BB engine casting date info needed

[66plysat]

I bought a 440 engine and just finished tearing it down for rebuild. Problem is the casting date on the block reads either 4-10-73 or 4-10-78 the last number is not clear to read. The block number is 3698830-440-8. Is there another way to identify whether this is a 73 or 78 engine, I haven't found any other numbers on the block that might ID the casting date. Since a 73 would be a non smog engine and a 78 a smogged engine would anthing on the block be different between the two years to show its smogged or not? Not thinking about smogging it, just want to narrow down the possible year of the block.

 

[Propwash]

Yup............Look on your top engine pad in front of your intake.... A 1973 block will have a "J" stamp on it. A 1978 will have a "8T" stamp on it.

Good luck with your build...

Check it out: http://www.moparengineswest.com/Stampings.htm

 

[66plysat]

Thanks for the info, the stamping couldn't be seen due to the crud on the pad, a little cleaning revealed J440 4 16 E2...Thanks to your info it looks like its a 1973, the 4 16 must be the day it was cast, do you know what the E2 means?

 

[Propwash]

66Plysat,

E stands for cast crank............Majority of RB blocks out there will have that. The 2 i'm not sure of.