GT350 9-inch Rear Axle

[shelbydoug]

I envision these labels as being on a wide roll of masking tape type material?

Haven't seen that sort of texture to the paper not evidence (though it may be long gone) of adhesive Just haven't seen anything on the axle after they are long gone though oy makes sense that something had to hold them to the axle tube between assembly/completion and when they were installed in the car.


Ends are normally pretty neat and without design from what I've seen so far so maybe premeasured, unlike , for comparison, engine ID stickers with their jagged ends.

I don't remember a label on my 68 and there is no evidence of one being on my 67. The picture of a partial posted here shows nothing where the label was. Water soluble glue?

If it was put on like a bracelet and only glued to itself where it overlapped then this partial would be some sort of an anomaly?

[J_Speegle]

Finding an original still on a car today is very rare. Uncoated paper and where it was located both work against almost any chance for longevity

[shelbydoug]

Maybe the reproductions should be made slightly different with the longevity a consideration?

[Bob Gaines]

I envision these labels as being on a wide roll of masking tape type material?

Haven't seen that sort of texture to the paper not evidence (though it may be long gone) of adhesive Just haven't seen anything on the axle after they are long gone though oy makes sense that something had to hold them to the axle tube between assembly/completion and when they were installed in the car.


Ends are normally pretty neat and without design from what I've seen so far so maybe premeasured, unlike , for comparison, engine ID stickers with their jagged ends.

+1 typically only adhesive residue left . You rarely find them . They probably didn't last long when the car was driven in weather like rain or snow. The paper was only for line workers to identify assembly no thought was given to longevity past that. When I have found them intact they are stiff and brittle.  The ones Dead nuts on carry's are pretty exact with of course different copy depending on application..

[Bossbill]

This tag that is wrapped around the axle tube is for a 67 GT350 4 speed .

That is exactly what I needed Bob!
Thanks for coming to the rescue.

[shelbydoug]

Interesting subject. The discussion increases the possibilities.

[gt350hr]

   Paper tags were/ are used on all rear axle assemblies. I just pulled an 8.8 from a 2002 Ford Ranger and there is a paper tag on it!

   One comment regarding the BP detailing article , IMHO ( only) too much time/ care was used in reproducing the numbers painted and "crayoned" onto the housing. One has to remember this was an assembly line , NOT art class. "Some" were nicer looking than others and none were "perfect". Reasonable care was used during the builds but a concours judge was not present supervising the work ( so to speak) done "in the day".  Exact duplication should be avoided.
    Just My Personal Opinion.
        Randy

[roddster]

   Paper tags were/ are used on all rear axle assemblies. I just pulled an 8.8 from a 2002 Ford Ranger and there is a paper tag on it!

   One comment regarding the BP detailing article , IMHO ( only) too much time/ care was used in reproducing the numbers painted and "crayoned" onto the housing. One has to remember this was an assembly line , NOT art class. "Some" were nicer looking than others and none were "perfect". Reasonable care was used during the builds but a concours judge was not present supervising the work ( so to speak) done "in the day".  Exact duplication should be avoided.
    Just My Personal Opinion.
        Randy

+1

[J_Speegle]

..................... Exact duplication should be avoided.

+1   Be wary of copying other peoples markings or ones from another car but instead focus on what was originally found on your specific car and compare those to larger samples of commonly found markings for clarity and sometimes filling in the damaged markings you found on yours. So examples may have markings only found on that single example and we're trying to discourage "cookie cutter cars" especially when it comes to details like paint markings IMHO

[polyglas]

I have a friend who worked at the Sterling axle plant . He contacted me through MM many years ago and asked how I figured out the markings on the rear axle assembly. I replied, I duplicate what I find during disassembly and document with pictures. He also explained the function of orange strap on the parking brake cable. There was a code book the Sterling assemblers used for quality control and identification. Different colors on marker pens for various shifts etc. There were red, green and white paper axle tags on tape roll (1st,2nd, 3rd shift)? No he has not found any lunch pail 981B tape rolls yet. I have figured out what many markings mean from the  info supplied. I have not been granted  permission to share and feel he should publish the article himself,which I believe is coming.
  Randy G, I love your comment.That's the first time I have been praised for my handwriting. I know the customer quite well and he did not prefer I drag the axle assembly around the shop on the floor a few laps for a little Dearborn patina. Thanks again for the Blue Streaks.
Unfortunately I believe too much emphasis is put on paint codes and stickers etc. on many restorations. These final details do not make the restoration as some seem to believe. Believe me it took a lot more time to prep the parts and assemble the axle assembly than it did to scribble a few numbers.  Paint codes and stickers do not make up for incorrect parts and average restoration workmanship. Does a car with no orange peel really deserve a paint OK stamp? Lets not loose perspective.
 
           Bob Perkins SAAC Concours Head Judge

[gt350hr]

     Bob ,
        Your article was superb and I learned a few details from it. My comment was the result of looking at many '65-66 GT 350 axle housings and the variation in location and "handwriting styles" of the DSO marking on the back of the housing. Some said DSO , others said D.S.O. and then there were the differences in handwriting. I have seen them replicated with Markal paint sticks ( crayon like) , 1/2" wide paint brush , and stencils , looking very different than an original. The originals were 1/4" wide liquid paint markers ( white) done by hand a full of variations.
       The conversation with the Sterling Plant worker backs up what I have "assumed" for many years. Differential assemblies were built ( like engines and transmissions as well) "by the book" and marked in specific areas with "universal codes" so any employee knew what the assembly was from a "distance". I have specific engine assembly "books" detailing how a particular engine ( '67 289 Trans Am) was to be assembles. I believe the codes ( like 982)  were related to specific build books ( stapled pages) similar to the engine book I have.  The axle plant ( again IMHO) had to be well disciplined/structured so there was no variation on a "run" of 50-100 (or more) axle assemblies. The information regarding paint codes sheds light on another assumption I had regarding the paint on the end of 31 spline axles as I have seen white , light blue and orange on the ends of those I have seen in the last 52 years. There is also a large variation in the yellow paint mark in the case webbing. Some had more than others and it was very "abstract" in it's application.
    I share your belief that far too much emphasis is placed on stickers and paint marks.
       Randy