Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

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tootallmike
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Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by tootallmike » Thu Apr 12, 2018 3:02 am

Hi all,

I've been rebuilding a couple of M1A1 transfer boxes for customers and I needed a replacement gear for one of them, so I decided to open up one of my spare boxes. This box came from a low mileage M1A1 that was bought direct from the British Army for preservation but does not seem to have been used very much. The truck was dismantled and in poor condition when I bought it so it was broken for spares. The transfer box had remained attached to its crossmember until now, and when I separated them I was very surprised to find the following:

Image

The cover I am holding is the one I am familiar with, shown for comparison.

The cover appears to have been cast with this hole in, as it does not look to have been machined. Has anyone seen anything like this before? The internals were in very good condition despite this large opening in the side!

Regards - MG
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40 Chevy
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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by 40 Chevy » Thu Apr 12, 2018 5:06 am

MIke;

I have not, however, that opening with the 2 bolts looks like the cover in the front axle flange.

John G
1940 G4112
1942 G509 969A
1942 G116 series 2
1944 G116 series 5
1942 Sterling HC 165 tractor
1944 Autocar U7144T

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tootallmike
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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by tootallmike » Thu Apr 12, 2018 5:49 am

Yes, from that angle it does doesn't it!

As I'm sure you know, it's the bearing retaining plate on the end of the intermediate gearset. Normally it would be hidden from view.

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- MG
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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by Jeff Jensen » Thu Apr 12, 2018 7:02 am

Hi Mike
That looks like what happens when full of water and freezing.
Jeff

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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by kw573 » Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:03 pm

Hi all,

The parts manual lists only one number for that cover (WIS-3866-F-344) and it is applicable for all M1 and M1A1models for both WLF and KW.

I have no clue what you have there.

Curiously,
Sam.
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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by 40 Chevy » Fri Apr 13, 2018 3:20 am

considering its location, I would prefer to have that covered. I could see all kinds of nasty bits getting in there

John G
1940 G4112
1942 G509 969A
1942 G116 series 2
1944 G116 series 5
1942 Sterling HC 165 tractor
1944 Autocar U7144T

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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by retro-roco » Fri Apr 13, 2018 5:08 am

Any chance there was another variation of this transfer case where the center shaft does not end with a bearing retainer plate, but rather has an extended shaft that would protrude through that cover??
Last edited by retro-roco on Fri Apr 13, 2018 9:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by gentrysgarage » Fri Apr 13, 2018 8:35 am

Here is my take on it. Noticing that the 2 bolts are safetywired tells me that they had a habit of coming loose. This must have been a big enough problem that there was a design change along the way. Or for that matter the plug kept falling out and allowing debris to get into the tcase and causing problems. So so I am betting that there was a plug that fell or rotted off along time ago that allowed access to to allow the mechanics to check these 2 bolts to avoid catastrophic failure...elementary my dear Watson......putting Sherlock Holmes hat and pipe away. LOL!!!!!
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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:33 am

This is a Timken T-77 Series, used in Ward Lafrance, Kenworth, Reo, Beiderman, Federal, Mack, etc.,If I can get to ORD 9's, I will check the cap out. The April 1954 TM9-8623 ORD Maint for Timken Transfers shows one style Idler Shaft Front bearing Cap, and this is the cap that has the speedometer drive. The ORD 14-2 Ordnance Interchange I have does not show a variation to that cover. The hole appears to be pushed out. If it were for an expansion plug there would be a step in the hole for a plug to seat against.
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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Apr 13, 2018 3:33 pm

Wonder what the inside of the cover looks like, it might yield a clue about the hole.
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HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by Jeff Jensen » Fri Apr 13, 2018 3:56 pm

That is what I want to see

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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by kw573 » Fri Apr 13, 2018 5:19 pm

Well, Mike,
you have certainly got all the detectives on the job!!
Sam.
1942 Script GPW (Daily driver).
MB-T trailer.
Diamond T 969. ('The Glorifier')
Diamond T 969, rusty, complete, for sale.
Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker x 2.
M2A1 white HT. ('Clarrie')
Light Recovery Trailer (Ford?).
3ton GS (Blitz) Trailer.
150gal water tanker trailer.
Air compressor trailer, 100c.f.m.

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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Apr 13, 2018 5:28 pm

The T-77 Transfer was a popular unit after the war. Many Crane Carriers, and other Postwar commercial trucks used NOS surplus T-77's. Russ Jones "Off Road Floater" installed them in his custom all wheel drive special trucks. NOS was hard to get at the end and he used to overhaul them for use in his new trucks.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by 40 Chevy » Sat Apr 14, 2018 3:56 am

Mike;

Looking at the extension that was added to the filler plug, looks like you could get a couple of more pints in the case. I wonder if there was a change order issued. If you are dealing with a "dry" case, as you know you have to add gear oil to the filler plug on the PTO housing, if not that bearing would run dry. I am guessing this filler extension was to help lube those pro bearings.


John G
1940 G4112
1942 G509 969A
1942 G116 series 2
1944 G116 series 5
1942 Sterling HC 165 tractor
1944 Autocar U7144T

Joe Gopan
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Re: Unusual feature on M1A1 transfer box

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Apr 14, 2018 4:00 am

The fill pipe mod may be mentioned in one of the Issues of WWII ARMY MOTORS. That damaged cover may have resulted from a prior repair issue and not noticed until the piece finally fell out. The cover may not be original to this gearbox and may have come from parts salvaged from another transfer. Wondering if that cover was on another transfer that had excess end play on the idler shaft and was damaged by those two bolts? It would be interesting to see if it is gouged on the inside of the cover.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


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