Minimum F1 gearbox and diff oil levels?

49r

Senior Member
Both my 1949 F1 gearbox (heavy duty 3 speed) and diff oil levels have fallen over time to about a half inch below the check plugs. Is this too low? Should the oil levels be kept up to the plugs?
 
49R
Here is another thought,
The oil went some where.
Is 1/2" to low Probably not.
Has there been damage Probably not.
If the manufacture wanted the level 1/2" lower Don't you think they would have put the fill plug 1/2" lower?
If you don't refill over time it will be 1" low , is that low enough to cause damage ?
I don't know , but do you want to find out?
So the long and short if it is. DON'T worry about the 1/2" low. Just refill it & go drive it and enjoy.
 
Thank you both. Bill, what you say makes makes sense. Neither gearbox or diff have been touched from new; both weep a small amount of oil and it has taken several years/thousand miles to get to current levels. I'll call a half inch the minimum and give both a top up.
 
49r
After several years you may want to consider drain and refill with fresh oil. May have some metal in there by now.
Don
 
if you can put your finger in the fill hole and feel oil its high enough, if you cant feel any oil fill till it runs out the hole
 
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LOL BillW, if your fingers are that long you need to be working at one of those happy ranches in Nevada
 
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