First 1967 383 installed in a Barracuda

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ChrycoGuy

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Hello to the group,
Does anyone have concrete info on the first day the 383 was installed in a production 1967 Barracuda?
Many people have opinions, which is fine, but that's not what I'm looking for.

I read one article (can't find it now of course), that the first day of production for the 383 in a Barracuda was March 01/67.

Because of the sheet metal/sub structure change from 1966, there was tooling delays and the first production Barracuda wasn't built until November 25 or 26, 1966.

Because of Ford and GM having big blocks in their smaller cars, Plymouth was late in joining the big block offerings.

I believe Car & Driver did a road test on a pre-production 383 Barracuda in August/September 1966, but this wasn't available to the public yet. Also, most all pre-production cars ended up being crushed.

So if someone has good info on the first build of a production Barracuda 383 Formula S, I would appreciate where their source is from.
I have a 1967 (all original car) sport hardtop, 383, 4 spd, with a build date of March 01/67 and a very low shop order number. I also have the IBM data card from FCA.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Here's a '67 383 Barracuda fastback fender tag with a March 1st. scheduled production date.
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Also, they couldn't put the 383's in the normal way, K member up from the bottom with the engine and suspension. They had to use an engine hoist. Chrysler had a lot of issues putting a big block in an A body.
1670596562509.png
 
ChrycoGuy said:
Also, they couldn't put the 383's in the normal way, K member up from the bottom with the engine and suspension. They had to use an engine hoist. Chrysler had a lot of issues putting a big block in an A body.
View attachment 1716020161
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No different than any other engine. Mine went in from the bottom with no issues.
Pic depicts the day we installed my motor in my 68 GTS.

56A9AD0C-A766-4E69-83E4-02201AD7A833.jpeg
 
I'd be more interested in the Shipped Date on the IBM card, center top of card and last 4 columns below.

My 67 383's Shipping Order Number begins with 531, but the Shipped Date was actually 5/26.
Mine was an ordered car, same as yours, the motor was assembled on 5/23 and it was shipped Friday 5/26.

I wouldn't put much stock in the balance of the Shipping Order Number as mine ends in 02023.
Sequentially before the March 1st tag above, but scheduled 30 days after and shipped 25 days after.

I know of at least 3 other 67 383 cars built on 0301. Have yet to see one earlier, but have never seen an IBM card from one of those with the actual Shipped Date.

The latest I've seen is 602, iirc, but I thought I saw one later.
 
My understanding is Chrysler designed the 67 A-body with the intent to install the 383.

They announced the new Barracuda would be available on Nov. 25th, convertible in Dec., and included the 383 in the optional engines.

Part of the reason why I find it difficult to believe the idea of installing a 383 in a 67 Dart was an original idea from a lone dealership.

I think that pic and text is a bit of marketing, or someone who didn't get the press release on when the car would even be available.
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From what I understand the 383 in 2nd gen Barracuda's and Dart's was a B block compared to the taller deck RB 440 in the 69 M codes and limited production 68 Dart.
 
A 383 A body ought to use a 383 block, right?
 
A56 said:
From what I understand the 383 in 2nd gen Barracuda's and Dart's was a B block compared to the taller deck RB 440 in the 69 M codes and limited production 68 Dart.
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Yes. 383's are B blocks as well as 350's (in 1958), 361's and 400's. Exception to the rule "back in 58 and 59 there was a RB 383. "
 
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toolmanmike said:
Yes. 383's are B blocks as well as 350's (in 1958), 361's and 400's. Exception to the rule "back in 58 and 59 there was a RB 383. "
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Just tying to figure out why someone posted that the '67 383 in Cudas and Darts was an earlier built 383. ??? post#10 :popcorn:
 
matthon said:
My understanding is Chrysler designed the 67 A-body with the intent to install the 383.
Click to expand...
I'm not terribly sure that is very true. Poorly engineered if you ask me
1...Had to use inferior exhaust manifolds, derating the power level
2....Used the oddball C barge block with the special "wrap around" engine mount.
3....Measly, iffy, poor clearance for stuff like heater motor, A/C, power brakes and steering with headers
4....Even today guys swapping B/RB engines into an A have troubles here and there, and you would have thought that if Ma had "engineered" these from the start THEY WOULD HAVE ENGINEERED DECENT HEADER CLEARANCE

So I ain't convinced......................
 
...and they put 440's in '69 Barracuda's.
 
From Paul Ceasrine
On the 1967 Dodge Dart 383 GTS / 1967 Barracuda 383 Formula 'S'
controversy with Mr. Norm's.

Chrysler had made a sales and marketing decision to put the 383 in the 67' Barracuda, long before Mr. Norm did his 383 Dart build.

With Ford promoting the 67' Mustang GT with a 390, Chrysler felt that
a 67' 383 Barracuda would compare more favorably with the Mustang than a 67' Dart, with the younger sports car market.

Plymouth had scheduled to introduce the 67' Barracuda in
September 1966, but re-tooiling issues developed on the production line, pushing the release date to November 16, 1966.

According to VIN #'s, several 67' Barracuda 383 Formula 'S' cars were
built in the November production at Plymouth.

Mr. Norm's 383 build project didn't take place until December 1966,
several weeks after the 383 Barracuda was out on the market.
 
Just trying to make sense out of posts 10 and 13.
 
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