72 Rear gear id

[Bob H.]

Hi. I just purchased a 72 coupe with only 52k miles. I am trying to sort through issues while documenting originality. As best as I can tell the info on the rear is L R W 2 86 E. Does this make any sense?

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Rear gear id

Hi. I just purchased a 72 coupe with only 52k miles. I am trying to sort through issues while documenting originality. As best as I can tell the info on the rear is L R W 2 86 E. Does this make any sense?

Bob-------

It's a 3.36:1 non HD (u-bolt axles) positraction differential. It was manufactured at Warren, MI (where all 1963-79 Corvette differentials were manufactured). It was probably manufactured on the 86th day of 1972.

[Bob H.]

Re: 72 Rear gear id

Thank you Joe!

[Robert R.]

Re: 72 Rear gear id

Bob-------

It's a 3.36:1 non HD (u-bolt axles) positraction differential. It was manufactured at Warren, MI (where all 1963-79 Corvette differentials were manufactured). It was probably manufactured on the 86th day of 1972.

If i'm not mistaken, I believe the differential date code for 1971 and later was a julian date and before 1971 was an actual date. So, for Bob's car the date would most likely be the 286th day of 1971. Bob, if you check the build date of your car we may be able to confirm this. Also, I think this date is the assembly date of the differential since the housing and housing covers have different dates that precede the assembly date.

[Bob H.]

Re: 72 Rear gear id

That make sense since the car is early in production. Build date was 10/26/71. Tank sticker shows 3:36.