MMC Detroit What date code should be on my part? ©

What date code should be on my part? ©

By Moparr Motor - Detroit (January 5, 1996, Updated December 7, 2004)

We have had this question asked of us for many years and we feel that the following table will help clarify this issue of that is the correct date code that should be on a component. The following table should be used as a "general guide" as to how many days prior to the production date of your vehicle should a component be to be considered correct for that vehicle.

Engine casting vs. build dates:

The standard is typically around 30-90 days. The more common the engine (i.e., 318 or 383) the closer the casting date will be to the final assembly date of the engine However, 440 +6 are as high as 90-120 days and Hemi�s have been as high as 1 year.

It has been discovered that different production years had the build date of the engine closer to the scheduled production date of the vehicle. The closest dates observed was early 1968 production followed by 1970 and then 1971.

Vehicle schedule build date vs. actual build date

These dates do not always match up. There could be a variation of as much as 30 days. There are various causes for variation due to lack of material and/or efforts to batch like models, powertrain configurations and/or colors.

Note:

These date apply primarily to vehicles produced from 1966 - 1973.
This table is a work in progress and will be updated as more information is obtained.
Keep in mind that we this subject deals with mass production and there is always variation (controlled and uncontrolled) that took place and there is not absolutes.

Item #	Component	Total days prior to build of Vehicle	Comment
1	Castings (Days prior to build of engine)
1.1	Intake manifold
1.1.1	426 Hemi	90
1.1.2	440 + 6 bbl - Alum and iron	60 - 90
1.1.3	440 4 bbl	60
1.1.4	383	60
1.1.5	340 4 bbl	60
1.1.6	340 + 6
1.1.7	318	60
1.2	Cylinder blocks
1.2.1	426 Hemi	90-200
1.2.2	440 HP	90
1.2.3	440 HP²	60-120
1.2.4	383 std & HP	90
1.2.5	340 + 6	90-120
1.2.6	340 std	90
1.2.7	318	90
Item #	Component	Total days prior to build of Vehicle	Comment
13.	Cylinder heads
1.2.1	426 Hemi	90
1.2.2	440 HP	90
1.2.3	440 HP²	60
1.2.4	383 std & HP	60
1.2.5	340 + 6	90
1.2.6	340 std	60
1.2.7	318	60
1.4	Exhaust manifolds
1.2.1	426 Hemi	30-90
1.2.2	440 HP	30
1.2.3	440 HP²	30
1.2.4	383 std & HP	30
1.2.5	340 + 6	30
1.2.6	340 std	30
1.2.7	318	30
1.5	Thermostat housings	90- 120
1.6	Alternator	120
1.7	Starter	120
1.8	Water pump housing	90
1.9	Auto transmission main case	120
1.10	Auto transmission tail shaft	120

2	Engine final assembly
2.2.1	426 Hemi	60 - 90
2.2.2	440 HP	25 - 45
2.2.2	440 HP²	45 - 90
2.2.3	383	15 -30
2.2.4	340	30
2.2.5	318	30

3	Engine Accessories and misc. components
3.1	Power steering pump pulley	60
3.2	Temperature sending unit	30
3.3	Engine mount rubber isolators	120
3.4	Drive belts	30 -45
3.5	Power steering cooler	60-90
3.6	Throttle cable	120
	Oil pressure sending unit	30

4	Transmission final assembly
4.1	Automatic transmission
4.1.1	426 Hemi	60 - 200
4.1.2	440 HP & HP²	45 - 60
4.1.3	383 HP	30
4.1.4	440 Standard duty	30
4.1.5	318,340, 383 standard duty	30
4.2	Manual transmission - 23 spline	30
4.3	Manual transmission - 18 spline	30
Item #	Component	Total days prior to build of Vehicle	Comment
5	Axle / drive shaft related
5.1	Dana
5.1.1	Dana build	120 -200
5.1.2	Dana tube assembly	120 -200
5.2	Drive shaft	120
5.3	U joint straps	120

6	Fuel related
6.1	Carburetor
6.1.1	2 bbls - Carter & Holley	30
6.1.2	4 bbl - Carter & Holley	30
6.2	Fuel pump	120
6.3	Fuel sending unit	60

7	Hoses
7.1	Radiator hose
7.2	Heater hose	90
7.3	Power steering pressure hose	120
7.4	Power steering return hose	120
7.5	Crank case breather hose	120
7.6	PCV hose	120
7.7	Brake vacuum hose	120

8	Glass
8.1	Front & Back	30
8.2	Side	30
8.3	Outside mirror	30

9	General body related
9.1	K member	120
9.2	Radio related
9.2.1	Radio	120
9.2.2	Radio speaker	120
9.3	Jack	120
9.4	Windshield wiper related
9.4.1	Wiper motor	120
9.4.2	Wiper switch	120
9.4.3	Washer bottle	120
9.4.4	Washer bottle motor	120
9.5	Battery	30
9.6	Seat belts	30 - 60
9.7	Hood latch	120
9.8	Hood safety	120
9.9	Horns	120
9.10	Carpet	30-60
9.11	Head liner	30-60
9.12	Trunk mat	30-60
9.13	Console	30-60
9.14	Head lights	30

Item #	Component	Total days prior to build of Vehicle	Comment
10	Coolant / heater and A/C related
10.1	Heater box	30
10.2	Radiator	120
10.3	Fan - clutch	120
10.4	A/C dryer	60
10.5	A/C compressor	60
10.6	A/C condenser	60
10.7	Blower motor	30

10	Ignition / charging system related
10.1	Voltage regulator	60
10.2	Distributor	30
10.3	Ignition coil	120
10.4	Spark plug wires	30 - 60
10.5	Alternator - final assembly	120
10.6	Electronic ignition module	30
10.7	Starter relay	30

11	Suspension related
11.1	Lower control arms	45 - 60
11.2	Torsion bars	45 - 60
11.3	Upper control arms	45 � 60
11.4	Shocks	120

12	Brakes related
12.1	Power brake booster	30
12.2	Master cylinder	30
12.2	Metering / proportioning valves	30
12.3	Emergency brake mechanism	30

13	Wheel / tire related
13	Wheels
13.1.1	Wheels std	21 -30
13.1.2	Wheels ralley / magnum style	21-30
13.2	Tires	30
13.3	Inflatable spare relater
13.3.1	Tire	120
13.3.2	Wheel	120
13.3.3	Inflation bottle	90- 120
13.4	Wheel covers	120
13.5	Hub caps	120

14	Seat related
14.1	Seat tracks
14.1.1	Seat track buckets / bench	120
14.1.2	Seat track - 6 way adjustable	60 -90
14.2	Seat coverings	120