65 rear axle U joint outer flange ID & finish
My question is two part . (This is part number 51-41 in the long island book) The rear outer universal joint flanges that came off of my 65 BB have a number 3843018 cast into them ( I think they are original ) . I have another set that I think came off a 67??? that do not have any casting numbers but look the same as the 65 pair . I know these are not the early 63 castings I have one of those too . I also have a NOS GM flange that looks completely different and has Spicer cast into it . So what years do I have ? What is correct for a 65 BB. Second question I think these flanges were forged not cast ,if so they should have the darker forged coloring and not the lighter cast blast look . The spicer part finish looks like cast blast .
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Last edited by Bill W.; February 15, 2015, 06:52 PM. -
Re: 65 rear axle U joint outer flange ID & finish
Bill------
The GM #3843018 u-joint flange was used from 1964 through 1974. It may also have been used for very late 1963 and was definitely SERVICE for 1963. This is a forged piece and every one I have seen has had the 3843018 forging number on it. Of course, that does not mean that every one ever made had the number on it. I believe these flanges were of GM internal manufacture.
For 1975, things changed. Beginning in 1975 the flange was manufactured by Spicer and was of a somewhat different configuration but it was a forged piece, just as the earlier. This flange was GM #360913 and was used at least through 1979. It also became SERVICE for 1963-74 when the 3843018 was discontinued. I don't think the 360913 number appeared on these flanges although it's possible it did on earlier-manufactured examples.
Tip: the 360913 flange used to be available through Spicer dealers as well as GM and it cost a LOT less from Spicer dealers. It's now discontinued from GM. I don't know if it's still available from Spicer.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 65 rear axle U joint outer flange ID & finish
Bill
I have an original and it is marked 3843018 - the 4 and 3 are cut off from the center bore and the "0" is flat on one side - below circle is
GM 6 ^ looks cast to me but could be forged - these came off of complete rear assembly that I removed from friends car and installed Ford 9" for drag racing. Rear assy had never been apart.Comment
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Re: 65 rear axle U joint outer flange ID & finish
Hi Carl . Yes thats the same as mine except mine is cast GM 15 A . They all have a forged "ring " when tapped with a wrench . What is the color light or dark ?Comment
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In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 65 rear axle U joint outer flange ID & finish
Joe,
Spicer still makes them( Mex). They were back ordered late last summer for a while. Bairs sells a nice flange too, which I believe they have made. I have used both for years and the only problem I had was in my son's 75 when he sheared the spicer solid joints and of course bent the flanges.Comment
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Re: 65 rear axle U joint outer flange ID & finish
Bill,
I'd call color light - but then that is subjective - what is light to me could be dark to someone else -Comment
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