If he would have read the article, he would have seen that:
AXLES/DIFFERENTIALS
There is some discrepancy about the rear axles used in Camaro Super Sports. The 12-bolt axle seems to be prevalent in all Super Sports, although factory literature suggests that SS 350s with automatic transmissions would've been equipped with 10-bolt axles. That seems to be the case with Powerglide-equipped SS 350s, but not those with Turbo Hydra-Matic transmissions. There were a wide variety of final-drive gear ratios available. A 3.31:1 ratio was standard with the small-block but 3.07:1, 3.55:1 and 3.73:1 were optional depending on transmission choice. A Powerglide came standard with a 3.07:1 gear. Selecting 4.10:1, 4.56:1 or 4.88:1 mandated a Posi-traction limited-slip differential.
Factory literature shows that the SS 396 came standard with a 3.07:1 gear ratio and that the performance ratio was a 3.31:1 ratio. Optional economy and special ratios included the 2.73:1 and the 2.56:1. Given the ease with which these cars could be special ordered, it's conceivable that almost any gear ratio could've been specified. Camaro axles are stamped, usually on the passenger side tube, with an assembly code that lists the date of assembly, place of assembly as well as a letter code that can be decoded to tell the original gear ratio. The axle casting date is cast into the upper left side of the housing above the cover. This can be used to date the axle in order to determine if it is original to the car or not.
This is true, but ONLY for late 1969 (although we're still researching this for earlier 1969's). All Hemmings has to do is insert the wording "later built 1969" in that sentence:
The 12-bolt axle seems to be prevalent in all Super Sports, although factory literature suggests that
later built 1969 SS 350s with automatic transmissions would've been equipped with 10-bolt axles. That seems to be the case with Powerglide-equipped SS 350s, but not those with Turbo Hydra-Matic transmissions.
From our own
1969 CAMARO VISUAL ID HYPERTABLE page (Note 9):
9. GM documentation indicates that the LM1 and L48 with M35 or M38 (350/4-barrels with automatic transmissions) were to receive a 10-bolt rear axle with multi-leaf springs. However, the physical evidence shows LM1/M35, LM1/M38, and L48/M38 vehicles actually received 12-bolt axles. Physical evidence on L48/M35 cars (SS-350 with PowerGlide transmission) is still limited, but indicates that at least the later builds received 10-bolt, multi-leaf axles; axle use for early 69 L48/M35 vehicles remains unclear. CRG continues to research this issue.
Ed
