rear end info

[P.J.]

I have a 12 bolt 3969341 NF cast date F180 as I understand it the 341 were installed after 08A 1969. Is the casting date telling me that June, first shift, 8th day of 1970????

PJ

[69L72RS]

June 18th of 1970.
The axle code will tell if it is a Nova or Camaro.

[P.J.]

Thanks Julian
there is no axil code on the rear end
PJ

[Mr70]

I've found there are other ways to determine what vehicle it came out of,due to subtle differences between the two.Try taking/relaying the measurements of these precisely.

*Length from axle tube flange to axle tube flange.
*Length of one of the axle shafts.
*Length from one spring seat centerline to the other.

[Stefano]

I put a '70s Nova Rear in my '69 COPO Camaro. Thought it lined up real nice?

[Mr70]

As well it should have.
The 12 bolt housing used in the 1968-69-70-71 Novas,and 12 bolt housing used in the 1967-68-69 Camaros had the exact same measurements between the three points I noted.
The NEW 1970 Camaro #341 12 bolt rearend housing had different measurements there,compared to them and was also the last & only year for it as well.
They began using 10 bolts in Camaros begininng with 1971 production & on.
I believe the #341 rear housing was unique to the 70 Camaro only,but I'm not 100% sure and am curious to know what P.J. can relay between those 3 points I noted..

[Kurt S]

341 was also used in late 69 Camaros and 70 Novas.

[P.J.]

Rick can you be a littel more specific
on where you need the measurements as a sketch
would be better for me. And How do I measure the lenght of the axil shaft when it is on the car??
send me an email if necessary.
PJ

[P.J.]

Rick
the measurement from backing plate to backing plate is 53 inches.
PJ

[miket1]

is the spring perch center to center 42 1/2 inches

[P.J.]

Yes its 42 1/2 centre to centre
PJ

[Mr70]

A few years ago,I found a #341 coded COV rear for sale at Morris.
The seller told me it was exclusive to the 70 Camaro,not just by the axle code,but by the size of the #341 housing as well..I was stunned to hear that and asked in what way.He showed me,and said he was going by what someone from nastyZ28 told him what to look for,& recommended I contact that person to learn more.I did eventually contact him and he was very nice about it & told me the measurement differences were longer due to the new Camaros bodystyle.
I have a friend with a 70 Nova w/a #860 CBS rear,so we measured his and I compared it to the measurements I took off the one at Morris,which did conflict with our precise figures,give or take 1/16".

<u>COV</u>
Axle shaft length 30-3/16".
Axle tube flange to flange 55-1/4".
Spring seat center to center 45-5/16".

<u>CBS</u>
Axle shaft length 29-9/16".
Axle tube flange to flange 54-1/4".
Spring seat center to center 42-7/16".

I honestly don't know if this is a special secret or just misinformation,as I have not read about it elsewhere.But I don't frequent the Camaro/Nova forums as much &amp; would like to hear what others have found on theirs.

[Kurt S]

No mystery at all.
341 is just the center section. It can be used in any application that didn't need the top mounting points (like Chevelles used). Assemble with the correct axle tubes and components and ship.

[Mr70]

That does make sense.
So the minimal measurement differences could just be due to how the workers assembled the components into them?..or even wear/age?

[Kurt S]

One is a Nova axle, one is a 70 Camaro axle. They don't interchange.

[Mr70]

Those I get.
I was referring more on the varying axle tube related measurements.

[Kurt S]

I'm missing what you are referring to.

[Mr70]

I'm asking about why there is a measurement difference in the spring seat center to spring seat center,and the flange to flange areas on the two rearend examples I posted.
Could it be due to age,wear or how far the assembler just decided to intall the tubes?
Thought maybe this could be a way to identify a rearends designated vehicle application/year useage for either Nova or Camaro if the stamped application code is not readable.

[Kurt S]

OK, that doesn't change my answer. The measurements are way off because they are two non-interchangeable axles. It *is* how to ID the axles.
COV is a 70 Camaro axle
CBS is a late 69 Camaro / 70 Nova axle.

[Mr70]

Thanks Kurt.