Stripped gearbox fill plug???

[FE07]

Decided to drain and fill my gearbox (Ford T9)  George Alderman had welded a 1/2" bolt to the top of the drain plug which made it easier to get to.

 

Drained it- well sort of.  Didn't really get more than 5-10 cc out of the box.  It filled with approx 1/2 quart of Redline MTL.  Obviously wasn't empty but certainly not full.

 

When I put the plug back in, it went in easily for probably the first 2-3 full turns.  The plug appeared to be going in perpendicular to the hole, not angled.  Then it started getting very hard to turn as though it was cutting new threads.  Removed the plug and no signs of any new threads on it.  Can just see part of the threads in the hole which appear ok.  My pinky didn't feel anything sharp on the threads.  So- maybe there were threads sticking out on the plug when I went to remove it??  About 1/2 of the threads are in.  

 

Anyone with any thoughts or suggestions (other than pulling the engine and trans to look at it!) much appreciated.

 

Jim

[MV8]

There should be a drain plug on the bottom, curb side. The center line side, a few inches from the bottom of the case is the filler. These are typically pipe thread plugs and get harder to turn. They are only made tight enough to prevent leakage when driving. Perhaps post a pic of the plug.

 

Pull the filler and let it drain, then put it back in and stop when it gets hard to turn and before cracking the case.

 

 

[jbcollier]

Tapered pipe thread plugs, perfectly normal behaviour.

 

Only get 10cc out when draining?  Serious problem!  You need to find out why and where all the oil went.

[FE07]

Thanks for the replies guys.  Unfortuneately, it's a T9 without a drain plug.  It's been a slow leak over the past 8 years which is what prompted me to finally look at it.  Was a little less than 1/2 empty.  Gearbox was working fine.  Think the only way for me to empty it full will be from the top.  Put the drain plug back in, tightened it down and I'll keep an eye on it.

 

Jim