Assembly dates out of order?

[Mr. T]

Looks like these drivetrain assembly datecodes below are out of sequence. Shouldn't the earliest assembly date start at the rearend, and then onto the transmission, the engine, and then the car assembly date last? The dates below are kind of jumbled around a bit. Correct?
What is more important, the casting dates or the assembly dates? I would think both. I just want to brush up a little before I go and look at some 69 Camaros. These dates kind of threw me for a loop I guess, or maybe because it's 2am!! Thanks guys! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif


Color codes (Interior/ Exterior)
76: Daytona Yellow
713: Black custom deluxe interior
Vin# 124679L513716
1=Chevrolet
2=Camaro
4=V8 engine
67= convertible top
9= year 1969
L=Los Angeles built car
513716= sequence number December 1968

Engine #ís:
T (Tonawanda engine plant)
1119 (November 19)
JI (396-350hp with automatic 400 turbo transmission)
Vin on block: 19L513716
Casting #ís:
Block: 3955272
Heads: 3931063
Intake: 3981067 Date code (K=Nov, 7th day, 68 year)

Transmission:
CE: (Chevrolet 396-350hp)
69 (year)
290 (production day of the year)
1894 (sequential build number)

Rear end:
BU : 3:73 posi-trac
12 : month of Dec.
14: 14th day of Dec.
G: Gear Axle plant
2: (night shift)

[Mark_C]

No. The drivetrain components were all built in parallel in different plants. Engine assembly had nothing to do with transmission assembly which had nothing to do with rear axle assembly.

Engines were usually assembled within a week or two before the car build date and are the components are usually cast a few days before assembly. Obviously the other engine components installed at the assembly plant, intake, heads etc. must be cast prior to the assembly date. Engine components added at the assembly plant, like carbs, distributor, exhaust manifolds may be dated before or after the engine assembly date as they are drawn from stock and installed at the vehicle assembly plant not the engine plant.

Rear axles are typically dated much closer to the car build date than any other drivetrain component, almost always less than a week from the vehicle build date, unless it is an odd gear ratio, or something like a JL8 rear disc axle which all seem to be dated around the same time.

[Mr. T]

On a Norwood built car, what should be the assembly date order? When I look at these 69 Camaros, where should I start first. What should be the earliest assembled part? For example, should I start at the rearend for the earliest assembly date, and where do I go from there and so on?

[Mr. T]

And what would be the assmebly date sequence for a LOS car?Thanks! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Kurt S]

Distributor and exhaust manifolds were done at the engine plant.