1969 Plymouth Road Runner Engine Options and Specifications
In 1969 the Plymouth Road Runner was produced with four different engines.
For the 1969 Road Runner, the 383 High Performance 4 barrel engine (335 H.P.) was the standard engine. If air conditioning was ordered it came with the 383 4 barrel (330 H.P.) engine. One engine option was available which was the 426 Hemi.
The 1969 1/2 Road Runner A12 was produced with the 440 Six Barrel engine.
This article will include all the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner engine options, including the 1969 1/2 A12 and their specifications. This includes the engine code, cost, displacement, horsepower, torque, compression ratio, camshaft, lifter type, valve sizes, bore, stroke, air cleaner, exhaust, fuel and carburetion.
1969 Plymouth Road Runner Engine Options and Specifications
The 1969 Road Runner was available with the following four engines.
- 383 High Performance 4-barrel (Standard)
- 383 4 barrel (with A/C)
- 426 Hemi (Optional)
- 440 Six Barrel (1969 1/2 Road Runner A12)
The 383 engines and the 426 Hemi were carried over from the previous year with very little change.
The Plymouth data book indicates if air conditioning was ordered the Road Runner came with the 330 horsepower 383 engine (see photo below). The largest difference between this engine and the standard 335 horsepower version was the less aggressive camshaft.
1969 Road Runner With a 383 High Performance 4-barrel
The 383 High Performance 4-barrel was available as the standard engine for the 1969 Road Runner.
This engine made 5 more horsepower (335 H.P.) than the other 383 4 barrel with A/C. It had the same camshaft as the 440 high performance engine.
The engine code was E63. Let’s take a look at the specifications.
| Specifications | 383 4-barrel |
| Displacement | 383 |
| Bore and Stroke | 4.25″ x 3.375″ |
| Horsepower | 335 @ 5,200 RPM |
| Torque | 425 @ 3,400 RPM |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Camshaft | High lift, long duration, high overlap |
| Cam Duration/Overlap | 268°/284°/46° |
| Cam Lift | .450″/.458″ |
| Lifter Type | Hydraulic |
| Valve Diameter, Intake | 2.08″ |
| Valve Diameter, Exhaust | 1.74″ |
| Carburetion | Single Carter 4-bbl |
| Air Cleaner | Unsilenced |
| Exhaust System | Dual exhaust |
| Fuel Recommended | Premium |
1969 Road Runner with A/C (383 4-barrel)
As stated earlier, when a Road Runner was produced with A/C it had the 330 horsepower engine. This engine had 5 less horsepower and a different camshaft than the higher horsepower 383.
The engine code was E63. Let’s take a look at the specifications.
| Specifications | 383 4-barrel |
| Displacement | 383 |
| Bore and Stroke | 4.25″ x 3.375″ |
| Horsepower | 330 @ 5,000 RPM |
| Torque | 425 @ 3,200 RPM |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Cam Duration/Overlap | 256°/260°/32° |
| Cam Lift | .425″/.435″ |
| Lifter Type | Hydraulic |
| Valve Diameter, Intake | 2.08″ |
| Valve Diameter, Exhaust | 1.74″ |
| Carburetion | Single Carter 4-bbl |
| Air Cleaner | Unsilenced |
| Exhaust System | Dual exhaust |
| Fuel Recommended | Premium |
1969 Road Runner With a 426 Hemi
The 426 Hemi was available as an option for the 1969 Road Runner. The engine order code was E74 and cost an extra $813.45. Let’s take a look at the specifications.
| Specifications | 426 Hemi |
| Displacement | 426 |
| Bore and Stroke | 4.25″ x 3.75″ |
| Horsepower | 425 @ 5,000 RPM |
| Torque | 490 @ 4,000 RPM |
| Compression Ratio | 10.25:1 |
| Camshaft | High lift, long duration, high overlap |
| Cam Duration/Overlap | 284°/284°/60° |
| Cam Lift | .490″/.481″ |
| Lifter Type | Mechanical |
| Valve Diameter, Intake | 2.25″ |
| Valve Diameter, Exhaust | 1.94″ |
| Carburetion | Dual Carter 4-bbl |
| Air Cleaner | Unsilenced |
| Exhaust System | Dual, low restriction |
| Fuel Recommended | Premium |
1969 1/2 Road Runner A12 with a 440 Six Barrel
The 440 Six Barrel engine was introduced for the 1969 1/2 Road Runner A12 vehicle. While there were many differences for the car, this article will address the engine specs and how it’s different from the 440 high performance engine. It was the only engine available on the A12 car.
The following information is taken directly from a Plymouth Technical Service Bulletin (Seq. NO. 86) (NO. 69-9-9).
The 440 3 – 2-BBL engine used in a limited number of 1969 Road Runners is the same engine as the 440 engine except as follows:
- Carburetor: 3 -2-bbl Holley carburetors with an aluminum intake manifold.
- Crankshaft: Same as 440 C.I.D. except specially selected and shot peened.
- Piston Rings: Same as 440 C.I.D. except the top ring has a Moly-filled face.
- Connecting Rods: Same as 440 C.I.D. except 100% Magnaglo inspected.
- Camshaft: Same as 440 C.I.D. except cam lobes have a low taper and shaft is lubrited.
- Valve Tappets: Same as 440 C.I.D. except .0005 undersize and flat faced.
- Rocker Arm: Heavy stock.
- Intake Valve: Same as 440 C.I.D. except chrome flash valve stem.
- Exhaust Valve: Same as 440 C.I.D. except chrome flash stem.
- Valve spring & Damper: New
- Intake Manifold: New
- Distributor: New Prestolite double breaker.
- Oil Pump: Hemi, with standard suction pipe assembly.
Let’s examine the 1969 440 Six Barrel specifications:
| Specifications | 440 Six Barrel |
| Displacement | 440 |
| Bore and Stroke | 4.32″ x 3.75″ |
| Horsepower | 390 @ 4,700 RPM |
| Torque | 490 @ 3,200 RPM |
| Compression Ratio | 10.1:1 |
| Camshaft | High lift, long duration, high overlap |
| Cam Duration/Overlap | 268°/284°/46° |
| Cam Lift | .450″/.458″ |
| Lifter Type | Hydraulic |
| Valve Diameter, Intake | 2.08″ |
| Valve Diameter, Exhaust | 1.74″ |
| Carburetion | Triple Holley 2-bbl |
| Air Cleaner | Unsilenced |
| Exhaust System | Dual, low restriction |
| Fuel Recommended | Premium |
That’s the complete list of engines available for the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner including the A12. If you have any questions to ask me about the engine options or specifications for the 1969 Road Runner car model, send us an email found specifically on my contact page or comment below.
About 38 years ago I assembled my first Mopar engine, it was for a 1970 ‘Cuda. It’s at that time my hands on experience with Mopar cars and engines, including the 440, started. Although my research of the engines started years earlier.
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Article Resources
- 1969 Plymouth Service Manual
- 1969 Plymouth Technical Service Bulletin 69-9-9
- Google Books: Chrysler Engines 1922-1998
