How do I tell what year my 440 engine is?
Determining the exact year of a Mopar 440 engine largely comes down to decoding the engine's date code and casting numbers, then cross-checking with the car's records. The 440 was popular from the mid-1960s into the 1970s, and some later applications continued into the late 1970s in trucks.
Core indicators you should check
Use the following steps to locate the key markings on the block and nearby components and to interpret what they mean for production year and era.
- Locate the engine date code stamped on the block. On Mopar big-blocks, this date code is usually found on the block surface near the timing cover or water pump. It encodes month, day, and year and requires a decoding reference to translate into a calendar date.
- Look up the block casting number. A block casting number is stamped into the block, typically on the passenger side near the bellhousing. The casting number identifies the block revision and its production window; match it to a Mopar casting-number guide to approximate the year range.
- Check the cylinder heads’ casting numbers as a cross-check. Heads were reused with various blocks, and the head casting can help confirm era and engine family (RB family vs. B-block) which narrows the year band.
- Inspect the intake manifold and other accessories for date stamps or part numbers. Some parts carry date codes or production year hints that align with the engine block.
Interpreting these codes requires a reference chart; the exact format can vary by year and plant, so you’ll want a reliable decoding guide from Mopar or a contemporary parts database.
Decoding results will give you a narrow year range, but due to replacements or swapped parts over the years, the exact calendar year may require cross-checking other sources.
Cross-checking with documentation and physical clues
Even when you read date codes, you should verify with official records and observable features.
- Check the engine block casting number: stamped on the block, usually on the passenger side near the bellhousing. The casting number reveals the engine family and revision; cross-reference with a casting-number guide to place the engine within a year range.
- Inspect the heads and intake manifold casting numbers: these can confirm the generation (RB vs B-block) and help narrow production years, since some blocks used specific head designs in certain years.
- Look for the car's original documentation, such as a build sheet, fender tag, window sticker, or VIN decoding guide: these documents list the engine option (for example, a 440) and the model year the car was produced or originally equipped with the engine.
- Consider the vehicle’s model-year context and mechanical features: carburetor type (2-barrel vs 4-barrel, or progressive 6-pack on some performance variants), exhaust setup, and factory horsepower ratings can help confirm the era.
Documentation and corroborating indicators are essential; numbers can be swapped, so rely on multiple sources to confirm the year.
Understanding Mopar date codes
Chrysler Mopar date codes on engines typically use a compact code that encodes month, day, and year. The month is often represented by a letter (for example, A through L for January through December), with digits indicating day and year. Formats and placements can vary by plant and year, so consult a current decoding chart or a trusted reference for the exact scheme.
What to do next if you still aren’t sure
If the engine has been rebuilt, swapped, or parts scavenged, the date code may not reflect the original engine year. In such cases, gather the car’s build sheet, fender tag, or window sticker, and contact a Mopar expert or a well-maintained database, such as a documented engine registry, to triangulate the year and confirm compatibility for parts and restoration work.
Summary: To determine a 440 engine’s year, start with the block’s date code and casting numbers, then confirm with the car’s VIN/build sheet or documentation. Cross-check multiple indicators, because replacements and swaps can obscure the original year. The 440’s production spans roughly the mid-1960s to the early 1970s for passenger cars, with some late-model 440s appearing in trucks through the late 1970s; precise dating relies on decoding archival references and the engine’s own markings.
