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Correct tranny ?

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Old Sep 29, 2006 | 03:42 PM
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Default Correct tranny ?

Hi

I own a 68 convertible BB auto.

VIN is 16530 , so an April car.

All I find on it's tranny is following on a riveted metal tag :

427
CL 68 1875

How do I find out if it is a numbers matching tranny for this 390 HP car ?

Günther
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Old Sep 29, 2006 | 04:30 PM
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That code says it's the correct transmission type for the 427, the correct model year ('68), and was made on the 187th day since '68 production started (in February), so it lines up well with your April car. The VIN derivative should be stamped on a raised boss on the forward passenger side of the case or on the driver's side flange where the trans bolts up to the engine.
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 04:01 AM
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Hi

Thanks. So 1875 is the 187th day. What does the 5 stand for ?

I could not locate any boss with a stamped VIN yet. Have to keep on looking. Unfortunately, a chrome TURBO 400 oil pan is installed. Guess this is not original and might hyde the VIN.

Günther
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 08:37 PM
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Hi

It is a TH400, isn't it ?

Günther
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 10:35 PM
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Here's where I found my stampings. By the way where on your transmission was that riveted tag?
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Old Sep 30, 2006 | 11:01 PM
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Hi

Tag is on pax side aft about 3 O'clock position looking forward.
Pretty small tag.
I still could not find any stamp pad.

Günther
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 06:15 AM
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Originally Posted by WESCH
Hi

It is a TH400, isn't it ?

Günther
yes
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 07:06 AM
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Your THM 400 tag should look like this.


68 XXX

C L

CL 68 YYYY

Most tags are yellow, some are blue.

The codes are as follows:

CK SB
CL BB hydraulic lifter
CK BB solid lifter

These codes indicate the governor/kickdown inside that dictates shift point RPM of the trans.



On the first line of the tag is the year, then XXX is a Julian Date

Second line C L THM type

Third line Trans type again, year, YYYY= SN of trans

The dates for 68 cars begin on Jan 1 of 1967, yes 1967. SO, you have 365 days plus the days in 68.

The 1875 number is the SN of the trans, and has nothing to do with the Julian date.

What are the other numbers on the first line of your tag?

BTW, I've never seen a VIN derivitive stamped on a THM 400, BUT, I'm really not sure. Chuck
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 08:37 AM
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Hi Chuck

Exactly as I write and wrote is the tag's numbering , as follows:

427
CL 68 1875

So, 427 should be the date and not the engine type ?
So this should be 427 - 365 ( for 1967 ) = the 62nd day of the year 1968, hence around the 03rd of March. Is this correct ?

CL is hydraulic lifter, OK for my L36 car .
68 is modell year 68.
1875 is S/N of the tranny.

Did SB cars in 68 come with TH350 only ?

Günther
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by WESCH
Hi Chuck

Exactly as I write and wrote is the tag's numbering , as follows:

427
CL 68 1875

So, 427 should be the date and not the engine type ?
So this should be 427 - 365 ( for 1967 ) = the 62nd day of the year 1968, hence around the 03rd of March. Is this correct ?

CL is hydraulic lifter, OK for my L36 car .
68 is modell year 68.
1875 is S/N of the tranny.

Did SB cars in 68 come with TH350 only ?

Günther
Yes, Gunther. As I understand the system, it's just coincidence that your Julian date is 427.

CL designates a hydraulic lifter BB, either 390 or 400 HP.

The 1875 is the sequential # of the trans for 68.

I have a 69 427/400 with THM 400 trans. My late 69 THM 400 has a sequential number of 2123.

My 1969 Julian date is 550, so 550-365= 185, or the 185th day of 69, which would make it roughly in June of 69.

My 69 was built in late July of 69.

I believe all small blocks in 68-9 had the THM 400, NOT the THM 350. Chuck

Last edited by Chuck Gongloff; Oct 1, 2006 at 10:54 AM.
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 02:15 PM
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Here's the data plate on a '71 LS-6 THM400.
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 02:30 PM
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JohnZ,

Were these data tags only on automatics?

Also you know a bit about Z28s don't you? If so would you mind looking at some pictures for me and let me know what you think?

Rick
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 10:31 PM
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Hi

looks like the automatic trannys got handled differently than the manuals.
My 68 4sped M21 close ratio actually has a stamped car VIN devirative on it, same as the engine block. Those where apparently stamped at the same time from the same guy with the same stamps together with the engine pad.
The manual tranny is a real numbers matching unit versus the auto tranny only being a correct one.

Günther
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Chuck Gongloff
....BTW, I've never seen a VIN derivitive stamped on a THM 400, BUT, I'm really not sure...
I have an April built '68 (16666, not too far behind Gunther's) with the base engine and the TH400. VIN derivative is stamped on the tag on the 400.
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by DZRick
JohnZ,

Were these data tags only on automatics?

Also you know a bit about Z28s don't you? If so would you mind looking at some pictures for me and let me know what you think?

Rick
Only the THM400 had the riveted-on data tag. Shoot the photos to me at Snake488@aol.com.
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 01:43 PM
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Hi

That's a killer now.
So, there was no system , some have the car's VIN, some not ?

Did you check if the size and fond of the tranny's VIN numbering is the same as on the engine block ?

I know that on a manual tranny, that is a must because been stamped by the same guy at the same time.

I can't see how the car's VIN could be stamped onto the THM400 tag as it is held with one central rivet and actually not sitting flat on the tranny's carcase ?

Do you have a pic of this tag with the VIN derivative ?

Rgds. Günther
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 12:51 PM
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Guys, I will try to post a picture later if I can get the angle under the car.

The VIN is stamped on the top side of the panledge of the THM 400 in my 71 454. It is the original transmission to the car and has the data plate and info as shown earlier by John Z.

If my memory serves me correct it is on the drivers side ledge.

Loren
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