[FrkSho71]

I’ve got a 71 GTO. The right side axle tube is stamped: P 0492 XF
I know the XF is the Safe-T-Track 3.23
Can i ask what the “P 0492” indicate?

[johnta1]

I'd say check the stampings again?


Your numbers should be a date code, for 71 it would be the number from the beginning of the year.


01 for Jan 1st to 0365 for Dec 31st. No 492th day of year?
If it was a 70 or earlier rear, it would be 04 for Apr 92 for day of month, still no 92nd day of Apr?


Probably the nine is misread?

[FrkSho71]

To me, it looks like a 9.

Could it be “P” for Pontiac, Mi plant,
“0” for year produced
“49” indicating 49th day
“2” indicating second shift?

[johnta1]

It could be 04 for April and 9 for day and 2 is for 2nd shift. (P is for Pontiac)
I thought they used 2 digits for the day 09 in this case, but they may have saved time and just the single digit. This pattern is for 71 and up axles.


Is your car a 04x date car?

[FrkSho71]

PHS doc says date shipped was 03/23/1971

[py71lemans]

P Pontiac
049 49th day of the year
2 second shift

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by py71lemans

P Pontiac
049 49th day of the year
2 second shift

Correct. Feb. 18th.

[FrkSho71]

I appreciate the help guys. This was my Pop’s car and i’m finally getting her done…!!!

[FrkSho71]

This was my father’s daily driver through 70’s into early 80’s.
He had 114,000 miles on in when he replaced her with a new Grand Prix.
I’m finally having car restored. Local guy here in CT is doing the rear end and asked what brand of internals I wanted to use. Any suggestions would be helpful. I’m keeping 3.23 gears and thinking of going with a 200R4 trans that he will also rebuild. Car will be driven but not raced. Motor was done already with mild improvements by Jim Taylor(R.I.P.) back in 1998-ish.

I guess i’d like to know what brand for internal on rear end rebuild and any advice on what it takes to replace TH400 with a 200R4.