Decode 5679142 manual steering box

[302V8]

I was trying to decode a manual steering box i picked up.  maybe you guys can help me ?    i see the box number 5679142   there is an 8 above that and   a 199 below that,  I guess the 8 is the year and 199 is the julian day.  but what does the a2048 stamp mean?     thanks for any input.   vince

[KurtS]

199 is the cast date (Julian style).
A2048 - A is unconfirmed, some say shift but I think plant, 204th day of 68.