Where COPO's Go To Die

[PapsMaro]

Got the rear end home, trans, drive shaft, and maybe the bell housing? I’m not sure what it is or if it’s original. I think it is but not positive. How do I confirm that it is the original rear end?

[R68GTO]

Looks like an M21 Transmission. Check the trans for VIN stamping. On the rear end, look on the passenger side tube on the section that faces the front of the car. There should be a stamp there for both the model (you're looking for BE) and the date of manufacture. Be careful in uncovering the stamp, don't use anything abrasive like sandpaper, it will mar the stamping. Clean it up gently and submit a few photos. Gotta be exciting for you, hell, I'm excited!

[PapsMaro]

[QUOTE=R68GTO;1545372]Looks like an M21 Transmission. Check the trans for VIN stamping. On the rear end, look on the passenger side tube on the section that faces the front of the car. There should be a stamp there for both the model (you're looking for BE) and the date of manufacture. Be careful in uncovering the stamp, don't use anything abrasive like sandpaper, it will mar the stamping. Clean it up gently and submit a few photos. Gotta be exciting for you, hell, I'm excited![/QUOTE

What do you recommend I use to clean it with? Just a brush? Thank you for the knowledge also!! I’m beyond excited!

[Too Many Projects]

It looks like it's mostly rust. I would use a wire brush with a rust penetrant to loosen it. Once you have the rust cleaned as well as possible, it may still take light sanding with 400 and water as a lubricant to reveal the stamping. You just don't want to use anything aggressive for sanding.
The stampings for the trans should be on top. It will have a coded assembly date and should have the last 6 numbers of the vin too. They can be almost anywhere, but the top was the most common, usually on the main case, but sometimes on the midplate.

[PapsMaro]

Hard to see

[Too Many Projects]

That's a casting number. The numbers you are looking for are on the axle tube, between the center carrier and the backing plate. They are usually on the side facing forward, but can be almost anywhere on that tube. They will be recessed from a hand held stamp, not raised as part of the casting.


Here's a pic of the assembly code you are looking for.