Hi All,
New to this forum,but not new to forums,so a little introduction may be in order.
I'm a U.S. citizen,South Texas born and raised, X-military (63/S Heavy wheel mech.), currently living in Germany,married,2 boys ages 17 and 21.

I have a 1979 L48 corvette with a leaky diff. VIN Data
1Z8789S440833

Division (1): Chevrolet
Car Line (Z): Corvette
Body Style (87): Two-Door Coupe
Engine Type (8): L48-350ci,195hp
Model Year (9): 1979
Plant (S): St. Louis, MO
Sequence Number: 440833

Tranny and motor both have the 0833 suffix so I figure they're original.

Funny thing is this vehicle is sporting a "Batwing" style  crossmember,with no apparent signs of it ever having been modified. I looked at the frame numbers with a mirror,and as far as I can see
it also carries the 0833 suffix.
Is it possible that it came from the factory like this?

Getting parts here is expensive, and if I order parts for a 79 diff ,I will most surely get the wrong ones.

The sequence # puts it fairly close to the end of '79 production, so it is possible that the newer style frames were used, along with the aluminuminum differentials. More research would be needed to confirm it, but...if the frame has the VIN derivative back there, and you see no evidence of the frame being modified to accept the batwing diff, then it is probably factory. I have changed the early style diffs to the batwing diffs...it's a major pita to do. The frame brackets have to be welded to the frame, and all of that has to be done in perfect alignment to get the wheels in the center of the wheelwell/body, as well as the correct driveline alignment.
Pics would be neat, if you have any.

Thanks Joel,
Is the same thing I was thinking.I have a line to the ncrs guys to see what they maybe can add.
Anyway a few pics would be nice.Can't seem to get any uploaded to here.
will get em on Photobucket and drop a link.
BRB

One that I repaired 2 years ago after a wreck on the Autobahn. This vehicle is the one that sparked my interest in the Corvette.

http://s726.photobucket.com/albums/ww268/ravoll/Susannes%20Corvette/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ20


And this is ours.


http://s726.photobucket.com/albums/ww268/ravoll/My%20Corvette%20Playtoy/

Enjoy.

Welcome to the Forum.

What do you mean by a "batwing" differential.

Gary, the term "Batwing" comes from the appearance of the diff from the rear. The '80(some) to '82 cars had an aluminuminum diff assembly, with the rear diff cover actually being the crossmember. I've got some diagrams loaded here somewhere....

Yeah...take a look at this..the bottom one is what we call the batwing....

https://www.c3vr.com/member_pages/4401_4500/4427/diff1.JPG

X-Military.Been out over 20 years now.Living and working on the German economy.Was stationed in Wertheim.

Welcome aboard!
 This thread caught my eye. I to was a 63S20 w/ASI H8 when I started my career in the military. I was stationed in Germany. I was at Ray Barracks, 3AD 1/32 Armor. Home of Elvis Presley. I miss being there.

If your car has the "batwing" differential then that would be the aluminum Dana 44. '80-'82's from what I have heard a long time ago was these were kind of a test bed for use in the C4 Corvettes. Whether it's true or not, I don't know for sure. I'm still waiting for my differential to come back from a place in Texas. I sent it out to have some mods done to it so it will be a lot stronger to handle next years "Baby LS1" swap I will be doing.

If you could get some pics of the rear end posted that would be cool.

Sarge

That's a neat assembly line tweak if it's for sure original. Never saw a 79 with the updated suspension from the factory before. Very cool and welcome aboard!! Paul