AAR 'Cuda Dealer Warranty Engine Replacement Question

[boudin]

Currently restoring an AAR, which is matching #s except for the motor. Story from the original owner is that the engine was replaced under warranty in 1970 due to a spun bearing. However, since I have no warranty paperwork, so I can't really confirm the story.

Motor that came with the car is a period correct 340, but NOT a TA block. If the motor was replaced under warranty, I would have thought that a TA motor would have been used? What do you think the likelihood? I know that bare TA blocks were available, but what about complete warranty motors? Any help would be appreciated.

Block that came with the car is:

PART # 2780930-340-8
SERIAL: FW340P31150382

Thanks,
-Greg

[anlauto]

I would think that at that time....they would have replaced it with whatever they had, which was most likely a regular 340.

[boudin]

I would think that at that time....they would have replaced it with whatever they had, which was most likely a regular 340.

We are rebuilding the existing 340 and it will stay with the car, unless by some miracle I find the original block. At the very least I have a good story to tell about why the block is not matching #s. Everything else matches, though: dash, door tag, fender tag, trans, cowl and core support. Found the broadcast sheet under the rear seat too.

-Greg

[anlauto]

What options does the car have ? Anything "extra cool "

[74 challenge]

What options does the car have ? Anything "extra cool "

I hope it has your favorite option - Body line moulding lol.

[boudin]

Have some fun and decode it. I did this in Excel to send out for a remake of the fender tag. Had to figure out the missing parts of the tag from the broadcast sheet.

[AARuFAST]

Do the heads have the offset rocker arms or tapper.......?

[RzeroB]

My understanding is if there is a partial VIN stamped on the engine's VIN pad then it is NOT a warranty block. Warranty blocks supposedly came with a clean VIN pad. But then again I have also heard that partial VIN stampings on the VIN pad have been machined off to create the illusion of it being a warranty block. Also my understanding is that warranty short blocks came with a service tag attached to right hand side of the block near the forward freeze plug.

On the other hand, at least the blocks serial number indicates that it is date correct: The "F" indicates that it is a 1970 model year block and the "3115" indicates that it was built on February 6th 1970.

[boudin]

Do the heads have the offset rocker arms or tapper.......?

No offset, and no adjustable rockers.

-Greg

[boudin]

My understanding is if there is a partial VIN stamped on the engine's VIN pad then it is NOT a warranty block. Warranty blocks supposedly came with a clean VIN pad. But then again I have also heard that partial VIN stampings on the VIN pad have been machined off to create the illusion of it being a warranty block. Also my understanding is that warranty short blocks came with a service tag attached to driver's side of the block near the forward freeze plug.

On the other hand, at least the blocks serial number indicates that it is date correct: The "F" indicates that it is a 1970 model year block and the "3115" indicates that it was built on February 6th 1970.

Question I have is were there really "warranty" blocks, or just over-the-counter race blocks w/o serial numbers? Would the dealer be expected to build an engine, or just drop-in a crated long block?

Good info about the service tag... what would that tag look like?

Also, what is this stamping? (see red arrow in photo)

-Greg

[RzeroB]

Question I have is were there really "warranty" blocks, or just over-the-counter race blocks w/o serial numbers? Would the dealer be expected to build an engine, or just drop-in a crated long block?

Good info about the service tag... what would that tag look like?

Also, what is this stamping? (see red arrow in photo)

-Greg

My understanding is that dealerships did not build engines from bare blocks - they used factory built short or long blocks - what determined which one they used I don't know.

The service tag was a five sided blue and whit tag about about the same size as the freeze plug and attached to the block with a single rivet.

The stamping in the above pic looks like a misaligned "maltese cross" stamp which would indicate that the the crankshaft was .001 undersized from the factory.

[boudin]

Good info. Thanks, Tom.

[AARTA340]

I have seen the maltese cross on  the upper pad of big block motors and it designated the presence of undersize bearings used. Not sure if it is the same for small blocks. Possibly, it is the place they could stamp it. It will be interesting if anyone else has some info. My car was made the day before according to the SPD. I like your color!! Beats my FF4

Question I have is were there really "warranty" blocks, or just over-the-counter race blocks w/o serial numbers? Would the dealer be expected to build an engine, or just drop-in a crated long block?

Good info about the service tag... what would that tag look like?

Also, what is this stamping? (see red arrow in photo)

-Greg

[boudin]

Got my replacement fender tags from A. G. Backeast. Fast service! Took less than a week.

[anlauto]

You never said the car was a bench seat column auto.....That's pretty rare and unique for an AAR