The Crusty Cuda: Whole lotta Shakin' (N96) Goin' on!

[CTBob]

Hey, Steve! Wow! Sweeeet! Looks great ‘n drives great, too! Fantastic!

I’ve been workin’ on tryin’ to assist in sleuthing details, including the pre-Dave origins of the Now-Non-Crusty ‘Cuda! Without a Broadcast Sheet, original selling dealer info, or, earlier owner info, it presents a bit of a challenge, however, I’ll, in all probability, be re-connecting with formerly-frequently-in-touch MoPar pals, so, who knows? Inflow o’ some fun info may appear in the futuro!

In the meantime, re: the 8-¾” rear:
In your post #902 on p. 91, you mentioned, and, posted a pic of, the rear ring gear date (5-21-70), as well as showing the carrier (“pumpkin”) casting date, which is, as is sometimes the case (pun intended), rather indistinct. At the time, ya thought that it showed a ’71 date code, however, after playing with a photo you posted, and, running it through several filters (as well as adjusting the size), it appears that it MAY say “C 9 70,” ‘cause that final digit looks much more like an incomplete zero, than a one. Since the casting dates can be indistinct smooshes (either in whole, or, in part) I’m truly tentative about the “C” part! (That could translate to December 9, 1970.) If you can locate an axle housing date code, that may be helpful, as well, however, unless there’s date code “harmony,” they still may not agree, ‘cause of the mix ’n’ match nature of the separate pieces.

Glad to hear that the rear gear now brings some cheer! …And, good choice on the Dana Powr-Lok, ‘cause, although the “muscle era” moniker from MoPar for their limited slip diff was “Sure-Grip,” what was, actually, inside depended upon which axle, and, of what vintage. (In ’70, it would have probably been a Borg Warner Spin Resistant.) Of the 2, many prefer the Dana.
Here’s a link to Dana/Spicer for a 15-page Service Manual/Tech PDF of the Powr-Lok. Really cool stuff! https://media.spicerparts.com/cfs/fi...store=original

I’m, also, providing a link to MyMopar.com which presents a super-comprehensive guide to 8-¾” rear axles; their various & sundry vintages & permutations, as well as parts compatibility & interchangeability. (Note: I am not certain that this is the original source of the article, as I have seen it published on more than one site.) http://www.mymopar.com/Mopar8_75RearEndGuide.htm

Good news, also, that the trans is staying put, gear selection wise! As Andy pointed out (Post #921), it could be harmonics. Bill @ Mostly Mustangs says “Hello!” He, also, said, “It could be harmonics, but (if the trans is good), they’d have to be serious harmonics. Usually they’d have to be bad enough that you could make a milkshake in the back seat!” …So, maybe, that trans may need a freshening or adjustment for good measure…

…However, in the meantime, ENJOY IT!

[njsteve]

Bob,

Isn't "C" the month date code for March when it comes to casting dates?

"C" would be December on a fender tag, though. (My old hemi Charger was built on "C08" - Monday, Decmber 8th, 1969)

[CTBob]

Hey, Steve!

Chrysler uses a finite-but-numerous variety of date coding scenarios, in combination, or, alone. Some use the letters exactly as you have listed. Others use numerals:
1-January
2-February
3-March
4-April
5-May
6-June
7-July
8-August
9-September
10-October
11-November
12-December

SPDs (Scheduled Production Dates) use:
1-January
2-February
3-March
4-April
5-May
6-June
7-July
8-August
9-September
A-October
B-November
C-December

I know that Dana rear ends list numerical dates on the axle tubes (i.e.: 4 15 70 = April 15, 1970), but, having not had a car with an 8-¾" in a while, I'm not absolutely certain what the casting date protocol for the carrier assembly is. (Further research may turn up an answer, or, perhaps, someone on the Forum may know!) That's why I said "MAY," and, "truly tentative." It would seem logical that that first character should be a numeral, and, not a letter. I put "C" because that's what it appeared to be to me in the photo, as well as I could ascertain.

Month/Year date codes, as you mentioned, re: the jack, are definitely common, so as you stated "C 0" (or, 0 C?) is March 1970! Perfect! …But, usually, they appear as in you example. I don't recall having seen any Alpha/Numeric (such as "C 0") utilized in lengthier ways (such as "C 9 70"), which is why I went "out on a limb" (axle tube?), so to speak, and, translated it into the "other" alpha possibility. If you are able to tell what that first character is, we may arrive at a better (and, more accurate) answer.

