Error in Hemmings Muscle Machines

[family_dodge]

Question about the May 2017 issues of this magazine:

They published an article in their "buyer's guide" column profiling the '69 Charger R/T. In the article, they discuss why the car is a great investment choice, and what options were available in 1969 for the Charger R/T.

OK, so I'm new to all of this, and the article was helpful. I'm still learning quite a bit (I recently inherited a great treasure: Dad's '69 Charger), so I'm trying to figure out all the numbers and options for the car. To give you an idea of where I'm at, I just watched a 1930s video describing the Chrysler rear differential (wow, that was great) and then later, discovered who this Galin Govier guy is.

My questions:

1. This says the VIN code "J" indicates a 426-V8 and "L" indicates a 440-V4 engine. Is that correct? I'm thinking they have a major typo in here (twice).

2. In the description of the differential, the table shows that each of these rear axle differentials were available for both the 440 and 426:
  automatic 3.23:1
  manual 3.54:1
  automatic 3.55:1
  manual and automatic 4.10:1

But in two different older articles I read about the Charger 500 (which had body variations, but I thought was basically a more aerodynamic R/T), it said the 3.54:1 was standard for the four-speed 500. So was there a differential change for the '69 Charger 500? Or are there two problems in the Hemmings Muscle Machines article?

Thanks for helping me get this down.

Article Referenced
Litwin, Matthew. "Quick Buyer's Guide: 1969 Dodge Charger R/T." Hemmings Muscle Machines. May 2017. (40–43).

[Bronzedodge]

The engine codes are correct.  In 1969 L is the code for a 440, J is the code for the Hemi.  They did not get too detailed about the axle ratios, but a 4 speed Hemi car would have a Dana.  The Dana ratios are indeed 3.54 vs 3.55 for the 8 3/4 rear.  The 4.10 ratio works out the same between the two ring and pinion sets.

[69CoronetRT]

The 8.75 with 3.23 gears was standard behind the automatic. The 8.75 3:55 gear was optional as well as the Dana with 4:10.

The Dana with 3:54 as standard with the four speed. The Dana with 4:10 was optional.

[6bblgt]

actually .....  

1969 Charger R/T (& 500 & Daytona)

440HP (L-code) engine & 727 automatic transmission & 3.23:1 geared non-Sure Grip 8-3/4" rear axle are STANDARD

OPTIONAL ENGINE: 426 HEMI (J-code) (~$650) - NO additional requirements

OPTIONAL TRANSMISSION: 4-speed manual transmission at No/Charge - but you must order an "AXLE PACKAGE"
available 3.54:1 DANA 60 package (~$140)
available 4.10:1 DANA 60 package (~$250)

rear axle:
440 w/Auto - 3.23 8-3/4 w/o SG STANDARD, 3.23 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL $, 3.55 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL $, 4.10 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $
440 w/4spd - 3.54 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $, 4.10 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $
HEMI w/Auto - 3.23 8-3/4 w/o SG STANDARD, 3.23 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL  $, 3.55 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL $, 4.10 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $
HEMI w/4spd - 3.54 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $, 4.10 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $

Air Conditioning is ONLY available on 440HP equipped automatic Charger R/T & Charger 500 with:
3.23 8-3/4 w/o SG STANDARD, 3.23 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL, 3.55 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL

[family_dodge]

The engine codes are correct.  In 1969 L is the code for a 440, J is the code for the Hemi.  They did not get too detailed about the axle ratios, but a 4 speed Hemi car would have a Dana.  The Dana ratios are indeed 3.54 vs 3.55 for the 8 3/4 rear.  The 4.10 ratio works out the same between the two ring and pinion sets.

So the Magnum 440 ci engine is a four cylinder engine?

[BLK 68 R/T]

The engine codes are correct.  In 1969 L is the code for a 440, J is the code for the Hemi.  They did not get too detailed about the axle ratios, but a 4 speed Hemi car would have a Dana.  The Dana ratios are indeed 3.54 vs 3.55 for the 8 3/4 rear.  The 4.10 ratio works out the same between the two ring and pinion sets.

So the Magnum 440 ci engine is a four cylinder engine?

Serious question...?

440 is most definitely a V8.

[family_dodge]

Right. That's what I was asking in question 1.
That's a pretty big typo.

[68RT440]

It also says that the 440 and 426 both became available in 1966. I thought that the 440 didn't come in the Chargers until '67...

[family_dodge]

actually .....  

1969 Charger R/T (& 500 & Daytona)

440HP (L-code) engine & 727 automatic transmission & 3.23:1 geared non-Sure Grip 8-3/4" rear axle are STANDARD

OPTIONAL ENGINE: 426 HEMI (J-code) (~$650) - NO additional requirements

OPTIONAL TRANSMISSION: 4-speed manual transmission at No/Charge - but you must order an "AXLE PACKAGE"
available 3.54:1 DANA 60 package (~$140)
available 4.10:1 DANA 60 package (~$250)

rear axle:
440 w/Auto - 3.23 8-3/4 w/o SG STANDARD, 3.23 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL $, 3.55 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL $, 4.10 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $
440 w/4spd - 3.54 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $, 4.10 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $
HEMI w/Auto - 3.23 8-3/4 w/o SG STANDARD, 3.23 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL  $, 3.55 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL $, 4.10 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $
HEMI w/4spd - 3.54 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $, 4.10 DANA 60 OPTIONAL $

Air Conditioning is ONLY available on 440HP equipped automatic Charger R/T & Charger 500 with:
3.23 8-3/4 w/o SG STANDARD, 3.23 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL, 3.55 8-3/4 w/SG OPTIONAL

6bblgt, is there a bigger thread or table somewhere on here that gives the rundown of every engine/carb/trans/differential option for the 1969 Dodge Charger base, R/T, 500, and Daytona? 

