Earliest 3969341 and Latest 3894860 axles

[BULLITT65]

Austin,
The axle stamp does not appear to be like other typical stamps that we have seen due to spacing. I know a lot of the history of your car is known, but it is not a typical stamp.
To help reduce possible distortion of the data, it will not be included with the other data gathered until other stamp photos corroborate it as a production anomaly.
Thanks!

Kurt another piece of info that you may want keep as a side note is John Berry's 08A car has a correctly dated rear end with the original axel tubes, but does not have any stamp present. I know originally it was thought that it was a replacement that happen to fit date wise, but maybe the time frame of early August of 69 there was something weird going on with the rear end stamping process? It would be nice to find more cars between his and mine that have there original rear end stamp.

[bcmiller]

There are a few known replacement axles out there.  Nothing unusual happened with the stamping process around that time as far as we know.

[BULLITT65]

I am sure replacements are out there. I just thought it was interesting that if it was a replacement, that it still had a good date for his car, I believe.

Also there was a couple of breaks in production around that time frame of late July beginning of August, and I think there are some mysteries from the factory that may never be solved.

 I'm just putting it out there as a side note, and hope to see more cars found within that time frame is all.

[bcmiller]

There was probably a higher than normal need for replacement axles around this time based on the track and street racing that was taking place. COPOs, L78s, etc.  And the Novas used the same axle, so that added to the need as well.

[69Z28-RS]

There was probably a higher than normal need for replacement axles around this time based on the track and street racing that was taking place. COPOs, L78s, etc.  And the Novas used the same axle, so that added to the need as well. 

A couple of possible answers to the question that Bullitt raised about 'no stamping' on the axle...  besides oversight.. is this:
1) Did replacement differentials (bought OTC) have the same date stampings?  (I'm guessing they probably did if they were complete rears)..
2) BUT... a replacement housing (no gears/axles/etc) would probably NOT be stamped, since it was sold without gears, etc.  I suspect this was what happened to the car that Bullitt questioned...

Note:  With the '70 models changing axle length, isn't it 'likely' that GM parts depots would stock spares for the '67/8/9 differentials??   and the cast dates on those 'spare parts' would more than likely occur near the end of the production year.. and August '69 would qualify for such a period?

[bcmiller]

Gary, I believe into the 1971 model year, the Nova 12 bolts used the same dimensions as the 67-69 Camaro.

I will stick with the thinking in my previous post, at least for now.  

[69Z28-RS]

Byron,

I think we're saying the same thing, that the 'unstamped' differential was likely an over the counter replacement axle housing...  at least that was what I was trying to suggest, and I *think* you were saying... 

[bcmiller]

Gary, it is my understanding that a replacement empty housing would not be stamped.  So yes, I think we are saying the same thing.

I don't think they would stockpile extra housings though, since the same housing was used for Novas up into the 1971 model year. 

JohnZ or someone else would probably be able to answer better, but I believe that "in general" - service parts were produced based on demand. 

[rszmjt]

I have seen 2 - Z28,s now with what I think are replacement hsgs under warranty. Both were "341 housings. 1 was a 02B Van Nuys car and the other a 11A Norwood Z. Both axle housing were cast date D-9?-1 ( might have been D-7-1), and neither car had any numbers on the tube.
 The 02B car had Dec/68 dated 373 gears and posi as well as original GM brake shoes and backing plates/axles etc. Housing appeared to be bare steel, looked newer than other components but the brakes backing plates/diff cover were black and appeared older.
 If cars ripped the spring perches off ( they wheel hopped without traction bars) while under the 5 yr warranty period, did GM just change the housing and reinstall the other diff parts?

[KurtS]

I added the cast date to the 0806 axle and added an 0818 axle too.

[BULLITT65]

Ft

There was probably a higher than normal need for replacement axles around this time based on the track and street racing that was taking place. Coops, L78s, etc.  And the Novas used the same axle, so that added to the need as well. 

A couple of possible answers to the question that Bullitt raised about 'no stamping' on the axle...  besides oversight.. is this:
1) Did replacement differentials (bought OTC) have the same date stampings?  (I'm guessing they probably did if they were complete rears)..
2) BUT... a replacement housing (no gears/axles/etc) would probably NOT be stamped, since it was sold without gears, etc.  I suspect this was what happened to the car that Bullitt questioned...

Note:  With the '70 models changing axle length, isn't it 'likely' that GM parts depots would stock spares for the '67/8/9 differentials??   and the cast dates on those 'spare parts' would more than likely occur near the end of the production year.. and August '69 would qualify for such a period?

Question: wouldn't they still have a date stamp, but not the two letter code for ratio? Also if the rear end already had a casting date, why would there be a need to stamp the date of assembly( quality  control?) Further  why  does it appear that the two letter axel code looks stamped separately from the date, and looks to be hand stamped, along with the "E" below?

[bcmiller]

I am going to give my opinion but JohnZ or someone else may be able to answer better.

A complete rear axle for service/warranty would have an assembly stamp with ratio code.  These would not be common, in fact they would probably be pretty RARE. 

In most cases, only the bad parts would be replaced.  For example, see the post made by rszmjt above.  It appears that just the housing was replaced and other parts were reused.
A bare housing for service/warranty - would not have received an assembly stamp at the axle plant since it was not "an assembly".

Austin, I don't have an answer to every question and it is probably not in our best interest to answer every question anyway.  Those searching for information on how to restamp parts can see the same posts that we can.  That is why certain details about how or why tags / or drivetrain stamps were made or specific details will not be discussed.  Sorry, but that is the way it is. 

[bcmiller]

I added the cast date to the 0806 axle and added an 0818 axle too.

Thanks Kurt!

[BULLITT65]

I understand, just trying to piece it all together like everyone else on here. Some things are easy to extrapolate, others are still puzzling.
Also in looking at the pic you posted from reply #69 on this thread, it looks like the "C" was double stamped (look to the left), and possibly some other numbers as well?

[bcmiller]

Yes, it appears that at least part of that axle assembly information was stamped at least twice on that particular housing.