Where would one find the production date code of a 1968 442 W30 on the differential cover? I'm told its at the 9:00 o'clock position as you look at the differential cover. Can't find anything. What does this mean?
Is it on the cover itself? housing? How many characters?

 

I am not aware of a date code on the diff cover - there isn't one on my '68 4-4-2 (non-W30). However, there is a date code on the center "pumpkin." I'm at work so can't double-check, but IIRC the date code is on the passenger side of the pumpkin.

I hope this is helpful!

 

I have three O-Type rears and I have not seen a date code on the cover of any of them. A date code cast into the center section makes a lot more sense.

 

Word is that the date code for the differential is stamped on the "pumpkin" to the driver side (9 o'clock position) of the cover in a smoothed out location for ease in reading. There is supposed to be a letter (A thru N (F and I are skipped) to denote the months of January through December, respectively), followed by a number (1 to 31) to indicate the day of the month. No year is indicated. Having said that, I have a '68 4-4-2 (Lansing car, 3.08 closed) and a '69 4-4-2 (Fremont car, 3.23 open), both with "O" type differentials, and I have not seen any indication of a date code where the experts say it is located. Both are stamped on the axle tube (passenger side forward and upside down) with the gear ratio code, but there is no indication that a date code was ever stamped onto the indicated part of the "pumpkin".

Randy C.

 

This is great info. Thanks
ill take a closer look