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| | | Forums66 Topics128,129 Posts1,056,695 Members48,452 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 | I set out to change the lube in the rear end of my 1949 4100, single speed rear end. I found the fill plug, but was unable to find a way to drain it. What am I missing? Do I have to remove the rear housing to get it drained. I'm worried about finding a replacement gasket, if I do.
Any ideas appreciated. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | Jaskey,
I 'think' you can pull the fill plug, then remove one or two of the bottom bolts from the cover and, voila, out comes the lube. Removing the fill plug acts as a 'mega-vent'. Just put a little silicone on the bolts when you stick them back in.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 584 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 584 | I just sucked my fluid out the fill hole. Worked fine. Sure I missed a tiny bit of gunk at the bottom, but got 98 percent of it. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | I concur with removing one or two of the bottom cover bolts as that is what worked for me. The filler plug will work as an air inlet. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 | I think I will try removing a couple bottom bolts, with the filler plug out.
Thanks to all for the suggestions. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 187 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 187 | I pulled off the whole cover just to look at the condition of every thing. Gives me a chance to clean out the gunk in the bottom and blast and paint the cover before using a good RTV and sealing it back up. I had a previous post on the crud in the rearend. No way was that thick stuff coming out by just removing a couple of bolts.
'36 Tall cab Chevy 1.5 ton, '36 Low cab Chevy 1.5 ton, '53 GMC 2 ton, '51 GMC 640 5 ton, '47 Dodge 2 ton, '42 GMC CCKW 353 6X6.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 | So, you just ran a bead of RTV (silicon ?) around the cover when you put it back on. No gasket?
I like the idea of seeing the condition of everything inside.
Thanks! | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 187 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 187 | Yeah, just run a bead of black RTV around the cover, smooth it out around the bolt holes just enough to get about an 1/8" thickness put the cover on and start your bolts. Tighten evenly and wipe off any excess, or wait till it dries and cut any excess with a razor blade. I've done it ton's of times. No leaks. 
'36 Tall cab Chevy 1.5 ton, '36 Low cab Chevy 1.5 ton, '53 GMC 2 ton, '51 GMC 640 5 ton, '47 Dodge 2 ton, '42 GMC CCKW 353 6X6.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 7 | I'm going to give it a try.
Thanks! | | | | | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 608 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 608 | Jaskey, Another old trick to make yer own gasket,if ya dont gottsa new one is to use a cover from a Pizza Box Not the serrated kind like Dominoes. The flat one piece sheet that most reg mom an pop stores have! Regards............ | | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 176 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 176 | RTV Will work fine, that's what was used even from the factory on many of the later trucks.
1970 C50 dump! saving orphans from the CRUSHER
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