Half Shaft Part Numbers stenciling

[Richard G.]

I came across a picture of the 3872908 Half Shaft.
It has been discussed before which part number is correct for what cars.
However, I failed to find information on the part number stencils for the different half shafts used in C2 & C3's.

It is my understating that the drive shaft from the transmission had the part number stenciled on it and I built my 63 as such.
However, I didn't stencil the half shafts.

Below is the picture of the 3872908;



My question, is this a over the counter part or an original from the the factory installation?
Should it have the part number as delivered "new from the factory?"
Are all the C2 half shafts stenciled? This may be a better worded question.
I understand 3872908 isn't the correct part number for a 1963.
However, would the 63 have the part number stenciled on the shafts?
And is the stencil a judged item?

Thanks
Rick

[Edward J.]

Re: Half Shaft Part Numbers stenciling

Rich, I myself have never seen a stenciled part number on a C2 half shaft, other than later C3 's have a silver tag with a part number and have not seen anyone that has put a stencil on a restored car. when I judge I am not looking for a stencil with a part no.

[Mike M.]

Re: Half Shaft Part Numbers stenciling

of the more than a dozen c-2's I've restored, I've never seen a part # stenciled on half shafts. given, half of the shafts were pretty rusty and if a part # was present at st Louis assembly, I'd have missed its presence on the rusty shafts. mike

[Joe R.]

Re: Half Shaft Part Numbers stenciling

Agree with Mike. Done several 63 and a lot of C-2 and have never seen one stenciled part number on a half shaft. Of course I have not seen them all.

JR

[Ray K.]

Re: Half Shaft Part Numbers stenciling

All,

My recollection is that the half shafts that we sold over the parts counter in the late 60's and early 70's did have part number 3872908 stenciled on them, as did the half shafts used in the '65 - 69 Corvairs. They were very similar, and this helped to identify them as they were not a boxed item.

Ray

[Richard G.]

Re: Half Shaft Part Numbers stenciling

Thanks to everyone that chimed in.
Seems my 1963 is correct without stenciling.
Also seems this is likely a over the counter replacement part.
I sure appreciated everyone's input.
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: Half Shaft Part Numbers stenciling

All------


It's like this: half shafts used in PRODUCTION included the assembly of universal joints, outer flange, and shaft assembly (tube+welded-on yokes). Half shafts sold in SERVICE included only the shaft assembly( tube+welded-on yokes). Consequently, although the shaft assembly sold in SERVICE was used to make up the PRODUCTION assembly, the two assemblies had a different part numbers.

Also, there were different PRODUCTION assemblies and, for awhile, SERVICE assemblies used for 66-74 big blocks+ LT-1+L-82 and L-78 +all other 64-74 small blocks. The 1966-74 big blocks + LT-1 + L-82 shafts were shot peened; the L-78 + all other small blocks were not.

PRODUCTION assembly part number for all 1966-74 big blocks + LT-1, + L-82= GM #3882785.

PRODUCTION assembly part number for all L-78 + all other 1964-74 small blocks= GM #3847899

SERVICE assembly part number for all L-78 + all other 1963-74 small blocks = GM #3832044 (non shot-peened tube)

SERVICE assembly part number for all 66-74 big blocks + LT-1 + L-82= GM #3872908 (shot-peened tube)

The GM #3832044 was discontinued from SERVICE in March, 1966 and replaced by the GM #3872908 for SERVICE of all 1963+ Corvette applications. Apparently, GMSPO decided that the shot-peened part would be used to SERVICE all Corvette applications, thus eliminating one part from their SERVICE inventory. However, the 3832044 continued to be used to make up PRODUCTION assemblies for most small blocks right through 1974.

I highly doubt that the part number for shaft-only assemblies (i.e. the part number of the part sold in SERVICE) would have been stenciled on the tube section of the PRODUCTION assemblies. There would have been no reason for that and I expect it would have created confusion at St. Louis. However, after 1965, with 2 different PRODUCTION assemblies on the line, there must have been some definitive way for the assembly line workers to distinguish one from the other. What it was, I do not know. Perhaps a paint stripe or mark.

By the way, the GM #3872908 was discontinued from SERVICE in 1977 and replaced by GM #360912. The latter is the 3" tube half shaft used for 75-79 Corvettes. The PRODUCTION assembly for 1975-79 was GM #352990.

[Ron G.]

Re: Half Shaft Part Numbers stenciling

Just to add what Joe Lucia said, the aforementioned half shafts that were shotpeened were shotpeened with size number 31 shot. In all my years, I have never seen a half shaft that was stenciled in production unless it was bought over the counter.

[Michael J.]

Re: Half Shaft Part Numbers stenciling

I would agree with that.