8N w/Howard, rear end oil questions

I am working on a customer's 1947 8N which I have serviced for the last 28 years. It has a Howard tranny behind the main tranny. The Howard has a long shift lever on the right side where the usual round plate with tranny oil dipstick usually sits. On the Howard circular plate, there is also a tranny oil dipstick, but placed further back than usual. The oil level shown on the ~6" dipstick is very low, just ~1/8" from the bottom of the stick. But meanwhile oil has been pouring out of the brakes and PTO, and maybe the front tranny seal into the bellhousing.

Does the Howard affect the amount of tranny oil that should be used? Should I remove the lowest bolt on the circular side plate and let it drain down to that level (and ignore the dipstick)?

The brake shoes were not badly worn, but due to being drenched in oil (still dripping), I replaced them along with the hub seals and gaskets. I think I'll fully drain the tranny/rear end oil and start over with new oil, although it doesn't look bad in any way. The 3 pt lift works reliably, so no sludge issues are expected. I had changed the tranny oil in this tractor a few years ago. It is stored in a shed every night, so water problems are unlikely. This tractor gets LOTS of road miles, as it is owned by a 50 YO special needs adult who can not have a driver's license.

I did make adaptors for my brake drum lathe, and turned the drums to get better brake shoe grip. The brake drums are steel, unlike the cast iron(?) drums we usually find on vintage cars and trucks. They turn quite easily, once set up to run concentrically on the lathe.

Your thoughts on the oil level? And other things to consider?

Thanks in advance!

Paul in MN

I have a Howard in late 50 8n and it does not effect how much oil is in it. If in doubt I would remove the bolt and check oil level that way. The dip stick may not be the correct one. Other than that It sounds like a bunch of seals have lived their useful life and needs to be replaced.

Thanks for the quick reply. I did find the outer seal on the left hub to be a double leather seal with Ford logo... possibly original. The seal on the right hub was newer with single rubber lip. It also had the ford logo and ford 8N part number. The seal surface on both hubs shows some normal wear, but are pretty smooth. And both hubs fit the axle splines tightly, so I don't see the common loose hub sideways rocking that many exhibit.

I also question the validity of the dipstick. It looks OEM, but may not be the correct one for this application, so I'll do the bottom bolt removal trick and see how much oil comes out.

Thanks again,

Paul in MN