[69CoronetRT]

Right. That's what I was asking in question 1.
That's a pretty big typo.

Probably should be 4v for four barrel.

[family_dodge]

Right. That's what I was asking in question 1.
That's a pretty big typo.

Probably should be 4v for four barrel.

But then 426 should be written with a "6V" for six barrel.

[Kern Dog]

But then 426 should be written with a "6V" for six barrel.

When has there ever been a Hemi V8 with a Six Barrel setup ?

[Bad B-rad]

Some 66 cars had the 440 eng, but the Charger only got the 440 in 67.
All Street Hemi engines were V8 engines with Duel 4Bbl carbs so a 426CI V8eng 8Bbl carb.
The 440 also V8 with one 4Bbl carb in 69 or 440 6Bbl could be had in Daytona or 70 Charger.
What engine is in the Charger you just got from your Father?

[BLK 68 R/T]

Some 66 cars had the 440 eng, but the Charger only got the 440 in 67.
All Street Hemi engines were V8 engines with Duel 4Bbl carbs so a 426CI V8eng 8Bbl carb.
The 440 also V8 with one 4Bbl carb in 69 or 440 6Bbl could be had in Daytona or 70 Charger.
What engine is in the Charger you just got from your Father?

"440 six pack" is for Dodge. "440 six barrel" is for Plymouth. 440 six pack was not available in the Daytona, 70 Charger, yes, it was available.

[Bad B-rad]

I was just using the abbreviation BBL instead of spelling out barrel.
Obviously Dodge didn't have four packs, they are four barrels., I was just being lazy.


My one Daytona Charger book says you could get a 440 with three two barrel carbs, the book can be wrong. As I am not an expert just passing on what I have read. I hope it is not bad info. Sorry if it is.
As I have been wrong before and I am sure I will be again.

[Bad B-rad]

The book I have says 440 4Bbl and 440 with three 2Bbls or a Hemi in the Daytona Charger, but then shows the Engine bay of a Superbird.
So I may be incorrect.
dam not only errors in Hemmings also maybe errors in Muscle Car color history!! LOL

[6bblgt]

now I see what "WE" are discussing ..... author of the article is probably a Ford guy ....

(V = venturi)
V8 - in "ford speak" is dual 4bbl carbs
V4 - in "ford speak" is 4bbl carb

[family_dodge]

But then 426 should be written with a "6V" for six barrel.

When has there ever been a Hemi V8 with a Six Barrel setup ?

Ah! My bad— that would be the two 625 cfm Carter AFB four-barrel carbs— so "eight V" ... it's starting to make sense now.

[family_dodge]

Some 66 cars had the 440 eng, but the Charger only got the 440 in 67.
All Street Hemi engines were V8 engines with Duel 4Bbl carbs so a 426CI V8eng 8Bbl carb.
The 440 also V8 with one 4Bbl carb in 69 or 440 6Bbl could be had in Daytona or 70 Charger.
What engine is in the Charger you just got from your Father?

OK, got it. Thanks!

He took out the original engine and put in a 440 Magnum. There's a Carter carb on it now.

The original was a 383. In the backseat I found a Holley four-barrel double pumper.

[family_dodge]

The book I have says 440 4Bbl and 440 with three 2Bbls or a Hemi in the Daytona Charger, but then shows the Engine bay of a Superbird.
So I may be incorrect.
dam not only errors in Hemmings also maybe errors in Muscle Car color history!! LOL

We all make mistakes, I guess!

[family_dodge]

now I see what "WE" are discussing ..... author of the article is probably a Ford guy ....

(V = venturi)
V8 - in "ford speak" is dual 4bbl carbs
V4 - in "ford speak" is 4bbl carb

OK! You solved it. There is no error in the magazine. "V" must be for venturii (Venturi? not sure on the spelling) tubes.

So while the description reads:
"The VIN code "J" indicates a 426-V8 and "L" indicates a 440-V4 engine.,"

it makes more sense (to me) to write it as
"The VIN code "J" indicates a 426 V8 Hemi with dual carbs (eight venturii tubes) and "L" indicates a 440 V8 Magnum with a single carb (four venturii tubes)."

Doesn't quite roll of the tongue, I suppose. Thanks for the help with this, 6bblgt.  

[6bblgt]

& to be correct in "fordspeak" it should've been 8V & 4V - but was probably "corrected" by a professional editor

[John_Kunkel]

A lot of misunderstandings occur because of the use of terms that are not common to the make being discussed. Mopar folks are just as guilty as others are.

[family_dodge]

& to be correct in "fordspeak" it should've been 8V & 4V - but was probably "corrected" by a professional editor

This is helpful. Thanks.