VIN verification on small blocks, 1973

[hemi68charger]

Hey gang..
Going to go check out a '73 340 Challenger for a friend who doesn't live in my neck of the woods. I'm familar with the body stampings on E-bodies, similar to the '71-'74 B-bodies. Are the '73's the same as the '71's? Cowl, trunk drip-trough? Anyone with a picture of the VIN machined area on a 340/small-block? Is it in the same place as the big blocks I'm accustomed to?  Anything else in '73 I should focus on?

Cheers,
Troy

[burdar]

The only VIN stampings on an E-body are on the cowl and rad support.  There are no stampings in the trunk area.

I believe the VIN stamping on the small blocks is just below the drivers side head in front.  I've never looked for one so I'm not 100% on that.

[Katfish]

VIN stamp on SB is on the passenger side, middle, right above the oil pan.

The year, build plant, and the last 6 of the vin will be on a pad on the pass side of the block right at the oil pan rail.

[Super Blue 72]

VIN stamp on SB is on the passenger side, middle, right above the oil pan.

The year, build plant, and the last 6 of the vin will be on a pad on the pass side of the block right at the oil pan rail.

   As far as the VIN goes, it is correct.

Burdar mentioned a stamping below the drivers side head.  There is a stamping there but not exactly sure what it is, perhaps telling what type of block it was originally?  I'm not sure.  I believe there may potentially be part of the VIN there but I know on my engine the VIN number was not there, but I do remember it said something like 340R, for regular gas or something.  Maybe someone else will chime in.

Be carefull looking for this number as it is not as deeply embossed on the block as the number by the oil pan and using a sharp instrument to take off paint to read it may actually destroy the number there. 

[burdar]

Is the stamping under the head the engine assembly date? 

[Super Blue 72]

Possibly.  I think it may have the assembly plant info too.  All I remember is that my numbers weren't complete according to a post about this matter, perhaps it was the VIN number/date on there.    I sort of remember HR 340R or something like that...

Here is a good read on the engine "stampings", not the casting numbers.

http://www.yearone.com/updatedsinglepages/id_info/mopar/mopar%20casting%20numbers/castingnumbers4.html

['Cuda Hunter]

I have only seen the vin on the rail above the oil pan. 
The other stamps on an engine are just specific engine designation.
I do believe the trunk rail stamp is on big cars only.   Well bigger than ebodies anyway.