ConcoursMustang Forums
Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Drivetrain => Topic started by: TonyH on March 30, 2020, 07:37:51 AM
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Sorry if this is posted elsewhere within the site but I'm not finding it if it is.
I'm trying to find a source that lists the plant codes for the differential tags. I have an early 1968 San Jose S-Code and the differential tag is pretty bad due to corrosion. Plant Code appears to be 936. Understand all of the other numbers but what would 936 mean?
v/r
Tony
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I dont think thats a “plant” code.
It is an internal code that can be found on the build sheet . It coordinates to the axle ratio.
What is your axle ratio?
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I dont think thats a “plant” code.
It is an internal code that can be found on the build sheet . It coordinates to the axle ratio.
What is your axle ratio?
+1 .for sure.
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Agree with the rest - Surprise :)
It identifies the complete assembled rear end and would match the number found on the cars original buildsheet.
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/13/6-300320152728.jpeg)
On the third member metal ID tag
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/13/6-300320153641.jpeg)
And on a paper (much easier to see quickly on the line) tag wrapped around the rearend housing normally under a spring U bolt to help hold it in place for a few hours
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/13/6-300320153401.jpeg)
Worker at a sub station would get a copy of the buildsheet - pull the correct axle while someone else identified and pulled the correct rear springs. Once assembled as a sub assembly they would be placed on a feeder that would take it to the car assembly line where it would be placed on belt "belt" where the unibody was lowered over it and the exhaust system.
This practice is shown in a number of threads in the Assembly Line discussion area of the site or do a search using "body drop"
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Axle ratio is 3.25:1. I never had the build sheet for the car. First line of the tag is WES-M and the second line is 3.25 8A0 936 (if I'm reading it right). I have to admit that I'm not seeing how the 936 would coordinate to a 3.25 axle ratio. Maybe just a tracking number?
v/r
Tony
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................ I have to admit that I'm not seeing how the 936 would coordinate to a 3.25 axle ratio. Maybe just a tracking number?
Like the WES-M the 936 was just what Ford assigned to that particular combination. There are tons fo them if you check out the MPC
The buildsheet and tag are from 68 S code applications and the paper tag is an example from a 68 9 inch application
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Tracking...thanks Jeff.
v/r
Tony
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Interesting that the MPC tag diagram lists the three digit number in the lower left hand corner as the "plant code". This could be interpreted as "the code identifying where plant where the axle was built" or "an code used for quick identification of the rear axle at the assembly plant" or ...
Is there any information available in the Marti report? If I recall Marti reproduces these tags, so might be able to validate the number. I have not used those services so can't say for sure.
Since Jeff's example with an 8J date links the WES-M assy to identification number 936, and you have an 8A date...you might have been given the answer. Something closer to confirm that there was no change in between would be nice.
Jeff, it is my understanding that the axles were shipped out of the Sterling (Heights, Michigan) axle plant as complete assemblies, so would think that the tag was stamped and affixed at the axle plant. That would mean that a 936 would be the same across all assembly plants. Any comment or correction to this?
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I'm working with Marti to get a replacement tag. The original is totally corroded so trying to decipher the numbers. After a couple days in Evapo-Rust, I can really only read the back of the tag. I believe the second line is actually 3.25 8AD 936 versus 3.25 8A0 936.
v/r
Tony
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OK it sounds like you should be all set.
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On the bottom of this page you can see a chart of 1968 Shelby rear axle codes. That three digit number always coordinates with the axle ratio
http://www.thecoralsnake.com/SUSPENSION.HTML
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On the bottom of this page you can see a chart of 1968 Shelby rear axle codes. That three digit number always coordinates with the axle ratio
http://www.thecoralsnake.com/SUSPENSION.HTML
Based on the discussion above, I would agree that the three digit number always coordinates with the axle ratio. But I would expand that to say that the three digit code always coordinates with ALL aspects of the rear axle, including but not limited to:
1. Axle ratio
2. open vs. locking
3. bearing sizes
4. flange to flange length
5. attachments for mounting in vehicle
6. spline count
etc.
