bell housing date codes

[john302]

Anyone know anything about the casting date codes in bell housings, trans cases ect... Example there is a circle with a 3 then a line and two dots is that march second  week??anyone thanks John

[Mike S]

that's correct.
Generally a month (number) and week (1 week per dot). No year.
Mike

[68camaroz28]

Here is an explanation that comes in handy with our 68 pic examples John.
"The code consists of two circles, both 1/2 inch in diameter and divided in half. One circle is called the date marker, the other the status marker. The date marker has a month designator for when the part was cast or manufactured. This is represented by the numbers 1 through 12 (Jan-Dec) in the years 1963-1966. They were marked with letters as shown in the table below from then on. The opposite side of the date marker has between 1 and 5 dots representing the week of the month. The easiest way to discern the proper date mark circle is to look for the week designator spots. Always check to see that the date marked precedes the final assembly stamp code. The status marker has the latest blueprint change number on one side of the circle and a deviation notice letter on the other side if the part change letter is active." This information was only useful to the Muncie plant by allowing the tracking of problem parts. This circle is usually blank." Our 67 & 68 M21's still have #'s for the month......
Here is where the above info resides- http://members.tripod.com/camaro_obsession/muncie.htm
And a picture of our bell housing and our trans tail housing casting date.
403 cast dates a little funky but believe to be 3rd week of Oct. as it has 3 defined tits/bumps.
Tailhousing is 1st week in December. By the way, trans was built 12/29/67. Notice the other circle (status marker).
Excuse the grime as pics were taken for documenting and before cleaning/restoration.

[Mike S]

Hi Chick,
  I have seen that article posted all over the web but I suspect it is in error. My 67 cast markings still use the number/dots on all the aluminum casted parts (tranny and bell housing). I haven't looked much beyond 67 and I haven't seen any month code using a letter (vs. the number said to be used until '66) in any picture example. I'm glad to see yours are using numbers too.

Mike

[68camaroz28]

I do not remember seeing letters on any trans I have looked at but probably have not looked at any past 69 model year.
Not sure why that part of the info is so incorrect but.........
Thought I might add the '8' on our bell housing according to JohnZ is a mold # and not model year related as I assumed at one time.