the block, which is what you're talking about
The VIN in 1966 does show the engine displacement, you are correct. My brain was thinking about the engine stamping/casting. From 1965 back, though, all that can be gleaned from a VIN is whether it's a Six or an Eight.
I'm just wondering if parts are interchangeable like if I order a water pump for an early 383 and I have a 361 ? I know I need some parts but having a hard time with what it is. You see I've had the car for about 5 years. My friend gave me the car and he's the original owner. He drove it out here to Phx. from Detroit a long long time ago.I've worked with the man for 25 years,his wife is gone and he is very sick now and I told him I'm gonna get the old Dodge up and running again. My wife and I are going to make a trip on old Route 66 with it and he was all excited about that cause thats how him and his wife drove out here in it.I'm going to do the brakes,water pump,tires,etc.He's on an oxygen machine and receiving Ho****e care at home so I have to get busy.I told him that when it's running I'd bring it over for him to see and he was all smiles.The thing has a perfect body and the interior is real nice so it will shine up pretty good.Anyway thats what I'm doing and thats why I'm asking dumb questions. Thank you all for your help.
Chevy guys mostly ***** about how the mounts and bellhousings are different for every engine family...not as bad as Fords, but not near as easy to swap as Chevys
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