Help on correct axle markings

[Matt L.]

Can anyone help me out on the correct markings for a 71 Cuda with a 4 speed 3.55?

View attachment IMG_2125.jpeg

 

[pschlosser]

Those markings can vary a little bit.

The casting number looks correct for an E-body, and the "300" date code suggests 30th day of year in 1970, which may mean this axle we not original to a 1971 model year. There may be date codes on the rear drum brake backing plates (inner-=side, medial) to confirm, as it may be unlikely they were ever changed.

The marking in your photo are getting too hard to discern top be conclusive. I think I see a "G" under the upper marking, which may by an circled X, which are just guesses.

The third member may have markings indicating the gear ratio, particularly when it deviates from a 3.23 standard.

As for the axle tube markings, you got me.

 

[Matt L.]

Those markings can vary a little bit.
View attachment 144500

The casting number looks correct for an E-body, and the "300" date code suggests 30th day of year in 1970, which may mean this axle we not original to a 1971 model year. There may be date codes on the rear drum brake backing plates (inner-=side, medial) to confirm, as it may be unlikely they were ever changed.

The marking in your photo are getting too hard to discern top be conclusive. I think I see a "G" under the upper marking, which may by an circled X, which are just guesses.

The third member may have markings indicating the gear ratio, particularly when it deviates from a 3.23 standard.

As for the axle tube markings, you got me.

It was spec'd w a 8 3/4 w 3.55 gears. However, the rear drum brakes were 11" brakes, which appears to verify what you've said, as the setup as per specs calls for 10" drum brakes. That coupled w the fact that the tranny has a date code of January 22, 1971 and a build date of February 9, 1971 makes me wonder if the whole running gear was replaced????

I'm not sure if this was a one-off car that was special order and they just slapped the tranny in it w/out stamping the serial # on the tranny and used a different axle (one w 11" brakes), but everything matches up with the specs on the plate, i.e., 4 speed w/ 3.55 gears and the sure grip.

 

[pschlosser]

The 1970 e-body I own is pretty original and is equipped with 11-inch manual drum front and rear. Unless you have OEM front disc, the 11-inchers in the rear may indeed be original. Fear not, though.

What makes you think the rears were originally 10-inch? Share an image of your fender tag, if you have it.

it IS a little odd there is no partial VIN above the PP833 stamping, but not conclusive there is an issue. the transmission date code 3465 := Day 3465 is Friday, January 22, 1971

 

[Matt L.]

I saw an article written by someone and they excluded the 11" rear drums from the setup that I have, however, his article appears to have been done in general, so it didn't delve into special orders. I'm not sure where the article and research was from and should have bookmarked it. Now, it's lost forever to the ether, as IDK what I was searching for at the time.

Almost everything on the car appears to be original, even down to the army green paint that was on the rear drum brake grommet. Like a dip-****, I sanded it off, though, not knowing it was original to the car.

 

[pschlosser]

A lack of a power or disc brake code (although, the B11 code may be on the broadcast sheet) suggests standard option manual drum brakes, front and rear. and for a 1971 BS-car Cuda, this is the "B11 - heavy duty manual drum brakes" which is 11x3.0 in the front, 11x2.5* in the rear.

I see nothing that is obviously incorrect about what you have shown us. The only exception is the 300 date code, but that isn't conclusive, either.

* some sources suggest 11x2.0 rear.

 

[Matt L.]

A lack of a power or disc brake code (although, the B11 code may be on the broadcast sheet) suggests standard option manual drum brakes, front and rear. and for a 1971 BS-car Cuda, this is the "B11 - heavy duty manual drum brakes" which is 11x3.0 in the front, 11x2.5 in the rear.

I see nothing that is obviously incorrect about what you have shown us. The only exception is the 300 date code, but that isn't conclusive, either.

Next ?, what type of paint are people using on the transmission when restoring them?

 

[pschlosser]

the automatic OEM transmissions were bare aluminum metal. possibly with overspray from engine paint, although this isn't consistent. But the four speeds (also bare metal) may be improved using a metal finish product.

An aluminum transmission that is discolored can be made bright again using a MILD media blasting and/or acid wash. I don't recommend using sand as the media -- too harsh.

that said, I've painted a few (automatic 727) housings flat black, to help them radiate heat and stay cooler. did it help? inconclusive.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Trust no one. Believe only in lies. Expect the unexpected. Only trust your eyes. This is what you are trying to see.

Bo7 71 JS 23 H1B. 340 4sp 3:23

Everything was fine. Started in June on weekends, doing inside and out. Preservation mode. I was thinking just doing some preservation. Just clean things up a little bit. Took under coating off and light sand blasting inside and out. I went a little above and beyond. There was noting wrong, it was fine. Just me, something is wrong.

This is wrong. Don't recall what it should be. This what I seen. I painted it with the rear 6" from my face.

By the way, that's light cast blast paint used. There is a dark.

 

[Challenger RTA]

This is the dark cast blast. When I painted it, it was pouring rain that day. The next day it cleared up and so did the transmission. That's Duplicolor Engine clear that turned white.

 

[Cuda Hunter]

Here is some reading for you.
Ink stamps

Also, lots of info on the resources pages.
Resources page

 

[Cuda Hunter]

Thanks for sharing the tag for BS23H1B290262