I must be searching the wrong thing because I didn't find an answer.

What is the 7 digit number on the top of the transmission?

I know there are different shapes and different shif levers which differentiate the transmissions but does the number on top have any bearing?

Anybody?

Everything that I've read implies that the number means very little. I've never seen a table or reference that you could use to find out if the number tells you anything about the transmission..

http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/GearRatios.html

That page has all / most of the transmission serial numbers

the number itself is on the bellhousing somewhere

http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/GearRatios.html

That page has all / most of the transmission serial numbers

the number itself is on the bellhousing somewhere

The numbers stamped into the top surface of the bellhousing are not the transmission type codes. They are quality control / casting batch number stampings that were for internal use, and not intended for the use / reference of the general public.

What you might see occasionally is a part number ink-stamped onto the front mating face of a transmission. Cross-referencing this part number will tell you the type of transmission and the ratios inside, but I have only ever seen this ink stamp on transmissions that were supplied as service replacements or as Sports Option / 'Competition' parts, and never on a transmission fitted as standard equipment on a car as it left the factory.