Spotters Guide

[Mark McDonald <tomswift@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Sgt.,

This is the first time I've heard about the power steering pump.  Thanks for
that tip.  I am always seeing people advertizing cars claiming to have the TNT
package and I wondered how you could tell (aside from the obvious dual snorkel,
which is easy to switch).

Does this mean that if you have the larger diameter pulley you have a hi perf
engine?  Is it possible someone could remove the dual snorkel, for whatever
reason?

Last thing is, what was the special order designation?  For Police use?  Was it
even more powerful than the "L" code??

Mark M

FltSgt@xxxxxxx wrote:

> Hola
>
> There are three items to look for when pondering if you have a regular engine
> dressed up or the real thing.  All 375 hp 440 engines came with dual snorkle
> air cleaners,  Exhaust manifolds that curve upward before dumping down-ward
> and the power steering pump has a larger diam pulley with spokes.
>
> As the last thirty years have passed since MoPar issued the 375 hp engine
> many people have cloned the engine.  The one item that gets over looked is
> the power steering pump.  Either they can not find or they do not know of the
> differance.  Or the original wore out and a regular ( power robbing ) pump
> was replaced.
>
> As the word got around the 375 and 390 hp 6 pak exhaust manifolds became a
> looked for item 'cause the installment would mean a 3 hp and a 5 lb torque
> gain over the regular 350 hp OEM exhaust manifolds, on top of the gain that a
> owner may have by going to dual exhaust.  ( The same manifolds are on the hot
> 335 hp 383's ).
>
> The last thing to check is the VIN.  If you have a 1966 or 1967 the letter
> "J"  = 440 and the letter "K" = spec order.  For 1968 and newer the letter
> "K"  = 440;  "L" = 440 high perf and "M" = spec order.
>
> If you ever get to look at our 63 or 66 Le Baron you will see the dual
> snorkle air cleaner housing's , the hp exhaust manifolds and the large diam
> power steering pumps and valve covers with the word I-M-P-E-R-I-A-L and the
> VIN code states "J".
>
>                                                 Rodger & Gabby
>