C1 Spindle casting number

[Ian G.]

hi all,

This question may be best posted to Tom parsons, but anyone else knows please chime in... I've seen on other threads that the 1953-62 C1 spindle is casting number "3693446". My car in particular is a 1959. Now the spindles that came on my car don't have this full number on them, just "134" on one side and "A" on the other. I assume the "134" are the last three digits of the casting number. I recently bought a 51 chevy front-end in order to get a replacement front crossmember and A arms. The spindles on this front end have cast "370" on one end and "B" on the other. The only difference between them otherwise, is the "370" spindles have a chamfered threaded end, while the "134" do not... Does any one have pics of the actual C1 front spindles with casting numbers and the threaded end? I know the castingn number is not judged today, but who knows by the time I finish the restoration? (It's slow going for me)

Thanks!
ian

[Al E.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

Ian,

here's a copy of my photo of one of the spindles they came off my Corvette and I do not see where this casting numbers located. Let me know I'll take some more pictures tomorrow of the other one and both sides so you can see it

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

Hey Al, didn't see any pics attached. Anyone know if 3693446 (or "446") is definitely the casting number of all 53-62 vette spindles?

[Erich C.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

The Chevy parts book ( dated 12-83 ) shows the following listing: (group #) 6.020 KNUCKLE ,Steering 53-62 Y ......................... 3737594 2 152.00 KNUCKLE (FORGED 3693446) (DAUB OF YELLOW PAINT) . In referring to the illustration in the parts book I found no part listed as the "spindle" . I think what you are calling "spindle" is called a "support" (vertical piece that connects to the upper and lower control arms ). The number (3693446) you are looking for is supposed to be on the "knuckle" ( part that the steering arm and brake baking plate bolts to and connects to the support via the king pin). I'm changing the coil springs on my '62 and will take a hard look at my knuckles. I'll post photos if I find anything.
Erich

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

spindle (hub spins on the spindle) = knuckle sorry. Yeah, the number is three digits and just below one attaching on the right-side arm...

[William D.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

Ian, have my 60 Vette front suspension currently on the bench. Looked at verticle support forging # and it is, 5147-3733450-CM-5. This part has never been touched, till now. Have owned this Vette right off the show room floor and I am the only one that molests and maintains it. Hope this helps, Bill

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

actually lookign for the three digit number on the knuckle/spindle (the part the hub rotates on)-- as opposed to the vertical support.

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

See pics below of the two knuckles/spindles I have. You can see the casting numbers and marks in them. I'm hoping to find out if "3693446" was the casting/part number for all C1 corvettes, or just 59...


IMG_1010.jpgIMG_1006.jpgIMG_1008.jpgIMG_1009.jpg

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

Ian,
I have one NOS in the box spindle (that's what I call them also). It has 170 and no letter that I can find. I also have a nice used spindle with 329 on it and no letter. No numbers can be seen on the spindles of my 51 or the 56 because MANY years ago they were chrome plated and everything was polished off of the parts for chrome plating.
As you can see below, the spindle is called Steering Knuckle Assy. I have no clue why the part number was changed to 3693323. This NOS spindle must be a very early part, both because of the old box as well as because it has 49-54 pass car and 53-56 Corvette written on the box.

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

Thanks Tom! Yeah I would love to know what the different part numbers were. There seem to be a lot for a part that was essentially unchanged for 10 years... Is Joe Lucia out there I imagine us Corvette owners would prefer this part not be judged or there would be a lot of one point deductions with all the casting no.s floating around :P Can you tell what number is on the spindles of your 57 (or was it 56)?

[Al E.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

hi all,

This question may be best posted to Tom parsons, but anyone else knows please chime in... I've seen on other threads that the 1953-62 C1 spindle is casting number "3693446". My car in particular is a 1959. Now the spindles that came on my car don't have this full number on them, just "134" on one side and "A" on the other. I assume the "134" are the last three digits of the casting number. I recently bought a 51 chevy front-end in order to get a replacement front crossmember and A arms. The spindles on this front end have cast "370" on one end and "B" on the other. The only difference between them otherwise, is the "370" spindles have a chamfered threaded end, while the "134" do not... Does any one have pics of the actual C1 front spindles with casting numbers and the threaded end? I know the castingn number is not judged today, but who knows by the time I finish the restoration? (It's slow going for me)

Thanks!
ian

This guy has what you are seeking..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-Spindle-L-R-1953-1962-/110848566567?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19cf16e527

Al

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

Thanks Al! By the way, your pics didn't display. I had to use IE to get mine uploaded and there is a 300K limit for each. I saw your post about your stroke, and I hope you have a full recovery and don't have another scare like that.

RE the spindle/knuckles: so HE says. They all look the same, which is the point of my post I asked him what casting number they are. But even if they match the casting number in my parts book, I still don't know if this was the number going back to 53, or even in late 58 when my car was built... I'm gonna message Joe Lucia

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

Ian,
I have one NOS in the box spindle (that's what I call them also). It has 170 and no letter that I can find. I also have a nice used spindle with 329 on it and no letter. No numbers can be seen on the spindles of my 51 or the 56 because MANY years ago they were chrome plated and everything was polished off of the parts for chrome plating.
As you can see below, the spindle is called Steering Knuckle Assy. I have no clue why the part number was changed to 3693323. This NOS spindle must be a very early part, both because of the old box as well as because it has 49-54 pass car and 53-56 Corvette written on the box.

Tom-----

The GM #3690841 is a very old part number. It dates back to prior to 1953, so it was probably never actually used on a Corvette. However, it's application was 49-53 passenger car so it should work for any C1 Corvette. It was replaced by the GM #3696323 (as indicated on the box) in April, 1953.

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

hi all,

This question may be best posted to Tom parsons, but anyone else knows please chime in... I've seen on other threads that the 1953-62 C1 spindle is casting number "3693446". My car in particular is a 1959. Now the spindles that came on my car don't have this full number on them, just "134" on one side and "A" on the other. I assume the "134" are the last three digits of the casting number. I recently bought a 51 chevy front-end in order to get a replacement front crossmember and A arms. The spindles on this front end have cast "370" on one end and "B" on the other. The only difference between them otherwise, is the "370" spindles have a chamfered threaded end, while the "134" do not... Does any one have pics of the actual C1 front spindles with casting numbers and the threaded end? I know the castingn number is not judged today, but who knows by the time I finish the restoration? (It's slow going for me)

Thanks!
ian

Ian------

Although there were two part numbers used for 1953-62 Corvette steering knuckles ("spindles"), there is only one forging number I can find record of. That number is 3693446 as you have found.

1953-57 Corvettes used steering knuckle part number GM #3696323. 1958-62 Corvettes used steering knuckle part number GM #3737594. Part numbers usually don't appear on the part (unless they happen to be the same as the forging number). (Actually, a forging or casting number is a part number, but it's the part number for the forging or casting and not the part number for a finished part.)

So, what's the difference between a GM #3696323 and a GM #3737594? I do not know but I presume it was some sort of machining difference. The 3737594 is definitely rearward compatible to 53-57 and I expect that the 3696323 is forward compatible to 58-62.

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 Spindle casting number

Thanks Joe. Something I notice when I look at Tom's picture is the part number was 3690841, while the forging number is "170". Too bad it's just the 3-digit number. Makes it hard to tell what the part number might be...