[GregP]

My Exhaust manifolds do not have any dates on them. Supposedly they are original. Everything else on the motor so far has been original. After searching the forums and looking at some books I have just confused myself.
Does this look like they are original and correct for a 1969 RAIII Judge Automatic?
Left side looks like GM3 and under it is 9791637
Right side is hard to read but looks like 9797072
Thanks for any help!

[GregP]

Just as a follow up, …. what I am trying to determine is if these are original or re-pop. Based on my searching the forums there seems to be some original manifolds without date codes and some with them. I can't find any on these and I think the codes are correct. Some books show different but I also read that some books are wrong which helps my confusion. I want to send these out to Jet-hot but only if original. I guidance would be helpful.

[Scott Thelander]

they look to have had a long life if they are repops
2 diff styles of exhaust studs present ... so its been apart once

and

the patina of being hot and surface decay

[GregP]

Thanks for the reply Scott. I thought the aged look and the fact they have been off the car for 18 years makes the story more believable. The last owner pulled the motor and completely disassembled it for an eventual rebuild. He dropped a built up 1971 455 into the car which is what I'm driving around with. When I purchased it I got everything right down to the motor internals. He had everything in baskets. He "claimed " everything to be original and so far everything has matched up perfectly.
I just wanted to verify these as original before spending money on restoring them. Am I correct in thinking that no date codes can be original?
After this, last item on the list will be the carb, which the # checks out but again with all the re-stamping I will be posting a question about it w/photo shortly.
Greg

[66beaumont]

I have a 69 ram 3 auto service replacement carb if needed. Was working when pulled from my car in 2012. If interested pm me. Roy

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by GregP

...
I just wanted to verify these as original before spending money on restoring them. Am I correct in thinking that no date codes can be original?
...
Greg

I seem to recall reading that some castings had no date codes;
by my replying here, I am subscribed, and will reply later after I have a chance to review what I have at home for documentation.

Please post pictures of the carb, I am sure that myself or others can help ID it.

[GregP]

Well it looks like I should have done more digging through the different forum threads. From 2016, On the Judges only forum I found this:
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...70#post5634570
It basically talks about that there have been a number of documented 69 RAIII's with exhaust manifolds 9797072 & 9791637 that have no date code on either side. The 9791637 had GM3 above it.

And that led me to this; https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...49#post5635649 which follows and talks of the same thing.

Codes seem correct as well as the aging. Is this enough for me to assume mine are originals?

[unruhjonny]

it sounds like you've answered it for yourself

['ol Pinion head]

Definitely originals. Have owned many pairs of original '69 RA manifolds. Out in the shop have a fairly clean pair of '69 GTO RA manifolds from a '69 Judge project I owned in the late 90's, likewise, they have no casting dates. Seems to be a '69 GTO RA manifold thing, as the original '69 long branch Dports I have as well as two pair of original '69 ra4 long branches I've owned had casting dates.

For others examining early reproduction RA manifolds, the first more accurate appearing '69 repro GTO RA manifolds were made by Classics of Ohio, they were avail from PY as early as the early 90's, as I acquired several new pair in early to mid 90's. One pair went on the '69 Judge that gave up the '69 pair of original manifolds I still have. On the Classics '69 GTO RA repro ex manifolds, there is a CM vs a GM on the LH manifold by the part number.

[unruhjonny]

/\ great info!!