When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 1969 AK coded differential which acts very differently then I am used to on a Corvette. Called a "standard" versus a "positraction" I wonder if any of you have come across these before? Date coded 10-21-68 it also has a "1" in front of the "AK" and a "W" at the end. So, 1AK 10-21-68 W. It also has HD yokes.
Why would this be used on a 327 Corvette in 1969? Can you educate me please?
Thank you.
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
I have a 1969 AK coded differential which acts very differently then I am used to on a Corvette. Called a "standard" versus a "positraction" I wonder if any of you have come across these before? Date coded 10-21-68 it also has a "1" in front of the "AK" and a "W" at the end. So, 1AK 10-21-68 W. It also has HD yokes.
Why would this be used on a 327 Corvette in 1969? Can you educate me please?
Thank you.
David Howard
AllVettes4Me
According to 69corvette.com, the Posi axle [RPO: G81] was an option and had a $46 cost if you opted up for it. Almost 37,000 of the almost 39,000 total '69s built, were ordered with Posi so it was quite popular.
My 350/300 coupe was one of few without Posi also [AK code].
Now that I know this, I can feel the tug on the left rear when I gun it, and can feel it brake free and chirp between gears.
Last edited by Bergerboy; Aug 28, 2017 at 09:46 PM.
I read on the form that even though a cheap option some ordered diff without posi to save $50. Hard to believe but I am sure there were some base models that had to be aken by dealer to get others so few out there.
Positraction was optional for 68 and 69 and could be a mandatory option depending on the transmission choice (TH400). Posi became standard beginning with the 70 models.
I will guess, since I'm not a racer. The open differential, in certain applications is less likely to cause the rear end to come loose in a corner?
I appreciate the guess. It seems logical that the open differential may have been more effective in an oval track or road race setting as it would have transferred power to the wheel that needed it most. Posi traction would have been better for drag racing but beyond that I am curious why they made the switch.
Had to be a reason but maybe that reason died with the GM engineers.
We need to ask some of the road race guys. I also saved some old race car features in the old Corvette cars and parts magazine. I need to look and see what they had in them.
That's okay, not all Corvettes were meant to be race cars.....
LOL. Neither were all the Mustangs and Camaro's; but look what lasted through the years and which options people are seeking in their classic Corvettes today.
Haven't yet seen an add that says "put in this new open transmission, it will offer you a smoother, more comfortable ride in your Corvette". Just too funny, but I do understand what you are saying...
I don't think anyone knows why. But they just did. Not many did, but some cars came with a non posi.
The 1 in front of the date code is the shift the rear end was made during. Mine has a 2. Also the W is the Warren plant.
I think you may be correct. Roughly 36,965 of the 38,762 69 model cars had posi-traction, meaning 1,797 1969 Corvettes came without it. 1,661 cars came with the F-41 suspension too, which makes me wonder about that connection. But as you say and as I have to agree, maybe nobody left on the planet knows now. Thanks for your thoughts.
We need to ask some of the road race guys. I also saved some old race car features in the old Corvette cars and parts magazine. I need to look and see what they had in them.
Bill
I wish I had thought to ask this question when I was at Carlisle Bill. Had some old road race cars there, not sure if the old road race guys were still there to drive them or not.
I showed you the operation of the differential when you were here yesterday and it fascinates me how it works. Maybe I will have to ask Trackdog or Gary Rimadi and see if they know. Anyway, has me fascinated to own a "rare" differential by quantity, but that nobody wants. Kind of like a Ford Pinto. LOL.