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1968 383 2 barrel original engine color

Started by BrokenHero, November 25, 2021, 01:24:48 PM

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BrokenHero

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've read as much as I can and the consensus seems to be the 383 2bbl engines were turquoise in 1968.
I have a 1968 PP1 red/black vinyl top 383 car with which I am fairly sure is the original engine and this is the intake manifold. Also the engine has since been rebuilt and was painted a similar light-medium blue.

Is there any chance the light medium blue is correct or was my original engine repainted the wrong color by a previous owner?

Thanks
1968 Dodge Charger
383 4 barrel
PP1 red, black vinyl top
Los Angeles, CA

BSB67


500" NA, Eddy head, pump gas, exhaust manifold with 2 1/2 exhaust with tailpipes
4150 lbs with driver, 3.23 gear, stock converter
11.68 @ 120.2 mph

birdsandbees

"Light medium Blue" didn't come along until '70 or '71 in the A body small block world anyhow. You engine should be Turquoise.
1970 'Bird RM23UOA170163
1969 'Bee WM21H9A230241
1969 Dart Swinger LM23P9B190885
1967 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S
1966 Plymouth Satellite HP2 - 9941 original miles
1964 Dodge 440 62422504487

Alaskan_TA

The 1969 model year was the last year for turquoise and the first model year for blue was 1970.

That said..... your blue looks a lot like Ford engine blue. (my brother and two pals liked Mustangs)

Pete in NH

Hi,

My 71 383 2bbl is turquoise. I'm the original owner so i know it came from the factory in this color.

Alaskan_TA

With age, the original blue starts to look more like turquoise.  ;)

BrokenHero

Got it, thanks all! Perhaps it's not the original engine or the original engine was repainted.
1968 Dodge Charger
383 4 barrel
PP1 red, black vinyl top
Los Angeles, CA

Alaskan_TA

-If- a 1968 model year engine does have a partial VIN, it will be near the top center of the transmission mounting flange at the back of the block.

If it is a later engine, the full or partial VIN would be on the passenger side of the block, down low, right above the oil pan rail.

metallicareload99

Quote from: BrokenHero on November 27, 2021, 11:10:47 AM
Got it, thanks all! Perhaps it's not the original engine or the original engine was repainted.

When we refreshed my 440, I couldn't find the proper turquoise, so I grabbed the closest I could find. A Ford blue like that
1968, When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth

Nacho-RT74

Phord blue is close if not the same to the Chrysler corporated blue used on all engines since 72. BTDT for my 74. I got once ( just once on my life ) a Chrysler corporated blue spray can which I used, but couldn't find anymore another can ( in Vzla ) so had to use Phord Blue available anywhere to make some touchs on my valve covers and couldn't find any noticeable difference.

Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

Nacho-RT74

Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

birdsandbees

Don't take that ^^^ list as totally correct.  While 1968 340's were Red and some EARLY '69's. '69 x 340's were generally Turquoise.
1970 'Bird RM23UOA170163
1969 'Bee WM21H9A230241
1969 Dart Swinger LM23P9B190885
1967 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S
1966 Plymouth Satellite HP2 - 9941 original miles
1964 Dodge 440 62422504487

Alaskan_TA

Yes, that MP list is wrong.

See the 1969 383 & 440 listings on the 1969 TSB page at https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/TSBs/1969/D69-25-1%20page5.jpg

Also see the 1970 listings at https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/TSBs/1970/D70-25-1%20page5.jpg

1969 - Turquoise & 1970 - Blue. ;-)

Alaskan_TA

The original poster's question was about a 1968 model, so here is a link to that TSB page - https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/TSBs/1968/D68-25-1%20page6.jpg

Nacho-RT74

I know there are some other charts around which I have saved at my PC but was posting from my iPad and couldn't find those ones on line to post the image link.
Venezuelan RT 74 400 4bbl, 727, 8.75 3.23 open. Now stroked with 440 crank and 3.55 SG. Here is the History and how is actually: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,7603.0/all.html
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25060.0.html

triple_green

GG book says in 1968, any big block regardless of carb is painted turquoise, except 426 hemi
68 Charger 383 HP grandma car (the orignal 3X)