Transmission drain plug

4starservice
4starservice Member
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hello,



I have been working on my 1949 Super Six 4 door. Almost have the rear axles back in. The rear seal on the transmission was leaking so I have that pulled out. When I went to remove the drain plug on the transmission it appeared that an allen wrench was the tool it was designed to be removed with. Then the suprise, the wrench just turned in the plug. A closer look and the plug appears to be made of a hard rubber? With the allen wrench in it will flex some. Is this original? It seems the only way to get the plug would be to carefully drill through the rubber and clean out the remaining material and fit an NPT plug in its place. Any input on this drain plug and whether it is some kind of patch or original?



Drew

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Wo, THAT's bizarre! Take heart, someone with a '49 will jump in here soon and help you out.



    I have a '37 and the plug has a simple square head that one can turn with any adjustable wrench. You're sure you're looking at the actual drain plug? (Sounds like some former owner improvised something!)



    By the way, have you viewed Ken Cates' Step-Down page? You might possibly find some enlightenment here regarding your problem... http://members.aol.com/stepdown53/STEPDOWNPG.html
  • 4starservice
    4starservice Member
    Yes I'm sure its the drain plug its at the lowest point in the tranmission casting, in fact the casting extends outward/downward surrounding this plug. What you have on your '37 is exactly what I'd expect and thats what the fill plug is on my car. I did forget to say that it is a 3 speed manual, no overdrive. Single shift lever (transmission and bell housing have to be removed as a unit and can be separated once out of the car). I'm afraid as you say that this is fix of some kind and if so there may be little or no threads left in the drain of the transmission. Oh well I hope I look this good at 58 years old.



    Drew
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Some One Has Jerry Riggeed Your Pluc, They Were A Square Headed Pipe Fitting, Dig Out The Rubber And Run A Large Tap And Clean Out The Threads, Go To The Hardware Or Auto Parts Store And Buy A New One. Some Are Available With Magnetized Body To Pick Up Shavings, Etc, Happy Hudsoning, Bill Albright
  • 4starservice
    4starservice Member
    Bill,



    Thank you very much! That's exactly what I figured was the case but wanted to get someone with more time around Hudson's to give me an opinion. As soon as I can get this strange plug out I will be able to assess the threads and move on. A magnetic plug would be nice to have if I can locate one.



    Drew
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Original plugs wre either 1/2 or 3/4 inch pipe plugs I forget which size, available wherever pipe fittings are sold. As an aside, my 89 Dodge had a rubber plug in the rear end from the factory!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    my 31 essex has something wierd going on with the trans drain plug too. it is just a bolt on that car, but when i removed the bolt, nothing came out, ok fine ill top it off, i stuck a hose in it to fill it and it was full. i tried poking a wire through the hole thinking it was just some sludge clogging it up but it was hard like a bolt. who knows.
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