1968 Plymouth road runner 383 4sp

[1778ppr]

This is my project car. It is a 1968 Plymouth road runner sedan with a 383 engine, 4 speed. I think it is a numbers matching car with the following options; power steering, deluxe interior, sure grip rear end, power disc brakes, am 8 track player, chrome package, tinted windows. I was hoping the numbers guys can help me out as I go. I have owned this car since 1986. I bought it in California while in the USMC and brought it back home with me. The goal is to get the car streetable again in about a year. The first time around will only be to get it running. I plan to do a full restoration to factory original sometime in the future. I have a list of things I plan to do to get her running that I will cover as I go.
The pictures show what the car looked like when I bought it. View attachment 165519View attachment 165520View attachment 165521View attachment 165522View attachment 165523View attachment 165524View attachment 165525View attachment 165517View attachment 165516View attachment 165515View attachment 165513View attachment 165514

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And the way it sits now. How did I let this happen?

 

['67Satellite]

Looks really solid. Cool car, well optioned. Great story, not many guys have owned a car that long. Welcome to FBBO and Semper Fi!

 

[roadrunnerman]

Nice looking car. I see the "critters" used the top of your motor for their open deck skylight.

 

[charger360]

Nice car, you have a lot to work with there! looks like you will be getting into the engine! i bet there are some little furry beast living in it!

 

[hunt2elk]

Welcome to the site. That is a great looking project - keep us posted with your progress.

 

[1778ppr]

1968 Numbers Game

The first thing to do is find out what I have. I have started recording the numbers on the car and parts. I’m pretty sure the car is mostly original. I still want to go through and check what parts are on the car and all the other parts I have collected over the years sitting on shelves and all over the place.

VIN RM21H8A203926

R(Car Line): Plymouth
M(Price Class): Medium
21(Body Type): 2 door sedan
H(Engine): 383 High Performance
8(Model Year): 1968
A(Assembly Plant): Lynch Road
203926(Vehicle Sequence Number)




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1968 Body Code Plate

m=6: Driver's Outside Remote Operated Mirror
u=1: Sold Car When Built (Somebody Ordered It)
D=9: Front Disk Brakes
F=0: Decor Package
H=1: Power Brakes
P=6: Rear Seat Speaker
R=0: AM 8-Track Radio
T=7: Tachometer
X=1: Tinted Glass (all)
2=5: Drip Rail Moldings
4=7: 'B' Pillar Moldings (for coupe)
AX=48: 3.23 Rear Axle Ratio, Sure Grip
TRM=H4X: High Trim Grade, Vinyl Split Bench Seats. Black Interior.
PNT=EE1: Paint Midnight Blue Metallic (Plymouth)
UBS=B W: Black (Dodge, Plymouth), Upper Door Frame Color. White Horizontal Accent Stripe.
RM21(Body Code)lymouth RoadRunner 2 Door Pillar Coupe
62(Engine Code): 383cid 4-bbl HP V8
3 (Transmission Code): 4-Speed Manual Floor Shift
44 (Tire Code): F70x14 Red Sidewall, Steel Belted
102 052401(Sale Order Number): MODEL YEAR: 1968 BUILD DATE: January 02.

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This pictures is the number stamped on the radiator support. I have not found the one in the trunk yet. Does anyone know that location?
To decode the numbers and find out what the part numbers and casting numbers should be I have been using a ’68 Plymouth Parts Catalog, ’68 Plymouth Service Manual, a Direct Connection (DC) Performance Book, various DC and Mopar Performance (MP) catalogs, and of course the internet.



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No surprises here except the white stripe. I don’t think that is decoded correctly.

 

[tallhair]

rear one is under the weather strip on the drivers side trunk rail near the corner toward the rear window. Look at it from underneath or peal it off if your gonna replace anyway.

 

[1778ppr]

Casting Numbers and symbols

The intake casting number is 2806301. Above the casting number is a “Penstar” a “2” and a symbol that looks similar to a “triangle with a circle” in it. Below the casting number is “1 2 X 8”. Next to the casting number to the left in the photo is a symbol with ten “dots” and an “arrow” kind of like a clock dial. I assume that these all represent the foundry, date, shift number, mold number? etc.
Does anyone know how to decode the casting numbers and symbols? What means what?
Thanks for any help.
John
Tallhair I still have not gotten around to looking under the weather strip in the trunk. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Basket case]

Thank you for your service.
Beautiful car. And it's called real life, and it does suck some times. But at least you hung onto the car. I like the plan, get it drivable and have some fun with it.

 

[Snowtrooper1966]

The casting numbers u refer to above decodes as a period correct 68-69 383 4bbl mani

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Casting numbers for the engine block will be below the passenger side exhaust manifold:

block ID will be on small flat pad to the left of the distributor:

 

[Basket case]

F means it's a '70 block

 

[1778ppr]

Thanks for the information gentleman. How do you know what means what? How do you decode the casting information? Is there a book or a website that explains or decodes them? I have only been able to find decodes for the fender tag VIN and build sheet.
Basketcase,
I have another 1969 rr that is not in as good of condition. I plan to restofy that one up nice once I get this one streetable. What I learn on the ’69 will make this ’68 that much better when I get around to a full restore someday.

 

[Basket case]

Year One used to have the numbers info in their catalogs.
lots of good info from the guys right here.
looking at your pics, that '68 looks like it just needs a good cleaning.

 

[roadrunnerh]

Dave is correct about the F = 1970. The 1968's have the end of the VIN stamped at the top of the rear of the motor where it mounts to the tranny bell housing. The tranny # is right next to the VIN on the motor. #'s matching or not, you have a nice ride to start with!

 

[1970 roadrunner lover]

that is a nice car I like the 383 4 speed combo