I just got a 1968 442 convert with a basket case for a shell, but the frame has been meticulously restored. The diff i cannot not seem to find to easily or just not in the right site for info so lets see if anyone can give me a clue. Much thanks.

 

I'm not sure if its the angle of the photo, but the cover doesn't look round. With 12 bolts holding the cover on and not being round I don't think it's an Olds rear end. Is it a Canadian built car? I've read that some years could have Chebby rear ends installed factory. The photos of the stamped numbers are blurry, could you post what the letters and numbers stamped in the tube are? I suspect the guys who really know differentials can identify it by the code stamped in it. John

 

CN 01278 ARE THE AXLE HOUSING PASSENGER SIDE, #'s on the gear housing is 12345 lower & 67890 on upper part of gear housing passenger side, also in a light stamp 57 & below that # is L268, thanks.

Oh yeah not canadian, lan car.

 

L268 Sounds to me like December 26, 1968

So probably a 12 bolt chevy from a 69


The date code includes the month, day and year such as J257. J257 would decode to October 25, 1967. Month codes are A through L for January through December.
A - January B - February C - March D - April
E - May F - June G - July H - August
I - September J - October K - November L - December

 

Thanks J, kinda bummed that its a chevy, but it will have to do as its been completely rebuilt. Thanks again.