Regarding the front axle, I've seen no tag, (or holes for screws or broken off drive screws), and no casting numbers or stamped numbers. Pictures attached, 1 of the front within the rest of the rear pics. I'm not too worried about gears, don't have anywhere that I can, or have the need to drive fast around here, probably 50 tops and I have my '40 Chev for road trips. My main concern is brakes. They've never worked for me, and I don't think they worked much for my grandfather. Maybe occasionally with a lot of pumping. The 248 ran decent last time I drove it (summer '09 I think. Time flies!).