Trans Tag Help

[Erv M.]

Please help decode this tag143_4301.jpg

401 should be the date
CK = small block
69= year of production
3712=?????

[Erv M.]

Re: Trans Tag Help

Is the 401 in the picture the date or is the 3712 the date being 371 julian date equating to January 6, 1969 and the (2) being the hour in the shift it was manufactured.

If the 3712 is the julian date with hour of the shift manufactered what is the 401?

[Terry M.]

Re: Trans Tag Help

I don't have all my references here with me on the Road Tour, so I am working from memory. I think the TIM&JG might have the answer for you, but that is not with me either.

One of those numbers is a Julian date, but the transmission Julian dates are not restricted to the calendar year -- they begin in the year the model year starts -- in your case the 1969 model year started in calendar year 1968. So a 1969 model transmission built on the last day of 1968 -- say December 31, would be 365 (Unless 1968 was a leap year in which case it would be 366) Then if the next workday would be say Jan 2 and that would be 367, and so on. So the 371 could be a date in January 1969. Second shift, I think.

I think 401 is the transmission serial number. Or maybe I have it backward and 401 is the Julian date and 3712 is the serial number. That could be too, and I don't have my references here to check. Maybe someone has their TIM&JG and can check for you. Consider adding the Judging Manual to your reference library. It is worth what you pay for it.

[Terry M.]

Re: Trans Tag Help

After sleeping on this question some additional thoughts:
There was a story about CY transmissions in The Restorer in the 1990s, I think. It might have some of the information you want -- although the TIM&JG should be easier to find.

[Erv M.]

Re: Trans Tag Help

I have a TMI&JG which is fairly worn due to issues like this, however it does not address what the "401" is. I do believe the CK3712 represents the folowing: application (CK) julian date (371) which starts January 1, 1968 so that puts it at January 6, 1969. The TMI&JG does not address the (2) which could be the hour of the shift the trans was manufactured.

The trans does have the partial VIN stamped on it so I assume it is the correct tranny. Just wanted to truly understand all the codes.

[Terry M.]

Re: Trans Tag Help

Erv -- send me a PM after July 25, and I'll look in my reference material. I will be home by then -- good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.

[Terry M.]

Re: Trans Tag Help

I have a TMI&JG which is fairly worn due to issues like this, however it does not address what the "401" is. I do believe the CK3712 represents the folowing: application (CK) julian date (371) which starts January 1, 1968 so that puts it at January 6, 1969. The TMI&JG does not address the (2) which could be the hour of the shift the trans was manufactured.

The trans does have the partial VIN stamped on it so I assume it is the correct tranny. Just wanted to truly understand all the codes.

[Erv M.]

Re: Trans Tag Help

Terry,

I have the same edition. What confuses me is mine only has on the top line stamped 401. It does not have a model year or model identifiaction on the top line. It does not have a Turbo Hydramatic logo screened in blue with the two-letter braodcast code of the transmission. Would this have been removed over time?

So according to the TIM&JG the "401" is the date code. This would be Wednesday, February 5, 1969.

Then downward is CK 69 3712. What does this mean?

[Terry M.]

[Erv M.]

Re: Trans Tag Help

Yes the February 5, 1969 works for my car. The information you provided cleared up the entire issue.

Thank you for your time.

Erv