can anyone decode this Canadian axle for me - 12 bolt, casting number 3959038, casting date code C249, assembly date 0325K, LE axle ratio code. Diff cover has a smile on it. Can not identify the LE code. Believe the axle is from a Canadian built 1969 Skylark but not sure but it carries a Chevelle casting number Axle is coming off a 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge because it is incorrect for the car. Axle runs perfectly, Judge is a Show Car. Need to identify the axle for sale at some point
c249 MArch, 24th 1969 rear 0325K March 25th assembly plant McKinnon Industries LE code is 2.73 open Did you remove the rear cover to double check the ratio? That is the only true way to tell over the years .... what is on the tube is only what the rear was assembled with from the plant. Jim Mitschke J D Race
Many thanks Jim, we will open the differential cover when we remove the axle from the car. Very likely to be a 3.76 or a 4.05? It is certainly not a 2.73, far too buzzy! Any idea what this 12 bolt is worth, I will want to sell it once we install the correct Pontiac GTO Judge unit Graham
Well the condition is everything then the axle code is next. I do not pay too much for 12 bolts as most need lots of work at this time of 40-50 year old units etc. they will need total rebuilds. Then the factor that some one replaced the parts ...most will have issues as they never get done correctly...lol. See what ratio is in there. Jim 250.00 -1000.00
If it is still the 2:73 non-posi,$400.00 is the most I would go,and that is if the housing is real nice.Otherwise not worth it. The only thing I would actually use is the housing and caps. I would get new gears,a posi unit,new axle shafts,bearings/seals,etc. If you get the cost up too high,you might as well buy/build a new Moser 12-bolt. Maybe once you open it,you will find something more desirable to make it worth more.
PLUS you do not even know if the housing is tweaked...WHICH most are after years and years of service. I usually stay away from steep geared rears as they usually have been really beat up. I will buy a core 2.73 open rear over a 4.10 posi non original geared 12 bolt chevy rear for the punishment factor alone. Jim J D Race
Thank you for the input. As I mentioned the axle is on a Pontiac GTO Judge Show Car. The exterior is perfect and it runs quietly and smoothly. But beauty can be skin deep. I will post again after it is removed from the car and replaced by the correct Pontiac unit
GTO I got a 12 bolt BOP (Chevy) code LE out of a Judge. Nice unit then had Brian Trick send me all new everything. I already had brand new Richmond 3:73 gears. It can get very exspensive.