Hey guys i have had a lot of time today to plan some thing on the truck. I have the rear end ready to paint. I pulled the drum brakes off and the backing plates for painting. My first question is can i drain the rear oil now or do i have to wait until i have everyting back together. Also can i drain it threw this fill hole while i have it off the truck. Also what do i get for rear end oil when i go in to get some.

Question 2 is that when i pulled the axles out one side had less oil on it than the other. Is that a problem or just something that happens when they havent been drivin in years. Also one side the bering jiggles just a tiny bit, should i replace the bering while i have it all apart?

3 What is going to be the best way to hold this thing up while i paint it? I just havent figured this part out.

 

For Question #3 - do you have a portable engine hoist with a hydraulic ram? If so, get a length of suitable chain and bolt it securely thru each of the brake backing plate flanges. Then route the chain thru the hook at the end of the engine hoist arm, balance the axle, and jack it up. You should probably do all your painting prep prior to picking it up, then paint away. It worked well for me. Good luck!

 

I was hoping some of our more competent tech guys would respond to your questions, but no luck so far. The '66 Factory Workshop Manual isn't as helpful as it might be. In Part 4-1, page 4-13, it says: "Draining - All Axles - If possible, drain the lubricant when it is warm and will run freely, allowing full drainage in minimum time. This is especially desirable in cold weather. To drain, unscrew the plug at the bottom of the housing and allow sufficient time for all the old oil to run out." Not much of that applies to your situation, so I'd say open the fill plug, turn the axle on your jack stands so the hole is facing down, and drain it for several days into a drip pan. The manual isn't a lot more help in regard to lubricants. Page 21-1 says: Rear Axle - Ford Design Only (which I take to mean the 9 inch, non-limited slip) use Rotunda Hypoid Gear Lubricant, Ford Part # C2AZ-19580-D (R-154-C), Ford Specification ESW-M2C57-A. Maybe ND or some current Ford Parts guy can fill us in on its modern day equivalent. If your rear axle is NOT a Ford 9 inch, perhaps a Dana, the book says: "Above 25 degrees F, use SAE 90. Below 25 degrees use SAE 80." As for replacing your bearings, as you've got your truck torn down this far, I'd replace EVERYTHING you can afford to replace in the way of bearings, seals, and bushings. I did and my truck drives better than new. Good luck with your project.

 

Thanks for the advice. I have a set up for painting the rear end similar to what you said. I have a piece of 2x2 square tubing that i drilled a hole in each end and in the middle. i am gooing to atach the chains on the ends and use an i bolt in the center to hook into the cherry picker. All i need to do is pickup some short chain tomorow and it will be all set to go and i hope to paint it next weekend.

 

As long as you have the axles out, have both of the axle bearings replaced. Ask the shop that does it to install "Green Bearings" with a built in O-ring seal. If you have regular bearings installed you should replace the axle seals as well. They are located just inside the axle tube flanges.