Columbia Lubrication
 

Trying to install a Columbia 2-speed made for a Zephyr in my '41 Ford. The Columbia manual says "Keep lubricant up to NEW oil level hole in the OVERDRIVE AXLE at all times....CAUTION: DO NOT USE FORD OIL LEVEL."


I can sort of see a line on the Columbia unit that's above the bottom of the Ford fill plug. In pictures I've seen of installed Columbias, there's a fill plug in the Columbia unit, just outboard of the Ford fill plug, that corresponds to the 'fill line.'


I'm 100% certain there's no fill plug in my Columbia. Anyone come across this before? Do I need to remove the Columbia and have a fill plug hole drilled and tapped.


I'm quitting this project for today. No sense in continuing assembly if I'm just going to have to pull it apart again.

Re: Columbia Lubrication
 

Something is wrong. The extra plug was not an option. You need to fill to that plug, run the car in drive with wheels free for five minutes; then fill to the lower level of the Columbia plug again.


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1728161381


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1728161381


Glenn

Re: Columbia Lubrication
 

You're right; something's wrong. That something is that it's a Zephyr Columbia. Found this thread where Ken/Alabama says the Zephyr Columbia didn't have a plug and the solution is to have one drilled.

I'm truly hating this project. Just hope I can get it done before I die so my widow doesn't end up with a basket case in the garage.

Re: Columbia Lubrication
 

fill it to the Ford plug then take the bolt out of the C housing that is between the Ford plug and the C plug in the above pic and finish the fill thru that hole, may take a while but a squeeze bottle will do it. I have a Z in one of my Fords and will check on the plugs it has. That one has run lots of miles.

Re: Columbia Lubrication
 

Does anyone know what kind of threads these are for the fill plug? Are they pipe threads?

Re: Columbia Lubrication
 

That seems rational. It does look like that hole would fill to the same level as the Columbia plug.


I love FordBarn! Don't know how I'd solve all of early Ford V8 issues without it.

Re: Columbia Lubrication
 

Alternate fill port


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1728214449

Re: Columbia Lubrication
 

I find this intresting as my 38 zephyr with a columbia from day one had a fill plug as most did. I wonder why and when they would produce one with no fill plug? Tim

Re: Columbia Lubrication
 

1934 Columbia's did not have their own fill plug. By early 35 they did have the plug.

Re: Columbia Lubrication
 

The Columbia for the Zephyr doesn’t have the fill plug like the Ford units. This was due to the Zephyr having the Hypoid style differential.this is a picture of the Columbia for my 39 Zephyr.