What is considered a "Date Code Correct" engine for a 1970 'Cuda?

[1970cuda383]

This may have been covered somewhere else in the forum, but my search didn't provide any solid answers. I have also searched online and found lots of suggestions but no concrete answers.

For my 1970 'Cuda built in July of 1970 (fender tag reads 706 for the build date), what would be a date code correct engine for the car? Additionally, how far back could the date code be to still be considered correct?

Thank you!

[70chall440]

as I recall this is a hot point of discussion, but I "believe" that about 2 months is around acceptable; so if your car was made in July a May build for the engine might be ok. There are guys like Alan and Cody on here are that have far better knowledge on it. I have a little because my Challenger has an Oct build date and the Engine has an August build date and when I got it I was asking the same question. Turned out to be irrelevant because the engine was definitely out of something else and I figured out that the PO was trying to through a quick build together and was going to try and say is was "original" to some unsuspecting person. Fate intervened and supposedly he passed away before this could happen and when I got it, it was merely a project. The VIN on the engine and trans indicated they were out of a C body I believe. Also the engine wasn't a HP model (no stamp) which was the thing that started me looking hard at it.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but it gives you an idea at least.

[Chryco Psycho]

3-4 months is typical , but to me it makes no difference , the wrong block is the wrong block so personally I could care less if the date is close or not

[70chall440]

  well there is that... 

Guess we could start a new category of the hobby; we could call it the "same vintage" class and invent all manner of rules to govern it... sorry its Friday. 

[1 Wild R/T]

There are rules & exceptions to the rule... My Challenger does have it's original engine & the block was cast three days before the SPD of the vehicle... The engine was assembled six days after the SPD & the  rear axle was assembled ten days after the SPD......  The car was built twelve days after the SPD....

And honestly it doesn't matter, when your driving it you'll never see a single date code...

[rUNCHARGER]

Somewhere between 1 month and around 4 months before your SPD. I have had two 71 Hemi cars and their original blocks were both cast in November 68, but Hemi's are more specialized than wedges.

Sheldon

[1970cuda383]

Thank you to all who have responded so far! I really appreciate all of you taking the time on a Friday evening to answer my question.

[AARTA340]

A little more info on this. My 1970 Dealer Promo RT/SE car has a SPD date of 802. This one had every option available ordered at the time. Because of the new model year, many of the parts were late in getting to the line. A few of the options were power windows, ac, disc brakes, rear defrost, am/fm radio, cruise control, rear luggage rack. Even with the early SPD of 802, the car did not roll out of the factory until early September. The door vin label supports the build time as it is 9/69. So in respect, it is possible for a vehicle to have a engine built after the SPD. This is something I will have to follow up on, as now I am curious as to the engine build. Never gave it a thought until now. I have some of the original dealer order form and will have to look at it as well.

[1 Wild R/T]

A little more info on this. My 1970 Dealer Promo RT/SE car has a SPD date of 802. This one had every option available ordered at the time. Because of the new model year, many of the parts were late in getting to the line. A few of the options were power windows, ac, disc brakes, rear defrost, am/fm radio, cruise control, rear luggage rack. Even with the early SPD of 802, the car did not roll out of the factory until early September. The door vin label supports the build time as it is 9/69. So in respect, it is possible for a vehicle to have a engine built after the SPD. This is something I will have to follow up on, as now I am curious as to the engine build. Never gave it a thought until now. I have some of the original dealer order form and will have to look at it as well.

When I got my Challenger vert it had been in a barn since 76, The first 6.5 years it got beat pretty hard but I expected it to have it's original engine... When I pulled it apart & saw the casting date I was a little concerned.. Then I saw the VIN matched & I had more questions than answers... I did allot of reading, wound up getting ahold of Galen back when he was still talking to normal guys... Eventually I had him authenticate/appraise & generally inspect my car.. He confirmed the numbers match but even he had to do some research before he was able to verify the odd dates being correct...  When I built the car I was seriously into date codes, correct details etc.. Since then I've gone back to my earlier belief that the fun is in driving the cars & all these anal details detract from the experience...

[mofish]

I agree with you Wild, I used to worry about numbers matching this and that. Since I am a bit older and don't have a numbers matching car...I just want to fix it, drive it and enjoy it.

[1970cuda383]

I want to thank everyone for their generous input on this topic. A lot of great information from all you!

[73_Cuda_4_Me]

Date code should be something like this...

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Date code should be something like this...

 

Thats the date the block was cast, the assembly date is more critical...

[73_Cuda_4_Me]

Thanks for this, 1 Wild.... is the engine assembly date stamped on engine? I just happen to have both 340 engines out and accessible, for winter project fix-em-ups...

[73_Cuda_4_Me]

 

Answered my own question.... my 70 is 340P31840248... assembled Day 3184, so is Thursday, April 16, 1970...