'61 Transmission Date

[Richard P.]

I am replacing my '61 transmission and need to know if the dates I have found for a replacement will work.
My car engine pad has a date of 12-07-60. The transmission I have found has a casting date of 11-29-60. Will this date work?

[Jack H.]

Re: '61 Transmission Date

Remember, the engine and transmission were separate assy's that shipped to St. Louis independently to be mated on the power train line to meet up with the target vehicle they'd ship out the door on. So, the engine assy date from your stamp pad isn't the 'correct' date to reference! It only says when the engine was originally built in Flint...

You go by the car's interpolated 'birthday' based on its VIN. The general NCRS rule of thumb (some specific exceptions for certain parts given in both the Judging Guide and the NCRS Judging Reference Manual) is 0-6 months prior to the vehicle's final assy date...

[Loren L.]

Re: '61 Transmission Date

Driver's side of the main case will have an "assembly" stamping; WE1812 =s Warner Gear, May 18th, 1961, second shift.

[Richard P.]

Re: '61 Transmission Date

How do I interpolate the build date of the car? My VIN is 10867S104375.

[John H.]

Re: '61 Transmission Date

How do I interpolate the build date of the car? My VIN is 10867S104375.

January 4, 1961, give or take a day or two.

[Loren L.]

Re: '61 Transmission Date

#4306 is the last car built in Dec 1960, so as John indicated either the first or second day that the plant was open after New Year's Day.

[Mark P.]

Re: '61 Transmission Date

I recommend using the judging manual because you want to make sure the casting dates on the main case, tail piece and side cover work for your car along with the transmission assembly date.

[John H.]

Re: '61 Transmission Date

Note that axle and transmission "numbers" aren't checked in Flight judging.

[Mark P.]

Re: '61 Transmission Date

Take a look at my post "1960 Transmission question" on June 10th, 2008. There was some good feedback given about how judges sometimes judge the various dates on the tranny. I was also advised that it is possible that this will be more standard in the future.

[John H.]

Re: '61 Transmission Date

Take a look at my post "1960 Transmission question" on June 10th, 2008. There was some good feedback given about how judges sometimes judge the various dates on the tranny. I was also advised that it is possible that this will be more standard in the future.

That's great for the skinny guys, but I judge Chassis too, and the only way they'd ever get me to check transmission "numbers" (especially on a midyear with sidepipes) is to put the car on a lift! . I doubt if there are lifts in Flight Judging's future.