Author Topic: 1968 Muncies - date code with small "c" at the end ?  (Read 7995 times)

bcmiller

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1968 Muncies - date code with small "c" at the end ?
« on: July 16, 2009, 04:44:12 AM »
OK, I know the codes for M20, M21, M22 (A, B, C) were not supposed to start until around late October 1968, at least on Chevy cars. But could Pontiac and Olds have started sooner?

I have a Muncie that I think is from an early 1968 Firebird.  The date code is P8B07c with a partial VIN of 28L100919.  I found pictures of two other transmissions with a similar small "c" stamp after the date code.  All stampings look very simillar.  I wonder if someone is trying to fool people that these are M22s or what is going on?  These are all from different parts of the US.  The trans I have was in an IMCA modified stock car, converted to a 2 speed with M20 gears in it.  So it was not fooling anyone there. I have gears to put it back to being a 4 speed M20.  I have never seen any of these small "c" marks on a Chevy transmission.  Does anybody have any ideas?

I have attached a picture.  This is from Muncie #2.  I have pictures of the two others but can't post now due to size limits.  I can send them to anyone interested that would like to comment.

Muncie 1 - the trans I have - date code P8B07c with a partial VIN of 28L100919
Muncie 2 - an Olds 442 trans? - date code P8C06c with partial VIN of 38Z117242
Muncie 3 - a Pontiac trans (GTO ?) - date code is P8A19c with partial VIN of 28P244597

Any help you can provide to explain this will be appreciated.
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

68Zproject

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68Z28

bcmiller

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Re: 1968 Muncies - date code with small "c" at the end ?
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2009, 10:00:23 PM »
OK.  Thanks.  But that thread is over 2 years old.  Has anyone figured out any more since then?

Inspection mark is usually on the top of the transmission.

The small c definitely does not stand for Chevrolet since I have them on Pontiac and an Olds transmissions.

The initials mentioned on the side of the case in that old thread were probably scratched into the mold
by the person doing the casting.  Probably that persons initials.  I have one with MH on it.
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

68Zproject

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Re: 1968 Muncies - date code with small "c" at the end ?
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2009, 11:09:04 PM »
I don't know.  I didn't have the c on mine (that I could find) and I do have the mold marks.  I think once a topic gets to the point that this one did, people accept it as done and move on to other things.  There's probably someone out there that knows for sure, but they haven't seen this yet.
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bcmiller

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Re: 1968 Muncies - date code with small "c" at the end ?
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2009, 12:02:06 AM »
Does anyone know anyone that may have worked at the Muncie plant in the early part of 1968?

Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

KurtS

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Re: 1968 Muncies - date code with small "c" at the end ?
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2009, 03:49:37 AM »
67 Muncies sometimes have a half size 7.
68 Muncies sometimes have a half size c.
I haven't really seen a pattern in the usage. I agree, inspector marks went on top of the trans.
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Marty

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Re: 1968 Muncies - date code with small "c" at the end ?
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2009, 07:24:15 PM »
The "c" actually looks like the lower have of an "E" to me. And it looks like it was in the gang holder when the assembly date was stamped. John, any photos of a Muncie gang stamp? How many stamps did it hold when full?

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bcmiller

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Re: 1968 Muncies - date code with small "c" at the end ?
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2009, 01:41:34 PM »
The gang stamp could help explain something.  I don't know.  It sure is not a true full size C because I have a picture of one with a March date code and it uses the full size letter.

It must signify something.  How about small c for "close" ratio - in other words NOT an M20. 

Did anyone try to cross check that?
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016

68Zproject

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Re: 1968 Muncies - date code with small "c" at the end ?
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2009, 05:47:16 PM »
I found one picture of a gang stamp.  I think there were others by Johnz.  Search under gang stamp and go to advanced search with Johnz and see what you come up with.

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=4131.0
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bcmiller

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Re: 1968 Muncies - date code with small "c" at the end ?
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2009, 02:11:06 PM »
I read through the gang stamp information.  I don't know if that was going on with the date stamps though. 

I did check the M21 in my car and it DOES have that small c or whatever character at the end.  I believe it is a
replacment transmission though.  Date code is after my build date by 5 months and so far I can't find a partial
VIN but it is probably on the top of the transmission.   
Bryon / 1968 Camaro SS 396 coupe - now old school 468 big block
1967 Camaro RS/SS 396 coupe L35/M40 - 4 generation family project
Looking for 68 Camaro with body # NOR 181016