Oil change, Ford type 2 gearbox

[Steve L]

Someone must know this problem.

I found an inspection plug on the right side of the (Ford type 2) gearbox, but so close to the propshaft tunnel wall that I can't get a tool on the plug. The plug has no head but a square socket. Is there a special tool for this? Given the tight space, how does one get the plug out?

The other problem is that I don't see a drain plug on the bottom, but there is a large bolt with a brass seal on the top of the gearbox.

So how does one get the old oil out? Am I overlooking something, or do I need a suction pump with a flexible hose?

Thanks in advance. I KNOW that someone here has the answer.

OK, I bet someone is going to ask why I want to change the oil. Well, when I removed the propshaft, a fair amount of oil ran out. I have only seen a limited amount of gear oil, but it was always about the same color as engine oil. This is sort of a greyish color. Someone said, well Ford has a lot of different colors of gear oil. I was also told that I could use any SAE 80 weight oil. I am just *assuming* that I should not mix the two types of oil. (A real mechanic once to me that "assume" is spelled that was because when you assume something, you make an ASS out of U and ME.)

Thanks,

Steve in Germany

[Blatman]

To get it out, drill a hole in the passenger side tunnel. Quite a few of us have done that. If you don't want to do that, it may just be posible to squeeze a 3/8ths ratchet up there. It won't need a socket on it, as the "naked" ratchet will undo the bolt perfectly.....

Fill it with the same grade gearbox oil as what is in it. If you *know* it's got EP80 in there, then topping it up with more EP80 won't do any harm at all. Topping it up with EP90 on top of EP80 probably won't hurt it either.

There is no drain plug on most gearboxes because Mr Ford (who has spent *billions* developing gearboxes) has never felt it would be necessary to change the oil, only top it up......

FWIW, I have only "changed" gearbox oil when removing gearboxes, and all the oil fell out anyway Otherwise, I just top it up. Same goes for my diffs........

[Steve L]

Well cheers for that. (Although I am American, I have learnt that that is British for thanks.)

You don't address the matter of colour specifically, so I infer that you think it is of no concern.

I had thought about drilling the hole too, but hated to go cutting up things if there is a more elegant solution.

I guess you mean that the square drive is 3/8 inch. Is that a sure thing? I couldn't really check it, but I thought that it was larger.

Steve

[Blatman]

It is larger, but the 3/8th's ratchet will undo it without damage or rounding. It's what I *always* use....

Colour, as you pointed out, makes little difference IME.

You could always buy/borrow a sump pump and remove the oil that way for a complete oil change. It's an option if the oil is particularly old or nasty looking. If you can get a sump pump cheaply or borrow one, then it's worth considering just for the peace of mind that you'll then *know* what's been done, and what's in there.....

[adhawkins]

If you can get a sump pump cheaply

I only paid about a tenner for mine, well worth the investment (although I haven't used it myself yet...)

There are a number of online chandlerys that you should be able to get one from.

Andy

[Steve L]

Thanks for the reassurance. I do believe that I will take the risk. I have been fixing up a non-running Westfield for months now and am getting a bit impatient. I would like to at least get it on the road soon and start making a list of improvements for 2005. Already on my list is a 5-speed box...

Have a good summer. You guys are really quick with solid advice, or at least that has been my experience thus far.

Steve

[adhawkins]

We aim to please...

However, quite often, we miss.

Best of luck getting the car back where it belongs!

Andy