Alg

Is there a cross reference linking Olds part numbers to casting numbers? I am looking for a front left spindle (the type with the hole for the speedo drive cable) on a 1968 98 with drum brakes. The part number that I need is 390696. The spindle is on the car , and the only number I can see is a casting number 696-7GM154B.

Another Forum member has offered to sell me a set of spindles from a 65-70 vintage D88 but with different casting numbers: 696-7GM201A and 696-7GM201A. He does not see any part numbers on these spindles. The official Olds parts manual shows considerable commonality ( but not total) between 88 and 98 spindles for drum brakes of that vintage; and of course, the disc brake configurations take a different spindle.

Is there a definitive reference that can link the casting number on my car to the casting numbers offered to me by the Forum member?

Happy New Year to all!
Thanks,
Al

MDchanic

I'm no expert on casting numbers, but those should all be the same part.

The GM number is:
390696.

The casting numbers are:
696-7GM154B and
696-7GM201A.

GM often used the last three or four digits of a part number on a part for reasons of space.
There would be no chance of confusion between a spindle numbered 696 and a trim piece or electrical switch numbered 696.

The rest of the numbers should identify the casting facility and the date of manufacture.
The 154 and 201 are probably Julian date codes, and I would bet the 7 is for 1967.

Someone else on this board may be able to give you more definite information.

- Eric

Alg

Eric, That's a great clue. The see what else the guys come up with.
Thanks, Al

Charlie Jones

Going by casting or forging numbers, when identifying parts, can be decieving. The same casting or forging may have been finished machined to several different specs to create different parts. Also the casting or forging number is often not the actual part number.
I checked the 1963-72 parts catalog at wildaboutcarsonline.com and found the following.
Group 6.103 Arm, steering knuckle
65-70 All, with power steering, except F-85 or Toronado use part number
391567 for left side and 391566 for right side.
It also notes that some 1965s had a different spindle and that it must be replaced in pairs with the new spindles.
The best idea would be to find out exactly what year car these spindles came from. 1966 to 70 should be an exact match. 1965 would be OK if installed in pairs.

Alg

Charlie,
Thanks for your reply. I am looking for the part with the spindle. The 391567 and 391566 numbers are for the next part inboard of the spindle. Olds is inconsistent - even in their official parts listings - on the use of the terms. "arm", "knuckle", and "assembly". It took me a while to figure that out.
Al

Charlie Jones

Sorry, my bad! The correct info should be:
Group 6.020 Knuckle assy, steering
1965-69 W/drum brakes except F-85 and Toronado
Part #390697 (LH) and 390696 (RH)
These same numbers were also used on 1970 on 5400,6400, and 6600 series without disc brakes.
There are also some notes to the affect that early 66 models had a different size spindle nut and that later nut and washer must be used. As well as the previously noted difference in 1965 parts.
As you can see, the same forging number (696) was used on both right and left spindles. Even though the left spindle was machined for a speedo cable.

Alg

Charlie,
That makes sense and seems to correlate with the information that I have been exchanging. Looks like the parts offered are what I need for my car.
Thanks,
Al

Charlie Jones

You're welcome Al, If possible, you may want to get the hub nut and washer with them if you can.