Howdy All --- Seems I'm not the only one who's had trouble finding the numbers on Big Bolt rear axles & gear sets so I thought I'd share this.
Just picked up a bare 195" frame that has both axles for the wheels & spare parts. It had been sandblasted and is in great shape but had sat in the rain for a couple of days and grew a thin coat of fresh oxidation. All it took was a little penetrating oil a and a wire brush to bring up the axle numbers. Turns out they are stamped on top of the center section in between the two ribs.
I also pulled the inspection plate in hopes that this might have the elusive 5.43 gear set I have been searching for the last year, but alas...no such luck.
The ring gear is also stamped with both the gear count & ratio. In my case (once again) this one turned out to be 6/37 which is the factory standard 6:17 ratio.
Below are a couple of pix if you were wondering just where to find these markings.
Rear Axle ID Stamp http://www.flickr.com/photos/tango88/8619847373/ Ring Gear Stamp 1 http://www.flickr.com/photos/tango88/8619846899/ Ring Gear Stamp Close Up http://www.flickr.com/photos/tango88/8619846637/You aces probably already knew this but here's hoping it might help newbies like me.
And BTW...if anyone can use a long wheelbase frame just give me a shout. I will be removing the axles but the frame itself is in excellent condition and I just hate to see it go to the scrapper. Pick it up here in Houston and it's yours for free.
1942 Chevy 195" WB Frame http://www.flickr.com/photos/tango88/8619847553/ 
