Topic: April '68 GTCS diff marks...

[Oz390]

Removed the diff today (C code/C4) and found these.  Anyone know what the two greenish marks might be (kinda an "o" and "3" and the orange looks a bit like (X?6 or (9YX)







Suggestions on the best way to de-crud the center to leave any marks to note before repaint, but remove 47 years of grime?

[J_Speegle]

Removed the diff today (C code/C4) and found these.  Anyone know what the two greenish marks might be (kinda an "o" and "3" and the orange looks a bit like (X?6 or (9YX)

Thanks for sharing

Those particular marks, I've found, are not really consistent and are possibly ones applied at the Sterling plant rather than San Jose

The orange ones at the center are often seen - don't recall an X but will look through the collection. Most often (if I recall correctly - years do flow together) its often a number with a line under then

Suggestions on the best way to de-crud the center to leave any marks to note before repaint, but remove 47 years of grime?

Remove the axles then the third member. Put in in a tray or if you have access to one of those parts cleaners with the heated detergent flows I've had plenty of luck that way. A little light rubbing with a not too hard brush - less aggressive means less likely to remove paint with the grease and grime - and take your time

Looks like its pretty well protected from rust under there so that should do it

[Oz390]

Thanks Jeff.  Leaning towards an "83" on the greenish one, still not sure about the orange. 

Thanks for the tip on cleaning, will post any more for reference if I find them...

[J_Speegle]

Well we don't have to fully understand them or even recognize them to reproduce them on the finish product. Though its nice when we do

[Oz390]

A few more found today.

many are too vague to really tell how to reproduce, so will just keep the photos and not replace them...

a few blue places on the pumpkin, behind the tag, on the web and on the "snout", a small dark blue patch on the ring as well.  Yellow dot on yoke.







Blue "8"



Possibly some green/yellow marks



Maybe a "1" and "5" or some other squiggle in orange



Green white marks (both sides, probably brake related would be my guess on these two...)

[WT8095]

Removed the diff today (C code/C4) and found these.  Anyone know what the two greenish marks might be (kinda an "o" and "3" and the orange looks a bit like (X?6 or (9YX)

The number could be "94X" (seems some of the orange fell off leaving a "ghost" 4). Do you have a partial rotation number on the side or bottom of your fuse box? Do the numbers happen to match?

[J_Speegle]

Again thanks for posting

Most are typical- seen before  for this year

For those viewing please don't copy these to your car

The marks on the back of the backing plates identified to the builder the exact application (size, shoes, of set...)

The yoke and washer (engine blue and yellow) are also typical. The blue was applied once the full assembly was together - often part of that spray onto the pinion support and yoke

8 on the bottom of the third member has been seen in a couple of different colors. The number at the top of the case (yours looks like 15) and on the passenger side (part under your id tag Can't make it put fully) likely identified workers who completed specific tasks ) responsible  for putting the 3rd member together or possibly an inspection and in turn that guys number

Dudley's late June had a similar mark in that location that started with 9  - 8" also. It also carried the blue 8, the yellow and blue yoke and washer mark. Plus have a number of others.

Check the back side of the housing  and the bottom  at the center (3 rd member) point for some thick large markings

Also nothing at the brake line junction hole?

You must be using that new environmentally safe brake cleaner as the older or stronger stuff would strip paint off - but not as bad /quick as carb cleaner

[J_Speegle]

The number could be "94X" (seems some of the orange fell off leaving a "ghost" 4). Do you have a partial rotation number on the side or bottom of your fuse box? Do the numbers happen to match?

That's not a location I've seen used for that purpose - believe that mark is from the Sterling plant and the location and color was used back into 65 production



Just sharing what I've seen and documented

[ruppstang]

Here are some of the marks found on our 68 HCS built 7-16-68.

[J_Speegle]

Here are some of the marks found on our 68 HCS built 7-16-68.

Interesting that yours had the yellow end. Not something I've seen on 8" rear end housings

On 9" housings in 68-70 have found it on either passenger or drivers side - first thought it was a directional indicator but that didn't hold up

[Dudley]

for reference as Jeff mentioned, '68 SJ c code.  I frequently used a portable fluorescent light for illumination which created a yellow glow or reflection on the car, as visible in the last picture on the axle. I am trying not to use it anymore.

[ruppstang]

Dudley what a treasure you car is I hope to see it in person some day.

[Oz390]

Thanks for all the follow up info. 

There were no marks I could find on the rear of the housing or the side opposite the white stripe...

[Oz390]

So if one was to reproduce these marks, what type of marking device?  it appeared in cleaning the rear that there were some that were incredibly durable paint, some moderately durable paint and some chalk...

white stripe - nuclear blast proof paint (wire wheel didn't even take it off)
blue "splotch" marks on orange area - "firm" paint
ornage "15" on carrier housing - "medium" paint
yellow dots on orange and yoke - "firm" paint
green/white on backing plate - paint between firm and nuclear proof 
orange-y numbers on shoulder of axle (9?X) - chalk or some "soft" paint
white "e" - less durable paint then white stripe, but more than (?X paint
seafoam "83" - similar to "e"

Just go buy some hobbyist paint and copy as close as possible or different types for different items...

[67gta289]

I picked up a 9 or 10 pack of various Testors paint colors for about $12 at Hobby Lobby.  Per Jeff's recommendation, I used Dixie cups to mix colors together to make matches.  After a while I got pretty good, time to get a second job at a painter's supply store...  I have various color Markal chalk sticks also.

The hardest thing for me was trying to determine the original colors.  Sometimes I could scrape through and find clues below the surface.  When I could not, I just matched what was exposed, and what was potentially changed over time.