can anyone decode these #s and markings please

[rav440]

the 1st looks like 3-156 or 8 ???
the second looks like J ??? 2 is this a date code ?
the third i guess is a X

i would like to put these back on the read end housing but i would also like them to be correct #s , letters , color and script .

thanks RANDY

[Eric]

I'll have to look back through my reference info for axle codes, I assume this is an 8 3/4? For reference, here's one from a 71 car. In this case, the G indicates the year code, G=71 (same as paint codes)....so for your 73 a J would be correct. Just going from memory here....

[rav440]

thanks for the fast reply ERIC , yes it is an 8 3/4 sure grip and the original rear end for my rr , i want to paint the codes back on the housing and carrier . i want it to look like it did from the plant . i would also like to know what the codes and marking mean .

I'll have to look back through my reference info for axle codes, I assume this is an 8 3/4? For reference, here's one from a 71 car. In this case, the G indicates the year code, G=71 (same as paint codes)....so for your 73 a J would be correct. Just going from memory here....

[rav440]

I'll have to look back through my reference info for axle codes, I assume this is an 8 3/4? For reference, here's one from a 71 car. In this case, the G indicates the year code, G=71 (same as paint codes)....so for your 73 a J would be correct. Just going from memory here....

ok so on you date code G043 G=71 is the 043 was feb 12 1971 ?

wouldnt " I " be 1973 ? and J be 1974 ?

[471Magnum]

wouldnt " I " be 1973 ? and J be 1974 ?

Nope. "I" gets skipped over in the world of date codes due to being easily mistaken for a "1"

[rav440]

wouldnt " I " be 1973 ? and J be 1974 ?

Nope. "I" gets skipped over in the world of date codes due to being easily mistaken for a "1"

THANKS i thought that may be the reason but wasnt sure .

[rav440]

on my fender tag there is a "J52" would that have any tie in to the " J ?? 2 " on the rearend ? so that would make feb 21 1973 and my build date on the runner is mar 08 1973 , does this make sence ?

[Eric]

J52 on your fender tag will have nothing to do with the numbers on the rear end. I thought I had an article about the axle stamps, but cannot seem to find it now.

[rav440]

J52 on your fender tag will have nothing to do with the numbers on the rear end. I thought I had an article about the axle stamps, but cannot seem to find it now.

ERIC , thanks for looking anyway .
since i couldnt tell what the ##s were between the J**2 although it looks like the 3rd # may be a 5 i made the date code J052 .
also on the axle code ?? 3-156 the #s are a pink color were the really white or red to start with ?

thanks RANDY

[Eric]

still no luck finding the article on these....Jeff may know if he sees this post.

here's a company that repops the stamps
http://www.71sg.com/stamps.html

[rav440]

I'll have to look back through my reference info for axle codes, I assume this is an 8 3/4? For reference, here's one from a 71 car. In this case, the G indicates the year code, G=71 (same as paint codes)....so for your 73 a J would be correct. Just going from memory here....

ERIC , when you say same as paint codes , your just using that as an example right ? and not saying the prefix of the paint code year should match the year code on the rear end . EX : my paint code is GB5 the "G" is the 73 paint code right ?

[Eric]

Randy
What I meant was that the same way they used the model year as a letter designation in the paint codes (ex. GB5 was first developed for the 71 model year G=71, EB5 before that was developed for the 69 model year E=69) the axle date code year was also designated with the same letter format. This letter=year code was also used on the engine pad.

[71rm23]

I read through this post. Eric sent me an e-mail to see if I could help. First off, I am NOT an expert on the 73's--barely know enough on these to try and be helpful. However, there are similarities between these and the 71's that MAY help. Eric is correct on the "J" designating the model year 1973. Just as "G" designates the 1971 model year, and "H" designates the 1972 model year.

I am going from memory hear as well, but I am fairly certain the "X" or whatever the marking is on the rear of the diff is an indication that the rear is serviced properly (diff lube and the sure grip additive) from the factory on the line. The "J" plus the next three digits are to indicate the proper 1973 rear axle assembly for the car. Sorry, don't know the numbers for the 73"s. My recollections on the last set of numbers: 3-15 plus a letter, are the build date of the rear end with an inspector mark.

I think I am correct on a lot of this. Of course the best action on your part is to document and research as many 73's you can. It will help determine some of the numbers, especially the "J and next three digits".

Hope this provides at least a little help.

Jeff