60 rear end ID

[Greg L.]

Is there any way to tell if the rear end of my 60 is original to it or not. I can't find any date casting or stampings but I tend to think that they should be there someplace....

[John H.]

Re: 60 rear end ID

Is there any way to tell if the rear end of my 60 is original to it or not. I can't find any date casting or stampings but I tend to think that they should be there someplace....

Greg -

The casting number and date are (raised) on the driver's side of the center section, and there's a stamped 2-letter ratio code and date on the front face of the passenger side of the center section (it's stamped on the as-cast surface, may require some effort to see it).

[Greg L.]

Re: 60 rear end ID

Thanks John. Is there anything on the actual rear end itself or just on the center removable "pumpkin" section?

[Gary C.]

Re: 60 rear end ID

Greg, hard to tell if a axle housing is original or not. There are some slight differences from 57 up. Main difference that separates passenger car housing from Corvettes is that Corvette brake flanges are rotated approx 27 degrees off center, whereas passenger car housing are horizontal. Posi housings have a dripper over the the ring gear and doughnut like gussets right inside the axle housings. 60 rear axle housing would originally have a .1 inch thick large washer like spacer between the axle bearing and the axle housing. If it's a posi the pumpkin (center section) "P" that John mentioned with be thin. Attached is drawing that Roy Braatz has previously posted. Gary....

[Greg L.]

Re: 60 rear end ID

Thanks guys I see it now. I didn't think it was original and it's not. Looks like 3-1-62 or 8-1-62.

The actual housing is a Corvette one though so that's nice.

Do you guys know if the axles are Corvette only or if other GM passenger car axles from the era will also work? I see that "bubba" went and installed longer wheel studs and then tack welded the back side to the flange. I can probably just grind the weld off and press them out but if not then I'm looking at having to get another set of axles.

[Gary C.]

Re: 60 rear end ID

Greg, here's info from 61 P&A on axles.
- 59 to 61 right axle 30 3/16 inch outside length (posi/non posi same)
- 59 to 61 left axle 28/7/17 inch outside length (posi/non posi same)
- 58 pass car posi axles same measurement
- 57 to 58 pass car non0posi axles; left is 28 9/16in, right is 30 1/16in
57 non-posi are 1/4in longer and can be trimmed to be used in a posi, otherwise they bottom out. John Neas posted previously about cutting the ends off. Don't know about using cut off 57-8 non-posi axles to use in a 60. Maybe someone else has. Gary....

[Greg L.]

Re: 60 rear end ID

Thanks Gary. Do you know if Pontiac, Buick and Olds axles will also work for these years or just Chevy?

[Gary C.]

Re: 60 rear end ID

sorry Greg don't have a clue. If you find someone with a cross parts catalog I can look the Chevy part numbers up. Gary....

[Rod K.]

Re: 60 rear end ID

Thanks Gary. Do you know if Pontiac, Buick and Olds axles will also work for these years or just Chevy?

Olds and Pontiac (and probably Buick) are definitely different designs, heavier duty. Tha's why we changed to complete Olds or Pont rears for racing. Parts (except some brake parts) won't interchange.