62 Rear axle housing worries

[Clayton B.]

I have a 62 for which I have the rear axle disassembled. It appears there is no way to verify the axle housing "pedigree" but I am worried about the REALLY CRAPPY welds that appear to attach the rear axle flanges (in which the axle bearings reside), to the main axle housing. They are really terrible and I'm worried someone bunged 'em up. (The same incompetent welder put "wheelie bar" brackets on the axle which I had to cut off leaving the attendant scar).

My main question is, the flanges are canted toward the front of the car so that the top edge of the flange is angled about 20 degrees down rather than parallel with the frame rail. Is this canted housing correct?

If someone out there has a picture showing the relationship of the axle housing to the bearing flange I would be most appreciative.

Before disassembly, it seemed to me that the rear of the car sat a bit high but I couldn't find a reason for that. Could this be the reason?

The pumpkin outer case numbers are: H246 (August 24, 1956????), 3789812 (Wasn't made until 61?????) GM 8, "P"-.

Inside, on the differential case assembly is a real jumble of numbers:
5 15 64B 23617X (the aforementioned numbers appear to be stricken out), 6932966AA 22221X 9 29 67A 23617X

Then, is there any good news on this assembly of numbers?

Thank You very much for your consideration/help. I've had to change the frame and don't have the original engine so "matching" isn't an issue for me.

[Ted S.]

Re: 62 Rear axle housing worries

Clayton, here's some pictures of the one from '58. The housings are the same other than the radius rods that were added in the later c1s. Mine had the holes slotted for the locating pins so we had to replace the mounts. In one of the picture you see a jig that ws used to locate the mounts. You'll also get an idea of what the original welds looked like. Hope this helps.

[Clayton B.]

Re: 62 Rear axle housing worries

Ted;

Your reply looks to be good news. Your welds are about as rough as mine. Also, I note that your bearing housing is tipped the same way as mine.

I suspect I have an aftermarket axle though since I cannot make sense of the numbers except for the casting #.

Thank you for relieving my anxiety about the axle.

Fred (Clayton)

[Ted S.]

Re: 62 Rear axle housing worries

If anything with an H246, I would guess the pumpkin to be a '66 rather than a '56 which would make it a service replacement. Is the P thin or thick? Where are you seeing the other numbers at on the inside?

[Gary C.]

Re: 62 Rear axle housing worries

Clayton, C1 axle housing are rotated forward 27 degrees. Passenger cars are parallel to the ground. Not to worry, sounds like you have a Corvette axle housing. Do a search, Roy Braatz has posted info on axle housing flange ends before. Also, originally .1 inch spacers were used with the bearings. Gary....