copo axle codes

[Steve Shauger]

Were all 69 camaro copo rears coded BE regardless if they were 4.10 or 4.56 ratios

[bowtie3168]

I am not sure of the answer to your question.You might check "The Definitive Guide to 1969 Camaro Z-28 thru SS 396" by Jerry MacNiesh, the book has a chapter on "BE" coded rears. I hope that this info helps.I will check my copy and get back to you. You can E-mail Jerry from his website www.z28camaro.com.

Andrew

[Charley Lillard]

I couldn't find any mention in Jerry's book but in Hoopers book it lists the Copo 456 rear code as DT.

[COPO]

There is some conflicting info. As Charley said, Hooper's book shows "DT", but in Ed Cunneen's book he says that 4.56:1 wa available but the rears were still coded "BE". I would think Hooper might be correct in this case.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Some trivia/FYI:

The '70 COPO rears also had a special code, CBW, that was usually a 4.10 ratio. There are three rears found so far that have something other than a 4.10. One rear has 4.56's and still has the CBW, another has a 3.73 and the last has 3.55's - they also have CBW codes on them. It is unclear if they were ordered this way, were installed in error, or if they were installed due to a 4.10 gearset shortage. They are all date coded correctly, and were found on original, unrestored cars.

Marlin

[Keith Tedford]

If the 4.10-1 and 4.56-1 rearends were coded the same then the assembly line people would not know which rear end they were installing. Each rear end combination gets its own ID. As an example our COPO Chevelle has the KQ 4:10 axle assembly while our 396 car has the KK 4:10 rear.

[bowtie3168]

I mentioned Jerry MacNeish's book in my last post. I have found the specific page, again the book is "The Definitive 1969 Camaro Z/28-SS396 Fact Book". Page #s 57,and 58 are about 12 Bolt Camaro Rears. There is specific "BE" COPO info on page #s 59 thru 62.

Andrew

[JoeC]

On page 58 of Jerry's book he states " the lowest RPO rear axle available was 4.10. A 4.56 or 4.88 ring and pinion had to be dealer installed. However, factory installed 4.56 and 4.88 ratios were available through COPO ordering info. COPO/9511DT is a 1969 Camaro with 4.56 rear axle ratio"
This agrees with the 1969 Camaro Power Teams chart which was used when ordering a car. The 1969 Power Teams show 4.10 as the highest ratio. The 1968 Power Teams chart goes up to a 4.88 ratio.

[Kurt S]

Keith,
I agree that they should have different codes, but from what I know, there is a good chance they didn't.
BTW, I only know of one 69 COPO ordered with 4.56 gears. Anyone know of others?