Can I drill a hole in my NP203?

[82355]

My range box on my ORD doubler is an NP203. It has no oil drain. It is a mess and a nuisance to drain it out of the PTO cover. Is there any reason I can't just drill a hole in the bottom of it, tap it with a pipe tap, and plug it?

Martin

 

[sweetk30]

in the correct area yes you could.

look threw my pics and see if it helps you find a place to do it. few casting ridges inside to watch for that would make it a bit fun.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253000

but why change oil so much ?

 

[82355]

I was thinking of drilling throught that nob I am pointing at.

 

[82355]

but why change oil so much ?

Once a year? I submerge this thing in running water. Also, why not? I have to use my fingers to scrape the oil over the edge of the pto opening. Then shove rags in there to gwet the rest of it out, would work much better with a hole at the bottom.

Martin

 

[sweetk30]

o.k. atleast you cange after water trips .

been so long since i did mine cant recall if casting blob is good point or not.

i almost think the middle flat spot be better.

i got a ford divorced 203 box on the bench at work now but not sure if its the same.

 

[454Sub]

I was looking at my 203 this morning and where you indicated would be fine. Worst that can happen is you would drag the plug on the ground or a rock and rip it off.

 

[82355]

That is why I would like to drain my gear oil more often.

Martin

 

[454Sub]

On second thought though, why not go in the "valley" of them two casting mark things. Way less metal to drill though. Then you could use a plug similar to what a 14 bolt uses, where instead of a 9/16in square, its a 3/8in inverted square and a ratchet fits into it.

And I to have sank mine to that deep, but I had to leave mine for 2 months till it could be extracted. That can really bring the suck.

 

[82355]

Too late, the hole is already drilled. I am already using a recessed plug. I am now just waiting for the grease to quit running out so I can tap the hole.

Martin

 

[454Sub]

O well, no harm. Just a bit more drilling is all.

 

[Fordum]

I've told the story before, but when I had to do some major work on my Ford 9 inch, I had a guy weld a piece of 1/2 plate on the flat spot on the bottom. Ground the edges on a taper.

Then he drilled and tapped it with tapered pipe threads. I used a socket type plug that wound up slightly recessed.
Since I had to change all fluids after every hunting season, it make it a lot easier.

The housing would probably have been strong enough without the plate, but I did not want to take chances.

 

[sweetk30]

Too late, the hole is already drilled.
Martin

oh ya and someone is in low range on the range box i see threw the pto port.

 

[82355]

It ended up right above my cross member. Didn't think that one through....

I think I'll cut a hole in it, and weld in a piece of tube for access.

Martin

 

[454Sub]

I was thinking, but a magnet epoxied on the end of that there plug could be a good idea to catch all the shavings and all. Couldn't hurt anyway, and wouldn't be that complicated to do, plus the preventative maintenance thing.

 

[cybrfire]

Tap the hole while the last bit of lube is draining to make sure all the shavings come out and to keep the tap lubed up.

Might be kinda messy though.

 

[82355]

It was easy to clean up. The PTO cover was still off.

Martin

 

[82355]

O well, no harm. Just a bit more drilling is all.

Also more meat for the plug was my thoughts.

Also, I lied about using a recessed plug. My buddies shop that I am working at was out of stock on recessed plugs. Oh well, it it gets hit, that means I ripped my crossmember off, and I'll have bigger problems than a damaged drain plug.

Martin

 

[82355]

oh ya and someone is in low range on the range box i see threw the pto port.

Yeah, I threw the NP203 in low when i was pulling onto the hoist to slow it down.

Martin

 

[82355]

I was thinking, but a magnet epoxied on the end of that there plug could be a good idea to catch all the shavings and all. Couldn't hurt anyway, and wouldn't be that complicated to do, plus the preventative maintenance thing.

There is already a magnet in the bottom of the range box. I pulled it out and cleaned it off thoroughly tonight.

Martin

 

[82355]

You're going to regret asking for pics. I took a bunch of them underneath looking for a good one, and just emailed them all to Photobucket from my cell phone. Here you are:

Martin