The Ford Barn

Rand · 05-01-2013, 09:56 PM

I decided to drain my differential today for new oil
Inside the differential kinda looks like graphite mixed with the oil. No metal chips just REAL dirty. It's been a real long..long time since I changed the gear oil.
My question is this...How do I flush or clean the inside of the differential out...Also,I picked up some Hypoid 85W90 gear oil from NAPA...What do you think of this for the rear end and OD Trans??? Here is a pic just for fun
Thanks, Randy

Old Henry · 05-01-2013, 10:56 PM

When I cleaned mine I put a quart of mineral spirits into the differential after draining out the oil then ran it off the ground for a bit to swish the mineral spirits around then drained it out. 85W-90 is OK for winter but Ford specified S.A.E. 140 for summer so I run 85W-140 all year round.

Chisel · 05-02-2013, 12:44 AM

I lift the rear wheels off the ground and put jackstands under the axle. Drain the differental and fill to level with kerosene. Start and idle engine in low gear for 5 or so minutes and then drain. Repeat if necessary.

Old Henry · 05-02-2013, 01:35 AM

You might want to consider a magnetic plug if you're getting metal in your oil.

Available from Mac's for $1.95 here: http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-fo...0R3CHL1140427/

Terry,OH · 05-02-2013, 05:23 AM

NAPA sells Sta-Lub 140W

Scott H in Wheaton · 05-02-2013, 05:27 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

FYI when I took apart my rear axle assembly to clean it out I had to use chisels, dental picks, and really strong solvents to get rid of the hard-caked crud. A flush with mineral spirits or some other solvent will get rid of the loose contaminated fluid but you will still have some crusty stuff in there after 75-80 years.

P1300013.jpg

richard crow · 05-02-2013, 05:34 AM

if it was not makeing noise just drain it & refill it

Rand · 05-07-2013, 09:34 PM

Hey Old Henry...
Up date....Saturday I drained my differential and added some mineral spirits as you suggested. I ran the Merc on jack stands for about 5 minutes, then drained it again, what I found in the pan was the mineral spirits were quit dark and a few metal shavings too, which I don't think is a big deal for a 63 year old rear end? I was also able to return the Hypoid 85w90 oil and get some 85w140 as you suggested too. I don't think the magnetic drain plug will do much good though, My drain plug is not on the bottom, Its about 1/4 of the way up. Thanks for the great advise. and good luck on your mill
Randy

woodypecker · 05-07-2013, 10:08 PM

Don"t you love the smell of the stuff that comes out.

Henry/Kokomo · 05-08-2013, 07:11 AM

Yeah. Dead dinosauers. Ugh!

Rand · 05-17-2013, 08:56 PM

One more thing....
When the Merc was jacked up on the jack stands with the wheels a spinning, there seemed to be alot of noise coming from the rear end, wheel bearings, axle or universel joints...My question is this...How do you check the 63 year old wheel bearings while on the car?? probably best to just replace them right? Big job?...thanks for your input
Randy

05-01-2013, 10:56 PM	#2
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: Help with differential cleaning When I cleaned mine I put a quart of mineral spirits into the differential after draining out the oil then ran it off the ground for a bit to swish the mineral spirits around then drained it out. 85W-90 is OK for winter but Ford specified S.A.E. 140 for summer so I run 85W-140 all year round. __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

05-02-2013, 12:44 AM	#3
Chisel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 232	Re: Help with differential cleaning I lift the rear wheels off the ground and put jackstands under the axle. Drain the differental and fill to level with kerosene. Start and idle engine in low gear for 5 or so minutes and then drain. Repeat if necessary. __________________ Chisel Evil Lurks...for those that don't carry a side arm!!!

05-02-2013, 01:35 AM	#4
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: Help with differential cleaning You might want to consider a magnetic plug if you're getting metal in your oil. Available from Mac's for $1.95 here: http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-fo...0R3CHL1140427/ __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

05-02-2013, 05:23 AM	#5
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: Help with differential cleaning NAPA sells Sta-Lub 140W

05-02-2013, 05:27 AM	#6
Scott H in Wheaton Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Wheaton, IL near Chicago Posts: 861	Re: Help with differential cleaning Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) FYI when I took apart my rear axle assembly to clean it out I had to use chisels, dental picks, and really strong solvents to get rid of the hard-caked crud. A flush with mineral spirits or some other solvent will get rid of the loose contaminated fluid but you will still have some crusty stuff in there after 75-80 years. P1300013.jpg

05-02-2013, 05:34 AM	#7
richard crow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,770	Re: Help with differential cleaning if it was not makeing noise just drain it & refill it

05-07-2013, 09:34 PM	#8
Rand Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 380	Re: Help with differential cleaning Hey Old Henry... Up date....Saturday I drained my differential and added some mineral spirits as you suggested. I ran the Merc on jack stands for about 5 minutes, then drained it again, what I found in the pan was the mineral spirits were quit dark and a few metal shavings too, which I don't think is a big deal for a 63 year old rear end? I was also able to return the Hypoid 85w90 oil and get some 85w140 as you suggested too. I don't think the magnetic drain plug will do much good though, My drain plug is not on the bottom, Its about 1/4 of the way up. Thanks for the great advise. and good luck on your mill Randy

05-07-2013, 10:08 PM	#9
woodypecker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Clarkston, Michigan Posts: 239	Re: Help with differential cleaning Don"t you love the smell of the stuff that comes out.

05-08-2013, 07:11 AM	#10
Henry/Kokomo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kokomo, Indiana Posts: 1,731	Re: Help with differential cleaning Yeah. Dead dinosauers. Ugh! __________________ Henry

05-17-2013, 08:56 PM	#11
Rand Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 380	Re: Help with differential cleaning One more thing.... When the Merc was jacked up on the jack stands with the wheels a spinning, there seemed to be alot of noise coming from the rear end, wheel bearings, axle or universel joints...My question is this...How do you check the 63 year old wheel bearings while on the car?? probably best to just replace them right? Big job?...thanks for your input Randy