Post by 69fstbck on Jun 30, 2008 8:07:09 GMT -6
Does my car have "Matching Numbers"?
Matching Numbers has to do with the fact that the motor that was in the car when it was built... is still the motor that is in the car now...
Don't trust only the engine series/date code!
This is a very important option, The Engine! Many people think because the proper year and engine code is stamped on the pad, on the top of the engine (usually behind the alternator, front or top of block) that they have the original motor, especially if it reads E 440 hp and you own a 69 Roadrunner.All that tells me is it's a 69 440 hp engine, and nothing else. You don't know how many 69 440 engines have been in and out of that car in the last 25 or so years. This code is only good for junk yard searches (engines with no car). The only time I use this is to save checking any farther, if it's not right.There is useful information here, don't get me wrong, but nothing to prove it came from the factory with that car. Some of the older big blocks had the date on the top boss pad, but that would be the engine assembly date. This is part of the Engine serial numbers, not the VIN number.
Here's where to look for Proof!
Jack up the right side (passenger side) of the car and get under it. On the RIGHT side of the block just above the oil pan lip towards the front, there is a flat, smooth "boss pad". On this pad you should find the same numbers (a little sand paper and light solvent might help) as the VIN number on the dash, or radiator cradle, or plate on the door, or fender plate under the hood... it depends on the year. 1969 or previous cars had the complete VIN# on the block, 1970 and up cars had the sequence numbers only, (the last 6 or 8 digits of the VIN number).
Radiator Cradle.....One of the many spots your VIN number is stamped, is on the frame holding your radiator. Sometimes it is on the top, or side, or inside top... but it should be there "somewhere". It should also match your other VIN numbers as well to support the fact that the car is complete and unharmed.
Broadcast Sheets... Can be found "normally" under the rear seat "back" (not the seat portion... the BACK portion). This will give you all of the various codes that were set up by Chrysler Corporation, when your car was scheduled to be built.
Matching Numbers has to do with the fact that the motor that was in the car when it was built... is still the motor that is in the car now...
Don't trust only the engine series/date code!
This is a very important option, The Engine! Many people think because the proper year and engine code is stamped on the pad, on the top of the engine (usually behind the alternator, front or top of block) that they have the original motor, especially if it reads E 440 hp and you own a 69 Roadrunner.All that tells me is it's a 69 440 hp engine, and nothing else. You don't know how many 69 440 engines have been in and out of that car in the last 25 or so years. This code is only good for junk yard searches (engines with no car). The only time I use this is to save checking any farther, if it's not right.There is useful information here, don't get me wrong, but nothing to prove it came from the factory with that car. Some of the older big blocks had the date on the top boss pad, but that would be the engine assembly date. This is part of the Engine serial numbers, not the VIN number.
Here's where to look for Proof!
Jack up the right side (passenger side) of the car and get under it. On the RIGHT side of the block just above the oil pan lip towards the front, there is a flat, smooth "boss pad". On this pad you should find the same numbers (a little sand paper and light solvent might help) as the VIN number on the dash, or radiator cradle, or plate on the door, or fender plate under the hood... it depends on the year. 1969 or previous cars had the complete VIN# on the block, 1970 and up cars had the sequence numbers only, (the last 6 or 8 digits of the VIN number).
Radiator Cradle.....One of the many spots your VIN number is stamped, is on the frame holding your radiator. Sometimes it is on the top, or side, or inside top... but it should be there "somewhere". It should also match your other VIN numbers as well to support the fact that the car is complete and unharmed.
Broadcast Sheets... Can be found "normally" under the rear seat "back" (not the seat portion... the BACK portion). This will give you all of the various codes that were set up by Chrysler Corporation, when your car was scheduled to be built.