E Body Dana 60 Date code

[AARTA340]

Sure could use some help on getting a date code on my Dana 60 Differential.  Thanks in advance for any help or assistance.

[Katfish]

[AARTA340]

That is helpful, the 603080-3 tells me it is an E-Body for sure, now I need to find a way to decode the date if possible.

[anlauto]

889th day of 1967 B shift

[AARTA340]

Would that have been manufactured that far ahead of an E-body built in 1969 for a model year 1970?

[mofish]

Hi Grant, it wasn't uncommon for a Dana rear to have 2 date stampings like this. I believe August 6, 1969 and August 8, 1969.

[mofish]

I agree...it was the "B" shift

[anlauto]

Would that have been manufactured that far ahead of an E-body built in 1969 for a model year 1970?

889th day....I was joking

I don't know how to read that date code, it looks like something is missing

[AARTA340]

As soon as I sent that, it dawned on me, how can there be 889 days in a year, so figured it was one of them things you guys up north pull on us yanks!

889th day....I was joking

I don't know how to read that date code, it looks like something is missing

[mofish]

 

As soon as I sent that, it dawned on me, how can there be 889 days in a year, so figured it was one of them things you guys up north pull on us yanks!

[Cudino]

Hi Grant, it wasn't uncommon for a Dana rear to have 2 date stampings like this. I believe August 6, 1969 and August 8, 1969.

Right.  The 8 6 9 reads as August 6, 1969.  As I remember the two dates refer to the two assembly dates, the latter being the final assembly date.  This axle will be for an early '70 Ebody with 4.10 gears and 10" drum brakes (all Ebodies with 4.10s got the smaller 10" rear drums, to go along with the front power discs).

- Wade

[AARTA340]

Thanks Wade for the additional info. What numbers would I be looking for that would be correct for 440 6-pack with a four speed? Year of car would be 1970 with like an Min October build.

Right.  The 8 6 9 reads as August 6, 1969.  As I remember the two dates refer to the two assembly dates, the latter being the final assembly date.  This axle will be for an early '70 Ebody with 4.10 gears and 10" drum brakes (all Ebodies with 4.10s got the smaller 10" rear drums, to go along with the front power discs).

- Wade

[crash340]

Are 8 3/4's date coded like this or stock coded on the housing, I know the center is but what about the housing

[Cudino]

Thanks Wade for the additional info. What numbers would I be looking for that would be correct for 440 6-pack with a four speed? Year of car would be 1970 with like an Min October build.

The 440-6 4-speed Ebodies required the Dana60 rear, as part of either the A33 Track Pak or A34 Super Track Pak axle packages.  If the car had the A34 version then it came with the axle pictured above, the 4.10 with 10 drum backing plates and 10" drum brakes (because A34 included front disc brakes as standard).  However, if the car was coded for the A33 axle package then the Dana came with 3.54s and one of two brake sizes.  If the car was coded for A33 and manual front drum brakes then the rear axle got the 11" heavy duty drums.  If the car was coded for A33 and the optional power front disc brakes then the rear axle got the 10" drums.  There were only these 3 variations for Dana60 axles on E-bodies, 4.10/10", 3.54/11", and 3.54/10".  If you know which axle package and front brake style your car came with then we can know which of these 3 Danas you need.

Datecode-wise I can only give my opinion, but I'd say you'd be fine at 1-2 months earlier than your car's scheduled build date.

Sorry, I'm not sure about 8 3/4 datecoding. 

- Wade

[anlauto]

I don't think there was ever any date stamping on 8 3/4 housings