…And, that's so great about Terry! Not only is he able to help you, but, he still has the '71 'Cuda! Fantastic memories from back in the day! So cool!

[njsteve]

It looks like my 8-3/4 carrier has an alternate casting date location in a different spot than the traditional version, which used a julian calender number right alongside the "489" casting number line.

[CTBob]

Hey, again, Steve!

You know me. “Mr. Dogged Determination.” (Woof!) I looked at the photos of the carrier assembly again, and, in the FWIW Dept., it looks like there MAY be a Casting Date Code Pad immediately below the horizontal casting rib, and, above the “81489” in the p.n. 2881489 on the side. Does that appear to be true, and, if so, is there anything distinguishable on it?

…And, regarding that “C” in my 2 immediately previous posts, I probably shoulda’ said, “It doesn’t seem like it should be a “C,” however if it is, the Alpha Date Code for C = March, is the more likely, rather than the Alpha Date Code C = December,” ‘cause, in light of conventional/typical Chrysler Corp. date coding trends, I should have gone with the less unconventional, rather than the truly unconventional! (Doh!)

[CTBob]

Hello, all!

Also, FWIW, I’m basing my information upon the numerous pieces of original Chrysler Corp. literature which I have acquired over the years, my own research/experience with my personal vehicles, that from having assisted NJSteve with the restoration process of a number of the stellar vehicles which he brought back to life (my acronym for all of the "automotive art" which he resuscitated being M.O.P.A.R.s.” (Multiplicity Of Precious Auto Restoration successes)), and tons of research for my own cars (including over 3,500+ hours of research time in the restoration of my current ’71 Charger), which included many helpful conversations, for which I am very grateful, with Roger Gibson, Frank Badalson, Galen Govier, John Grinwald, David Wise, Terry McCann, and, tens-upon-tens more of the absolutely wonderful people in the MoPar community! (Steve’s mentioning Terry, owner of the In Violet 340 ‘Cuda, reminded me of something one of the great Canadian guys (of whom Terry is one) said while we were all hangin’ out “bench racing” & swapping stories in the evening at that ’85 MoPar Nats, which I remember as if it was yesterday. With a laugh & a smile, he said, “Here! Have a Molson! Good one, eh? Not like that cheap American stuff!”

From all of my pre-easy-access-to-the-internet days, I learned so much by talking with friends in the hobby, following connections, and, making phone calls, which resulted in my locating hundreds of correctly date-coded (now rare) NOS parts, as well as gathering information in the process, for my restoration project. Having often located stuff through relentless searching, sometimes I’m astonished, in comparison, about how little I find on the net; amongst the vast plethora of info out there. I, also, find that there is a lot of misinformation, so the last thing which I want to do is be the purveyor of something which is wrong. If you have a question about a comment I made, please don’t hesitate to comment on it, or, ask me about it

Someone who I CAN definitely recommend as a reliable source is David Wise of MMC Detroit. I have several of his amazing books. He’s totally dedicated to date code detail/accuracy, and, extensively identifying even the most obscure fasteners & hardware, and, so much more. I just looked on the net, and, although I hadn’t previously checked, I found a good “Understanding Production Date Codes” page on his site. Here’s the link.
https://www.mmcdetroit.com/Understanding_Date_Codes/

I hope this may prove helpful!

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by CTBob

Hey, again, Steve!

You know me. “Mr. Dogged Determination.” (Woof!) I looked at the photos of the carrier assembly again, and, in the FWIW Dept., it looks like there MAY be a Casting Date Code Pad immediately below the horizontal casting rib, and, above the “81489” in the p.n. 2881489 on the side. Does that appear to be true, and, if so, is there anything distinguishable on it?

I rechecked and it's smooth there. No other numbers.

[CTBob]

Thanks, Steve!

I was hopeful that what I noticed in that area in your photo of the post-hot-tanked carrier (which you included in Post #912, p. 92) was another potential date pad (rather than just the mottled appearance of the cast iron, following the cleaning process). In that photo, the area above the 9 (in "489") gave the appearance of a telltale screw head in the casting, however, maybe not so much IRL. Ah, well…