Restoration correct manual steering gear photo request and advice needed

[KenAdams]

I need a photo of the bottom of the manual steering gear bottom worm shaft housing area. I believe there should be freeze plug looking cover there but it doesnt show in any diagram and both mine dont have anything there? I guess my question is what keeps grease/oil from coming out of here?

[The Rocknrod]

I got this from an old sale thread.
Couldn't find anything in the FAQ section either.

[AcampoDave]

Here you go. Here's a pic of a pair i had in the garage. There is indeed a freeze plug looking thing there. The lower box in the photo has it set in a little deeper than the other too.

[KenAdams]

Thanks guys, I figure I'll be able to find a yellow zinc free plug that will make it look OEM. I knew there was something there, just didn't know what.

[Llay R. Rac]

years ago my original plug fell out, i put a freeze plug in its place, its been leak free for about 30 years now.

[aggie91]

When you find out what plug fits there, let the rest of us know!

[KenAdams]

Originally Posted by aggie91

When you find out what plug fits there, let the rest of us know!

The hole on mine miked out between 1.375-1.385in. So a 1.375(1-3/8)in or 35mm Welch plug should fit just fine. I bought mine from the local Advance Auto parts part number #550-019.

I bought a rebuild kit from https://midweststeering.com. I just called and gave him the case number and he sent me the full kit with 2 copper bushings, 2 bearings, 2 bearing races, 2 seals, and a cover gasket. Think it was about $40.00.

I've had all the parts sitting in a bucket of carb cleaner for a week, so they should be good and ready to put back together when I get some time.

[jtrichard]

IT is a WELCH plug to be correct NOT a freeze plug (really no such thing as freeze plugs just miss named core plugs)

Look here for EVERYTHING you always wanted to know about "CORE PLUGS" but were afraid to ask

https://www.seastrom-mfg.com/expansion_plugs.aspx

[jtrichard]

When installing the plug use a flat object (back side of about a 1 1/8" socket is what i would use) as close to 1 3/8 as you can so the plug is as flat as possible .. You do NOT want to dimple the center inward like with the ball end of a ball peen hammer (I have seen that done)

[KenAdams]

Finished rebuilding it except throwing on some paint. It was nasty. The 50-year-old grease had turned into some nasty gum like substance. I first cleaned it out as much as I could by hand and paper towels, then let it soak in a bucket of carb cleaner for a week, then a soapy wash.

After removing all the bushings and seals I sandblasted the case and gave it a wash again. Here it is all laid out before reassembly.



All the bushings pressed in, and major components assembled.



And the whole reason I asked the question. The new previously missing plug, and fully assembled, not adjusted, prepaint steering gear.

[PGSigns]

Came out good. That should drive nice.
Jimmy

[rvrfoot]

Nice rebuild