Hi Buzz . I have 2 clean B-body shafts i'm looking at right now and my numbers are 13.5 " from the REAR caps , top of the numbers facing the front to trans , part number wrapping around the tube about 2" to 2.25 long ending with the month and year up further on the tube , but after the part number . I don't think stamping a tube is a crime , its only a part number , not a vin number and as long as it's the right length , diameter and shaft for the car , who cares . the numbers are so lightly stamped you can usually never find them anyway .