Rear axle and engine dating

[Flowjoe]

I'm curious to know how close (in terms of time) a component such as a rear axle or an engine can be dated to a car's build date.  It was Johnz's response on YH rim dating (and travel time by rail) that got me curious. 

How long did it take an engine to get to the Norwood plant from the flint engine plant for instance?  How long to LA?  What about the Detroit axle palnt?  How long to get to Norwood or Van Nuys?

PS to KurtS...I'm in a better position to get to some of my YH rims now so I'll try and snag a few dates for you.

PPS to Daniel...finally got the rear axle back intot eh '67 convertible...will work ongetting thsoe measurements for you...

[JohnZ]

Engines and axles took about the same amount of time as the rims did; add 3-5 days more for the same items to get to the Van Nuys plant.

[rich69rs]

Then there are always the exceptions.  My '69 RS was built in Norwood in mid Jan 1969, the rear end was assembled at the Detroit Gear and Axle Plant on October 18, 1968 - 3 months in advance. 

My other ride is a '66 Chevelle which has been in the family since day 1.  I have the POP and sales documentation for this car.  Although it is not a 1st Gen Camaro, it is interesting to note that for this car as well the rear axle was assembled much in advance of the actual assembly of the car itself.  The rear axle for the Chevelle was built in Oct 1965 and the car was assembled in Flint, MI in mid March 1966 - a full 5 months in advance of the final build

As JohnZ stated usage usually occurred within a few days of component assemblies.  I would be very interested if anyone has a rationale for how/why these exceptions did occur.  Documentation clearly shwos that they did - but why?

[69Z28X33]

I have a 69Z which I've owned since 1978. My rear axle does not appear to be original.
I would appreciate help with I.D.

Differential     ED – 30140PM1, GM52, 3894860N1, K107, CONI
Rear Axle       BW  0408G1 E

Larry

[VI009DZ]

BW 0408G1E

Casting date K107 = December 10, 1967.  Probably a 1968 model car.  0408G1 E = April 8, Detroit, First Shift, Eaton Posi unit.  BW for '66-67 meant 3.31's.  BW for '68'69 meant 4.56's.  Most likely you've got a 1968 4.56 posi 12-bolt.

[rich69rs]

BW 0408G1 E

In both 1968 and 1969;

BW  = 4.56:1 Posi 12 bolt Camaro rear end
0408 = April 8
G = Detroit Gear and Axle Plant
1 = Day Shift
E = Eaton as the manufacturer of the posi unit

Need to look at the differential housing casting date to determine which year; as stated previously K107 indicates a casting date of Nov 10, 1967; a 1968 model year axle assembly

Refer to the following: http://www.camaros.org/drivetrain.shtml#AxleCodes

[Flowjoe]

Engines and axles took about the same amount of time as the rims did; add 3-5 days more for the same items to get to the Van Nuys plant.

Thanks John.  I'd have to assume that just like the rims they were moved by rail, correct?

So if it took 3-5 days for rims to arrive at the Norwood facility then an engine or axle could pre date a car by less than a week (since engines and rims would arrive already painted and ready for installation - unlike the rims).

So if a car were  built 04C in '69 (where Monday is the 14th) then an axle or engine could (theoretically) be assembled on 0414 and meet the car at the end of the line...talk about jsut in time inventory.

[69Z28X33]

THANKS GUYS, I appreciate the help. That explains why I have five leaf springs.

Larry

[william]

Do not assume that drivetrain components shipped to assembly plants were built to order for a specific car. Sub-assemblies were built/stocked based on a forecast and may have remained in plant inventory for weeks or even months. There was no first-in-first-out; if a car required an M21 trans they took one off the rack. No one looked at dates. COPO engine dates are all over the place-some 03B COPOs have March engines; some have January engines. Our 06E 67 Z/28 had a July 6 engine, a March 20 axle and June 23 trans. The axle date was "out there" probably because the car was built with metallic brakes.

[Flowjoe]

Do not assume that drivetrain components shipped to assembly plants were built to order for a specific car. Sub-assemblies were built/stocked based on a forecast and may have remained in plant inventory for weeks or even months. There was no first-in-first-out; if a car required an M21 trans they took one off the rack. No one looked at dates. COPO engine dates are all over the place-some 03B COPOs have March engines; some have January engines. Our 06E 67 Z/28 had a July 6 engine, a March 20 axle and June 23 trans. The axle date was "out there" probably because the car was built with metallic brakes.

I never assumed any such thing - "built to order" on that level in a mass produced environment would be silly (unless it is Burger King letting you have it your way).  I simple marvel at the possibility of the event occuring. 

[RAfbody]

My 67 Los built rs car has a axle date of PA1216 G, Trans is T7T14D and engine is V1202MF and the cowl tag is 12C. 

[william]

I never assumed any such thing - "built to order" on that level in a mass produced environment would be silly (unless it is Burger King letting you have it your way).  I simple marvel at the possibility of the event occuring. 


Actually Chevrolets were each built to a specific dealer order. The only auto maker I know of that did not build to order was Chrysler Corp, still building cars on spec when Iacocca took over in '79. He was more than a bit suprised to find 80,000 unsold cars piling up in rented lots all over Michigan.

A great book that provides some insight to Chevrolets' problems in those days is "On A Clear Day You Can See General Motors" written in the mid-'70s. John DeLorean took over Chevrolet as GM in '69 and found it an absolute train wreck. Much of the difficulty stemmed from too many options, models, parts and build configurations. De Lorean straigtened it all out in short order and is remembered today as one of the best auto execs of the time.