At the Sterling axle plant, they would of course build a 9" 3.25 axle for a Mustang, but also for a Galaxie or Pickup Truck. That is why they needed hundreds of three digit codes, not 10-ish
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On the bottom of this page you can see a chart of 1968 Shelby rear axle codes. That three digit number always coordinates with the axle ratio
http://www.thecoralsnake.com/SUSPENSION.HTML
Thanks, was not tracking on this website. Allot of good info.
v/r
Tony
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Yes thats Shelby only, designed to show a smaller sub-set
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Bear in mind that the codes shown on that page are known to have been used on Shelbys but they are not Shelby only. They were used on other Mustang / Cougars as well in 1968.
Yes thats Shelby only, designed to show a smaller sub-set
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Plant Code sometimes means the code corresponding to a specific physical plant, and sometimes it means a code used at a plant to identify a specific part. In this case it is the latter.
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Since Jeff's example with an 8J date links the WES-M assy to identification number 936, and you have an 8A date...you might have been given the answer. Something closer to confirm that there was no change in between would be nice.
If 936 identifies the rear end as being a WES-M I guess cross confirmation would not be a terrible thing but if they are both related then buildsheets ( of which we have through both periods might be enough documentation. Just a consideration IMHO though if someone wants to track it down - all would be good
Jeff, it is my understanding that the axles were shipped out of the Sterling (Heights, Michigan) axle plant as complete assemblies, so would think that the tag was stamped and affixed at the axle plant. That would mean that a 936 would be the same across all assembly plants. Any comment or correction to this?
Agreed - the tag would have been installed at Sterling and they supplier all three plants. See no way it would work any different
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https://www.deadnutson.com/rear-axle-paper-id-tags/
This is a good reference.
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https://www.deadnutson.com/rear-axle-paper-id-tags/
This is a good reference.
The MPC's each list the rearend coding used to identify the completed unit and include a wider range (year and application) See Reply #7 for a small look into what is included
Guess I could put a list or two in an article and post it in the Library. Shouldn't be much work
Thanks for the idea
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The MPC's each list the rearend coding used to identify the completed unit and include a wider range (year and application) See Reply #7 for a small look into what is included
The OP was asking about the plant code, which is not addressed in the MPC. The plant codes must be available because Kevin makes metal tags and Jack sells paper tags. One thing I have found interesting for 1970 production is that some build sheets have a "0" in font of the plant code and on some it is blank.
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I would say that there are two questions at least:
1. Does each individual "axle model code" align with a unique and single "plant code"? In the example used here, is the WES-M always a 936? If yes, for all years, several years, or a certain model year?
2. Does someone have a list that cross references these two codes?
Since both codes appear on the same tag, and since that tag was applied at the axle assembly plant, it would only make sense that both codes were applied at the same time. This causes me to think that there is a one to one unique relationship between the codes.
But why have two codes? To avoid errors, a 936 is easier to remember than a WES-M. 999 permutations with 3 numbers compared to 358,800 with 4 letters. Of course adding the "A" to the 936 adds to the equation, but only if there were also a 936B and others.
I agree it would be interesting to hear from Kevin or Jack on this. I would think that getting a replacement tag for a 67 GT500 or 69 B9 would be way more popular than a 66 Bronco with an I6, so they may simply be using reference data from known examples.
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Again I can only speak for a small subset of 68s, but yes one code for each
Here are the 68 Shelbys
http://www.thecoralsnake.com/SUSPENSION.HTML
In the build sheet code the first letter, refers to the year, except in the case of the DSO axles
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The OP was asking about the plant code, which is not addressed in the MPC. The plant codes must be available because Kevin makes metal tags and Jack makes paper tags. One thing I have found interesting for 1970 production is that the some build sheets have a "0" in font of the plant code and on some it is blank.
Believe Kevin has a list and it appears that jack (someone else makes the tags and Jack resells them (if I understand the process correctly). From Jacks website it looks like they have made efforts to reassemble a list from cars and or buildsheets, that is why his list includs a column for "verified"
The later process works if your focusing on certain axle codes for the labels but would be difficult trying to collect every combination for every year. Pete's list shows an example of this also.