67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

[Rick M.]

Does the stamped build Date code on 1967 3 speed transmissions follow the same month coding as for 4 speeds? i.e. is A=Jan, B=Feb, C=Mar, etc? Since the first character for 67 date code sequence designates the Model year rather than the calendar year, I'm not sure if the month designation started when model year production started e.g. A=Aug or Sept. Thanks for your reply.
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

Does the stamped build Date code on 1967 3 speed transmissions follow the same month coding as for 4 speeds? i.e. is A=Jan, B=Feb, C=Mar, etc? Since the first character for 67 date code sequence designates the Model year rather than the calendar year, I'm not sure if the month designation started when model year production started e.g. A=Aug or Sept. Thanks for your reply.
Rick

Rick-----

The 3 speed month coding follows the same system as with 4 speeds (i.e. A=January, etc.).

[Gene M.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

Rick,
I have a 67 3 speed sitting on my work bench now that I just obtained from the owner that converted his car over to a 4 speed. I will check it out for you after dinner and post.

[Gene M.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

OK, here is what I find on the 3 speed. Main case #39589886 date C207, tail housing #3880042 date C177, side cover #3858992 date B287, steel tag #860097. The interesting thing I did not find any VIN stamping. All castings are cast iron.

So the standard dating holds true on 3 speed too.

[Rick M.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

Gene and Joe:
Thanks much for your reply. My month code apprears to be an A but the car was built in late Dec 66 so I was wondering if the coding was different for 3 speeds. Must not be the correct case for the car.
Rick

[Wayne M.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

Gene -- are you not quoting the casting dates of the maincase, side cover and tail housing ? [Maincase casting # should be 3858986 -- you mis-read and added a digit ].

For a Saginaw 3-speed with 2.54 1st gear, per Colvin and '67 Chevrolet dealer service bulletin, "Pass & truck identification information (Oct 4, 1966)", the assembly stamping date for all '67 transmissions follows the format that we're familiar with for the Muncies; ie. Plant/model year/month/day of month.

So for a Corvette 3-speed with the late March casting dates you show, I would expect (say) S_7_D_24 or similar assembly stamping.

[Gene M.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

Gene -- are you not quoting the casting dates of the maincase, side cover and tail housing ? [Maincase casting # should be 3858986 -- you mis-read and added a digit ].

For a Saginaw 3-speed with 2.54 1st gear, per Colvin and '67 Chevrolet dealer service bulletin, "Pass & truck identification information (Oct 4, 1966)", the assembly stamping date for all '67 transmissions follows the format that we're familiar with for the Muncies; ie. Plant/model year/month/day of month.

So for a Corvette 3-speed with the late March casting dates you show, I would expect (say) S_7_D_24 or similar assembly stamping.

Wayne,
Yes you are correct an extra "8", my bad. The funny thing this tranny has no assembly VIN derived number stamping on it. No build stamp I can find neither. Was the factor of the cast iron as opposed to the 4 speed aluminum have anything to do with it? I don't know.

No doubt the car was born a 3 speed as everything else checks out. Good casting dates. Correct shifter, arms, reverse switch, 3 speed plate. Was a no option car no nothing not even a radio. Open rear end, clear glass, black interior, maroon coupe. All build dates fall in with the car's VIN. Sad owner did not care to retain it all original.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

Wayne,
Yes you are correct an extra "8", my bad. The funny thing this tranny has no assembly VIN derived number stamping on it. No build stamp I can find neither. Was the factor of the cast iron as opposed to the 4 speed aluminum have anything to do with it? I don't know.

No doubt the car was born a 3 speed as everything else checks out. Good casting dates. Correct shifter, arms, reverse switch, 3 speed plate. Was a no option car no nothing not even a radio. Open rear end, clear glass, black interior, maroon coupe. All build dates fall in with the car's VIN. Sad owner did not care to retain it all original.

Gene-----

No stampings on the case implies the case started life as a SERVICE case. A transmission installed in a 1967 car should have both VIN derivative and manufacturing code stampings. A SERVICE transmission ASSEMBLY would have manufacturing code stamping but no VIN derivative. A SERVICE case would have neither stampings.

[Michael M.]

[Gene M.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

After reading Mike's post I was looking in the wrong place for the build. It is not where a 4 speed is. The date on the unit in my garage is #S7C21.

Having two 3 speeds on just this one posting without VIN derivative number in '67 build with all the casting dates falling inline kinda blows away the no number makes it a replacement theory. My suggestion is the 3 speed was not much of a replacement item especially that early in both of the car's life.

[David K.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

Rick,Sent you a PM, Dave

[John S.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

I can tell you on 67 Duntov car has its original 3 speed and it has no VIN stamp on it. I believe this is very well known that the three speeds were not stamped.

[Rick M.]

Re: 67 3-Speed Trans Date Codes

Thanks to everyone who has responded to this post. Your info has been helpful. As a followup to my tranny data: it has a build date of S7A05 (Jan 67) 3858986 casting, date K216, Tail 3880042 casting, date L216, and Side cover 3858992 casting, date L216. There is no evidence of a VIN number anywhere on the tranny and I can't find a source which says it should have one. This transmission may not be the original to my car which has a build date of Dec 18, 1966.