'72 differential yoke caps?

[Douglas M.]

had my new car on a lift fora thorough going over. Vin 508510, built about 12/2/1971

Motor is original to car, CKX motor, trans numbers match VIN also.

Tag on trans reads CK 5681 with 322 over the 5681. I figure the 322 is a Julian date, what is the 5681? I also figure the CK has something to do with the motor.

The differential, has stamped AWW 322 E1. AW is 3.08, W is warren, 322 is a Julian date, again, I believe, What is E1?

Numbers all seems to match, VIN to motor to trans, dates all seem right.

Now, the differential yokes are cap type yokes, like used in a BB car, not U bolts. Is this normal on a '72 car, or did someone change out the yokes?

The very original looking leaf spring, is about 3/16" narrower than the space between the four long bolts that hold the spring to the differential. is that normal also? Or is something else up?

The starter is 1108430. I think the date code is wrong, it looks like 2F62. Not sure how to read that.

I will post pics of the frame and underside a bit later in another thread for input on other things, also.

Thanks,
Doug

[Edward J.]

Re: '72 differential yoke caps?

Doug, with the auto transmisson the u-joint straps were the H/D ones, same as the big block car.

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 differential yoke caps?

had my new car on a lift fora thorough going over. Vin 508510, built about 12/2/1971

Motor is original to car, CKX motor, trans numbers match VIN also.

Tag on trans reads CK 5681 with 322 over the 5681. I figure the 322 is a Julian date, what is the 5681? I also figure the CK has something to do with the motor.

The differential, has stamped AWW 322 E1. AW is 3.08, W is warren, 322 is a Julian date, again, I believe, What is E1?

Numbers all seems to match, VIN to motor to trans, dates all seem right.

Now, the differential yokes are cap type yokes, like used in a BB car, not U bolts. Is this normal on a '72 car, or did someone change out the yokes?

The very original looking leaf spring, is about 3/16" narrower than the space between the four long bolts that hold the spring to the differential. is that normal also? Or is something else up?

The starter is 1108430. I think the date code is wrong, it looks like 2F62. Not sure how to read that.

I will post pics of the frame and underside a bit later in another thread for input on other things, also.

Thanks,
Doug

Doug------


After 1969 the heavy duty axles (i.e. using cast iron caps as opposed to u-bolts) were used on many small block applications. For example, my brother was once the original owner of a 1973 with L-48 and 4 speed with 3.36:1 rear and it was originally equipped with the HD axles. I've seen many others, too.

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 differential yoke caps?

Doug, with the auto transmisson the u-joint straps were the H/D ones, same as the big block car.

Edward------

All 1968-76 Corvettes with THM-400 transmissions used steel straps instead of u-bolts for the driveshaft u-joints. The same thing was true for 1971+ with 4 speed transmission.

As far as half shaft u-joints go, none used steel straps. All big blocks used ductile cast iron caps and many small block applications after 1969, regardless of transmission type, also used the same ductile cast iron caps.

[Paul O.]

Re: '72 differential yoke caps?

Doug the rear differential cover could be a service replacement I do not remember the bolt size but 3/16" gap does not seem correct. Later covers were for a later wider spring.

Paul 18046

[Edward J.]

Re: '72 differential yoke caps?

Edward------

All 1968-76 Corvettes with THM-400 transmissions used steel straps instead of u-bolts for the driveshaft u-joints. The same thing was true for 1971+ with 4 speed transmission.

As far as half shaft u-joints go, none used steel straps. All big blocks used ductile cast iron caps and many small block applications after 1969, regardless of transmission type, also used the same ductile cast iron caps.

Joe, I should have worded it correctly- caps not straps, I was impling the auto. 400 THM used the heavy duty style caps.