Transmission drain plug ?

[Wilma-Colorado]

I can not find a drain plug on my three speed manual transmission. 1970 F100, 302, LWB. Is it like the axle and doesn't have one ?

Wilma

[basketcase0302]

Wilma,
That three speed should have a drain plug, (but I'll let someone else chime in here as "slushboxes" / automatics are what I'm more familiar with). The 9" rear axle in your truck doesn't have a drain-they didn't put one in at the factory anyway-I brazed one into my ole EB the first time I had the axle out of it. There are a few different ways to drain and change the gear oil though, (not easily I should say). To get all of it out you'd have to pull the entire third member / to get most of it out you can use a drill powered pump with a 3/8" hose running through the fill hole on the side of the third member. Maybe someone else can chime in here that has an easier way also?

[sargentrs]

Maybe this will help? http://www.fordification.com/tech/schematics_g.htm All the 3 spds are there with exploded views.

[Wilma-Colorado]

Thanks Basket and Sargent,

As you can see, I'm not very good at searching for things on the Forum yet. I appreciate your patience. I'll look for the trans drain plug on the passenger side of the case - I chipped dirt and grease off the bottom and couldn't find it (lots and lots of crud caked on everything - the engine's had an oil leak for years.) I have an oil suction plunger for the axle. The truck's first chassis lube in probably years went well, I got all the zircs to take grease.

With the carb straightened out, it's actually fun to drive now.

Wilma

[Wilma-Colorado]

Still no drain plug. I cleaned the entire bottom of the transmission main case and found the filler plug high on the passenger side.

On Sargentrs's recomendation I went here: http://www.fordification.com/tech/schematics_g.htm and identified my transmission as a Ford 3.03 All Synchro 3 speed. The view shows a drain plug - part #373719S - which is not there on my case. I also took some photos, which are posted here: http://s1153.photobucket.com/albums/p51 ... -colorado/ I don't know what the numbers and letters cast into the driver's side of the case below the shift arms mean. I tried to get a clear shot of both sides and the bottom of the case. Also found some large white stenciled letters on the passenger's side of the main case - still cleaning to see what they are. ??

I'll just use my suction pump to empty the case and replace the gear oil, but I can't help wondering about that plug.

Wilma

[Donnie]

Have you cleaned the bottom enough to see if there is a plug that does not protrude, but may take a female tool to open it? It could be flush with the case & the cavity filled with grime. ????........just a thought. Also I noticed what looked like a blockage / obstruction in the oel cap on the drivers side valve cover...Is this so? Blocking that opening will prevent the engine from breathing & should no be capped off..if it is post back & one of us will correct your plumbing....Donnie

[Wilma-Colorado]

Hi Donnie,

Yes, I thought of that - a 3/8 or 1/2 female plug in the bottom that is just hiding in the crud all over the trans case. I used carb cleaner and rough scotchbrite to clean the case on the bottom and sides and could not find it if it's there. I'm sure it isn't, there is a smooth boss on the very bottom of the casting, a perfect place to drill and tap for a drain, but there's nothing there. I'm going to check again in the morning though, now that we've talked about it.

I have been nicked here on the forum now and locally on my bolt in the oil filler cap. Good catch by you in the photo. That hose went to the aircleaner housing outside the filter. It's not there any more. I should not have plugged it. I am looking for a plastic elbow (LMC has them) so I can re-connect it to what's left of the air filter housing. Only I'll have to connect on the inside of the filter as there's no big blue flying saucer of an air cleaner housing anymore. That means the air coming through that hose will be unfiltered, but it's been through the engine already.

I'll dig some more on the transmission case before I give up. Thanks for your post. I have learned a lot about my truck in the past couple of weeks and most of it has come through the FORDification forum.

Wilma

[Donnie]

Hi, actually this belongs in the engine forum, but I placed it here so you would find it:
If you recall the filter that was in the original air cleaner, held in by a U shaped clip that went to the oel cap.........
Go to the auto parts store & get this assy & fit it to your oel cap...it is easy to fit & you will have a filter that will clean the air going into your engine...once you see the part , it will self explain......I know that Fram makes it as do Motorcraft & many others...HTH......Donnie

[Wilma-Colorado]

Hi Donnie,

Will do on the oil cap hose and air cleaner fittings. That hose was not connected when I bought the truck, I found it under the seat.

I did the trans lube change the hard way today. Used a sucker to suck it out. I can now guarantee my transmission has no drain plug. Had to use a small diameter hose as there are interior parts just inside the case where the filler plug is, at least it points downward. The regular hose hit something and wouldn't turn down. I know I didn't get it all but I got about a quart. Same for the rear axle - got maybe a pint and a half but had to use the small diameter hose there too to avoid hitting the pinion shaft. Oily mess, but it's done. I replaced with Valvoline 80-85-90 gear oil. Was afraid to try synthetic.

Removed the rear suspension helper springs today too. But this is the wrong forum for that so I'll stop here.

Wilma

[Nitekruizer]

My transmission doesn't have a drain plug either. Strange. My Chilton book says to remove the bottom bolt where the extension (tail) housing bolts to the main (trans) case.