A quick place to get a kit and/or an easy way to do it.

[GPster]

In case it's been forgotten I've involved myself in a new project, an '89 AMC Jeep CJ7. This has evidently been someone's mudder play thing. While underneath it fixing broken brake lines and busted shock mounts I noticed that the vent was missing from the rear end housing. Because the frame is packed full of dried mud yhere is no question that the rear end has been submerged at some time. This is an AMC 20 rear end with the lubricant fill in the castting and the steel cover has no fill or drain. I removed the cover and I didn't find the situation terrible but I would think it would be wise to drain/change the lubricant a couple of times after some use. There used to be a drain fitting that people would put on automatic transmission pans to make changing tranny filters not such a messy job. Is something like that a normal parts store item? This AMC rear end uses a cork gasket that is kind of like an "O" ring and I imagine standard proceedure is going to be install it with plenty of silicone. I just thought that while the cover is off if I could add a drain I wouldn't be neglecting the situation to avoid the mess. Any ideas? GPster

[wayne petty]

you might find some humor in this buyer guide to bullet proof parts..

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/drivetrain/154_0708_bulletproof_test/index.html

one thing you can say..    they did take a shot at doing the best article they could..  

i will have to go back and see if it was photographed by Rick O Shay..  or if he was even standing just a little too close...


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
a little picture essay on the AMC20...

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/drivetrain/154_9811_jeep_amc_20_axle_tech/index.html


is there room to add a bulkhead connector to the top of the housing with a rigid tube bent around the differential so you could remove the cap on the top of the bulkhead connector and apply some suction via a tank and pull the fluid all the way out anytime you need... rather than installing a drain..

rube goldberg.. yep..  work   yep..


photo 17 shows a fill plug up on the front beside the pinion...

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/drivetrain/154_9811_jeep_amc_20_axle_tech/photo_17.html

[enjenjo]

Here you go Joe

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-13010/

You can probably make one too.

[wvcab]

joe,

napa sells a universal kit.... part number 704-1914   sells for $6.60    
http://www.napaprolink.com/Detail.aspx?R=BK_7041914_0006380195

Features & Benefits    
   Drain Plug Kit Adapts Drain Pan To Allow Easier Periodic Transmission Fluid Changes, Easy To Follow Instructions    

   Attributes    
   Contents : Drain Plug, Nut, Gasket, Drain Fitting
Oil Drain Plug Hex Size : 3/4"
Oil Drain Plug Material : Nylon
Oil Drain Plug Thread Size : 1/2"-20

[GPster]

Thanks for the answers. With Summit being about 135 miles away and with me hating to pay shipping and handling I visited my NAPA store because it's only 3/4 mile away. They didn't have it in stock but over-night to the store was free and it was cheaper than Summit's. Picked it up this morning and it's the same one as Summits but a buck cheaper. So I've got it now I only have to figure if that round cover actually has a bottom or if it fits every way cause the bolt spacing looks equidistant. Of course I had to stop at Advance for something and I just happened to walk past their display of replacement oil pan plugs and they have in stock the same pan drain kit for $3.59. GPster