Projects 63 Dodge Polara Question

Just picked up a 63 Dodge Polar 500 ,convertible. It's missing the engine. I cannot determine from the fender tag what the original engine it had. Is there any way to find out?

 

30 seconds on Google gave me this....
318, 361 and 383's were offered.
The 318 CID V8 produced 230 horsepower, the 361 CID V8 delivered 265 hp and the 383 CID with 330 horsepower at 4,500 RPM.

Oh yeah......it's a Polara.

 

That tells me what was available. It doesn't tell me what mine came with. And the 426 was also an option.

 

https://www.tpocr.com/dodgevin1.html

Might help. Vin is in the left door pillar

 

Not much help. But this place is a custom site.
Put whatever ya want.
Pics of engine mounts, if still there, might help.
Or a pic of the K-member (suspension crossmember)

 

some info in here: https://www.motortrend.com/features/1963-dodge-polara-factory-built/

It seems that the 500's had two engine options in '63. The 383 or the 426 'Max Wedge'.
The article above outlines how to decode the tags.
Man, I hope you find the 9.....

 

The vin number should tell you....

 

Thank you! Wow! So I really have one of only 28 Polara 500 convertibles? Doesn't appear to have had the 426. That will make it easier and more affordable to build.

 

I'm thinking the VIN may have only indicated a 6 or 8 cylinder engine.

 

All 63 Polara 500s came with either a 383 or a 426 only. From what I'm deciphering mine had the 383.

 

Funny when a fella doesnt even read the op then responds like a smart ass lol some folks...

 

Congrats man. Nice score.

 

Polara 500's had, at least a 383 4bbl. It could have been bought with a 426 Max Wedge, but that would have been pretty rare in a convertible. The VIN in those years will only tell you 6 or 8. Engine code in the Mopar VIN's didn't show up intil '66. Gene.

 

If your VIN starts with 643,,,,383 2barrel....6432 is 426 max wedge....These are the only 2 motors listed for 1963 Polara 500 convertible...This is from the Chrysler Corp production code book....

 

With some of the Mopars I've owned, not all, the schedule or build sheet listing everything on the car was found tucked into the springs of the upper rear seat. I had a 67 Polara 4dr. with a 318 2bbl AT ,could be a Canada thing though.

 

Motor trend and /or Car life had road tests or features on the 63 Polara and Polara 500.

The base Polara could be had with any Chrysler engine, ie slant 6, 318, 382 (2 and 4 barrel), or Max Wedge 426.

The Polara500, on the other hand came standard with a high compression 2 barrel 383, or an optional 4 barrel 383, plus the Max Wedge.
At least one road test car was a 4 barrel 383 Polara 500 convertible with a Borg Warner T10 four speed.

 

Would you be able to post a picture of the page stating that? I just looked and indeed mine is 6432...

 

Max wedge baby!!!! Unreal hope you have a well developed money tree

 

Holy shit….if that’s true then that’s a hell of a car!

 

You need to go here:
The 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 Mopar Web Site Welcome Page (ornocar.com)

 

Some pictures for those interested.

 

This is the best I can do....The code book is small

 

Thanks!!! Off to the far right, it says 5 K. Can you tell me what that means?

 

Nope sure can't...If you think you have a rare car please check other sources for more info....There are folks out there that know a lot more than I do about Chrysler products....To bad the fender tag is gone....

 

It's got a fender tag but it's not definitive like the later mopar tags

 

Still the fender tag should tell you what engine and transmission it came with.

 

Still a wicked cool car! Dont take it personally. Pics of gnrs winners have been deleted simply because the wheels were modern or too large and vintage looking. Idk, rules are the rules... i get that its annoying and makes some things tough. Personally my biggest beef is some folks get a free pass and post modern steering setups and disc brakes and they keep their pics and threads. Rules should be black and white period. Just like trog...mostly lol