69 Steering Gear Box

[Wes G.]

I have a late build 69 (Aug/69) and found the following casting numbers:
Steering Gear Housing: 5677648
Aluminium Cap: 7802287 (plus a symbol and the nos. (9 & 14)
(Pictures attached)

After researching the Forum I didn't find any mention of the Housing casting # 5677648. Although, reading from Joe Lucia's comments there were a number of them used.
However, with regards to the Aluminium cap, it sounds like the 7802287 if found on the caps is a rarity (ie, according to Joe Lucia's comments as not seeing a cap with a number on it and the NCRS 69 Judging Manual stating that the Aluminium cap did not have a number or symybols etc. on it).
Does anyone else have this Housing Casting number or can add more info regarding its' use?
Are there any others out their with Aluminium Caps as I have found? Can anyone explain the extra symbol and numbers found on this cap?
Thanks
Wes

[Wayne M.]

Re: 69 Steering Gear Box

....Are there any others out their with Aluminium Caps as I have found? Can anyone explain the extra symbol and numbers found on this cap? ...

I have the same cover casting # as you, on this GM service steering gear assembly # 7808927, bought off someone in Montreal, in the early '90s.

I'm guessing that the tag stamping under the bolt refers to 29th day of September, which sort of agrees with the 8 and 14 cast on the cover.

As to the gear casing # 5677648 (or 9 ?) it's the same as on my late 396, so probably didn't change over the C2/C3 early years.