BE Code Rear - Opinions on Stamping

[talwell]

I have a BE coded 12 bolt rear that I bought from a reputable seller that is liquidating his collection after over 30 years. The story of this rear is that it was bought at a swap meet in Englishtown, NJ about 12-13 years ago and stored since. He had intentions to use it but never did put it to use. He knew exactly what a BE coded rear was so he did not give it away. I also viewed a massive collection of big block treasures and other great period parts that he had in his collection. The original COPO HD internals are no longer in the rear as it is now running a 5:13 gear set.

Here is the pic of the stamp - I had Eric look at it and he said it is questionable without very close and forensic inspection. What are your opinions?

BTW - if you do need this rear to complete your COPO or ZL1 project let me know as the car I was planning to use it for has sold and I no longer have the specific need for it.

[Mr70]

Can you reveal what Eric considered questionable?
I too am looking to understand these better..

[talwell]

There was some concern over the "E" part of the BE. As you know, the BE was specific to COPO and ZL1 cars only and are very expensive and hard to locate. Many people have taken the BL coded rear and made the L look like the much more rare and expensive BE coded rear.

I also had someone else interested in the rear that forwarded a picture to Jerry who stated that he would need to see it in person but also could not make a determination based on the picture given the same concerns.

[Mr70]

Is the base of the E in the BE code longer then it's top two fingers,or is that just the angle of your picture?

[talwell]

I believe it is just slightly skewed by the angle of the camera shot. I have not done any forensic level of measuring depths, lengths, type sets or strike patterns but to the open eye in person it does not appear to me to have been a restamp. I just want to make my best effort to provide an accurate description of the part when I offer it to anyone.

[69 Post Sedan]

The middle line on the "E" in the BE appears to be different than the lower "E" for the Eaton stamp. IMO

Or, did they use a different stamp for the Eaton posi?

[70 copo]

The Eaton E looks fine. The E in the BE looks like an L overstamped with an F. There are so many fakes today you really need to watch out. I suspect that the 4.10 HD gearset is long gone right?

[beater68427]

As far as depth originally they were just stamped by hand, and depth changes from letter to letter and so on, Also stampes were changed out as time went on, I started to look into these more after pulling one from my 68, Mine looked to me as the gears and posi were changed out in 1970 my carrier is a HD unit and gm 4:88 gears all dated early 70 Mine I think is real even with a early date it was just in a old race car that hadnt seen service in over 30 years, and as me for a long time racers really do not care if its rare or not. I also have another 4 searies carrier (empty) that came with my car that is damages looks like a pinion nut had came off and drove the pinion into it. I think alot has to do with where a part came from to decide, most of that things life it was just a Camaro 12 bolt... here are some sample pics

[beater68427]

[BARRY]

HI can you post a picture of the hole rear end