57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

[Ken G.]

Well, having been swindled by a NCRS member a year ago I am finding out that I bought a disaster of a car to restore. I am determined to to make it a top flight car however but I need lots of help!! You know, make lemonade so to speak

My transmission appears to be a 4 speed from 1964(?) with the following numbers: 3845122, K236, I believe it is a Cleveland. I would like to trade/buy a proper 3 speed. My car is serial number 101257 and I believe the build date would be around Nov-Dec of 1956 so I need a xmission with similar dates if at all possible. My transmission is nicely rebuilt btw.

The rear axle/diff, (after I have rebuilt it) does not have any numbers that jive with the books I have. On the right side of the front cover it has the numbers: K796 and 3725999. Does anyone know what this came off of? All of the vette parts, bearings etc fit it perfectly during the rebuild so maybe a chevy passenger car???

So I am looking for a proper rear end also, maybe all I need is the correctly dated front cover?? Can anyone help me with that?

Is there a way to date the manufacture of my car #101257? When it comes time for me to stencil the frame should I use revision #40 or #41???

Thanks Gang

ken

[Steven B.]

Re: 57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

Ken, per the Birthday Book your assembly was December 12.

[John H.]

Re: 57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

My transmission appears to be a 4 speed from 1964(?) with the following numbers: 3845122, K236, I believe it is a Cleveland.

The rear axle/diff, (after I have rebuilt it) does not have any numbers that jive with the books I have. On the right side of the front cover it has the numbers: K796 and 3725999.

Is there a way to date the manufacture of my car #101257? ken

Ken -

3845122 is the casting number for a Saginaw 3-speed main case, dated November 23, 1956, which makes sense with your car's build date.

Are you sure the differential housing isn't 3725899? The 5899, dated K196 or K296 (not K796) would make sense, and works with your car's build date.

'57 S/N #101257 was built on or about December 12, 1956 according to the "Birthday Book".

[William C.]

Re: 57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

What leads you to believe this is a 4 speed car? the VIN was prior to the release of 4 speed trans. How many shafts are on the side cover?

[Gary C.]

Re: 57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

Ken, as previous posts stated the transmission and rear end numbers are good for your car. Corvette rear axle housings brake flanges were rotated at a 25 degree angle. If your's are rotated and not perpendicular with the ground it's definetely a Corvette rear axle housing. On the passenger side of the pumpkin there is a stamped in assembly date and code. See if you can find those and post them as well. Please post the transmission tailshaft number, cast date and whether it has a vent or not. Also on the side of the transmission to the upper rear of the side cover there's an assembly date stamped into the flange. Post that info as well. Not sure what makes you think you got taken with what you've posted so far. Post some pictures when you get a chance. Gary....

[Ken G.]

Re: 57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

OK, I got out the BIG magnifying glass and the BIG light and sure enough, John your are correct! I am feeling much better thank you

John, any idea if revision #41 was in use by Dec of 56? I need to place a stencil on the frame and not sure if it should read "-40" or "-41"

Ken

[Gary C.]

Re: 57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

Ken, I'd say 40, but am traveling and don't have my doc's with me. Maybe John can say for sure. Gary....

[John H.]

Re: 57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

I have the Fourth Edition of the '56-'57 JG, and it gives no guidance on how the three frame stencil suffixes relate to build dates; someone else will probably chime in who has the latest info.

[Ken G.]

Re: 57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

Thanks Gary, the tail casting number is GM 1 1227 3737450, it does have a vent and I cannot find any other numbers on the case or flange.

I barely and I mean barely made out with the help of a beer and imagination a "AH 1(1)? on the right side of the pumpkin.

My issues with the car and the seller stem from being a car that was nicely restored with most of the mechanicals done, good paint etc, it just needed interior, chrome etc. The seller is a BMOC up in Ohio especially with 57 Chevy cars, he has a parts business for just these cars, not vettes but the Bel-air etc.

Gary, when the car arrived the paint was very amateur, runs drips, fish eyes and more, there were so many cracks in the paint from ancient fiberglass I would stand a better chance of counting the stars than the cracks So I started all over, the body was so bad I had to cut off the entire front end and throw it away. The frame was so distorted that the car rolled with only 3 wheels touching the ground! It was "rebuilt" with rusted/frozen ancient wheel cylinders, shot brake drums, springs, wrong bushings, frozen rear axle bearings etc etc etc. Ultimately it is my fault for not going to Ohio to inspect the car, but darn it, I thought I could tell an honest voice. All that and more for $40K. Without a doubt the roughest car I have ever tried to restore.
Bottom line, it is a lucky car because I will make it as good as I possibly can. The minus is that I know NOTHING about corvettes, give me an old ferrari, porsche, lotus etc and I know my way around.

Thanks for all the help!
Have fun at Barrett Jackson!

Ken

[John H.]

Re: 57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

I barely and I mean barely made out with the help of a beer and imagination a "AH 1(1)? on the right side of the pumpkin... give me an old ferrari, and I know my way around. Ken

Ken -

"AH" is a valid '57 code for a 3.70 non-posi axle; the stamped date is most likely 11-something (two digits).

Photo below look familiar?

[Gary C.]

Re: 57 rear axle and transmission HELP!

Ken, thanks for explaining. Thought you were referring the the transmission and rear end. Transmission tailshaft is also correct. Lucky there as those are expensive and hard to come by. Sorry about the paint and condition. When you repaint gelcoat IMHO is necessary to fill and prevent further cracking. If you get a chance try to make the Lowe's Motor Speedway Regional in April. Good luck with the restoration. Do not hesitate to post your questions and the 56-7 Team on the TDB will work hard to answer your questions. We're working the NCRS booth at B-J Auction. Gary....