OC-46 final drive housing interchangeability

[Eric Carlson]

Well, I got the one side rebuilt and thought I'd check the oil in the other only to find that the drain and fill plugs don't line up with the holes. The trunnions and brackets aren't worn that bad so that's not it. After I scraped all the crap off of the inside of the housing I noticed that the casting is different than the side I just finished. Also, someone torched part of the frame to get the housing off without pulling the studs so I know it's been off. Could this housing be from an OC-3 or 4 or, from a different production 46? I can fill it thru the sprocket via the plug by the pinion shaft bearing housing but I might have to torch part of the lower track skirt to drain it.
This poor things been thru the ringer.
Oh well,
Eric

[walter hudson]

There are differences in the housings as far as length and thickness . For an OC46 you could not use a HG or OC3 housing since they did not come in a 46 guage .The front cover off of any series B oc4 should work .I have seen some track frames where hole to acess the check plug does not line up .If you can post a picture would help to see what you have .
Walter

[Eric Carlson]

Walter, pardon my ignorance but when you refer to 46 gauge are you talking about track width? Also, the repair manual I got say's the final drive takes 2.5 pints of fluid...a little over a quart. You referred to the two plugs higher up not the drain plug on the bottom as "check" plugs. If I remove the one that's accessable on the side that I just rebuilt, should the fluid be at or near that level? The reason I ask is if I don't need to get to the check plugs on the other side, I'd be happy with draining the housing and filling it up thru the sprocket every year or so. (providing it's not leaking).
When I first got this machine I jacked it up and found the one side to be loose.That's why I  took it apart and rebuilt it. The other side we're referring to was tight so I won't take it apart until the snow flies around here. I just want to make sure it's full of oil. I'll try and get a picture of both sides so you can see the differences.
Thanks,
Eric

[walter hudson]

The guage is the distance from center to center of the tracks . The two lowest plugs in the rear are for draining . There are two because housings are interchangeable left to right . I usually fill the final through the check plug hole . yes, the two plug higher up are the level plugs . Usually if you do not have a leak , the level will get too high in the finals because the axle seal at the trans. case will leak .
Walter

[Eric Carlson]

Walter, I haven't gotten around to the picture but hope to this weekend. I'm trying to find the old housing (talking with the old owner) so I could use it when I rebuild that side this winter.
Eric

[mmoscari]

Eric,
It sounds like youi have some experience with OC4 FInal Drive.  My 1956 OC4 is leaking oil from the center of one rear sprocket.  I have a service manual, but it states drive the seal out from the inside after removing the drive and cover on a bench.  My question is:  Do you think I can replace the seal from the outside without removing the whole drive?

[Eric Carlson]

mmoscari, check your other thread.
Eric