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Old Jul 15, 2015 | 11:27 PM
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Just bought a 3.36 rear end and would like to know what I got. I tried googling the codes but couldn't find anything revelant. The cast iron info is (as best as I can tell):

B287
GM 23
3725899

Can someone decipher this, please?
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Old Jul 16, 2015 | 01:43 AM
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I'd say that the B287 is February (B) 28th, 1957. 3725899 is the casting number for the 57-61 open (non posi) rear end center section. If it had been a posi carrier it would be casting number 3743833.
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Old Jul 16, 2015 | 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by gbvette62
I'd say that the B287 is February (B) 28th, 1957. 3725899 is the casting number for the 57-61 open (non posi) rear end center section. If it had been a posi carrier it would be casting number 3743833.
Great! Thanks GB
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Old Jul 16, 2015 | 03:25 PM
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Over on the OTHER side of the case, there will be (or should be) STAMPED letters/numbers. It will begin with TWO letters followed by 3 or 4 numbers. The letters are the ratio code, the numbers are the mo-day of actual assembly.
Here are a couple of examples.



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Old Jul 16, 2015 | 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by DZAUTO
Over on the OTHER side of the case, there will be (or should be) STAMPED letters/numbers. It will begin with TWO letters followed by 3 or 4 numbers. The letters are the ratio code, the numbers are the mo-day of actual assembly.
Here are a couple of examples.



Yes, I found the letters/numbers DZ, but they are very lightly stamped, hard to read. Best I can tell is BL 314. What does that translate to?
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Old Jul 16, 2015 | 08:30 PM
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First of all, are you sure the 7 in B287 is a 7? Could it be a 1?
Next, I cannot find ANYTHING remotely close to a BL stamping except for a 4.11 3spOD in a pass car. The 314 is an assembly date of Mar 14 (which would follow the CASTING date of B28, which is Feb 28).
Take another close look at the stamped letters (BL). Some assembly line workers struck the stamp lightly while others stamped them very hard.
And last, are you sure the gears are 3.36? If so, I'm wondering if someone replaced original 4.11 gears with a 3.36 gear set.
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Old Jul 16, 2015 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by DZAUTO
First of all, are you sure the 7 in B287 is a 7? Could it be a 1?
Next, I cannot find ANYTHING remotely close to a BL stamping except for a 4.11 3spOD in a pass car. The 314 is an assembly date of Mar 14 (which would follow the CASTING date of B28, which is Feb 28).
Take another close look at the stamped letters (BL). Some assembly line workers struck the stamp lightly while others stamped them very hard.
And last, are you sure the gears are 3.36? If so, I'm wondering if someone replaced original 4.11 gears with a 3.36 gear set.
Yes, it is a 7, see pic. I took several pics of the stamping. Sometimes it looks like a B, sometimes a P. The L is pretty plain in some views. What do you think? I tried cleaning it, rubbing with chalk, then black grease. It's just stamped too light. Do you show a listing of PL by chance?
Yes, it is a 3.36, 11 on the pinion, 37 on the ring.




one





two





three
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Old Jul 16, 2015 | 11:08 PM
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OK, absolutely, positively, that is a 57 rear.
Now, here is the closest thing I can come up with (thought I had it). That could be BB (weak stamp), which translates to 3.36 for a 57 pass car with PG or TG. BUUUUUUUT, that does not fit, because your rear is a Detroit Gear and Axle built rear, and a BB code is ONLY for a Buffalo (NY) plant.
So, I give up.

Anyone else want to take a shot at it?
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Old Jul 16, 2015 | 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by DZAUTO
OK, absolutely, positively, that is a 57 rear.
Now, here is the closest thing I can come up with (thought I had it). That could be BB (weak stamp), which translates to 3.36 for a 57 pass car with PG or TG. BUUUUUUUT, that does not fit, because your rear is a Detroit Gear and Axle built rear, and a BB code is ONLY for a Buffalo (NY) plant.
So, I give up.

Anyone else want to take a shot at it?
Hey, I appreciate you taking the time to decipher. I know that it's a 3.36 and it's in a '57 case, don't really need anything else. I was just curious if those gears were original to the case. Looks like they're not.
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