Plugged mounting holes

michford

Member
Location
Michigan
I have three 50's Ford tractors, a 59 641, a 58 841, and a 55 860. At the very front of the transmission case on each side of all three there are three tapped 5/8 holes per side. The holes on both sides on my 860 are plugged with smooth plugs. In a forum post that I should have saved, there was a picture of that area of the tractor that someone posted that appeared to show the three holes plugged like mine are on my 860. Were these holes plugged when these tractors were new? Mine are very neat and are not broken off bolts.
Left side.

cvphoto63788.jpg


Right side.

cvphoto63789.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 19:29:52 11/21/20) I have three 50's Ford tractors, a 59 641, a 58 841, and a 55 860. At the very front of the transmission case on each side of all three there are three tapped 5/8 holes per side. The holes on both sides on my 860 are plugged with smooth plugs. In a forum post that I should have saved, there was a picture of that area of the tractor that someone posted that appeared to show the three holes plugged like mine are on my 860. Were these holes plugged when these tractors were new? Mine are very neat and are not broken off bolts.
Left side.

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto63788.jpg">

Right side.

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto63789.jpg">

Probably just freeze plugs used to keep moisture out of threads until needed. Drill a self drilling screw in there and pull one out. I've done that plug trick (when I didn't have the right pitch bolts to do the same thing) but packed it full of heavy grease first.
 
Ford 2000; 3 cyl. diesel and gas....on both my tractors those upper and lower mounting holes were filled with trash, rust or dirt dauber nests. I cleaned them out, blew them out and ran a large allen head screw into each hole with anti-sieze on the threads to make it easy to remove them in the future. A bolt would work as well. Most holes like that were homes to dirt daubers which I cleaned out but some of which have been reoccupied already. Will try to post a pic of the plugged holes.
mvphoto65241.jpg
 
Many newer tractors had plastic plugs installed in the holes to keep paint out. It's dubious as to whether or not they kept rust out of the hole. Pressure washing I'm sure got water in past the plugs.
 
I bought a tap and ran an undersized drill in the holes to clean out the trash then came back with cutting oil and tap and chased the threads when they weren't capped. Agree on the comments about just a removable plug to keep things clean....especially from dirt dobbers....man's plague.
 
Ford 2000; 3 cyl; diesel and gas....forgot to mention, like Texmark1, I chased the threads with a tap before installing the threaded plugs. The threads were a mess from moisture and dirt dauber nests, maybe some old paint.
 
On some tractors, I have found what looks like plugs similar to cork bottle stoppers. Don't know if they were from the factory, but I have seen them more than once.
 
(quoted from post at 11:18:24 11/22/20) On some tractors, I have found what looks like plugs similar to cork bottle stoppers. Don't know if they were from the factory, but I have seen them more than once.

same here.. dont know if its cork or if its chalk,, but there is a material in the holes,,, it would seem from the factory.

But dont know if those were c, b or A tractors...

Those in the picture are NOT what I see.
 
Didn't consider the possibility of a plug similar to a freeze plug. Will try your tip before getting to the tractor painting stage.
 
(quoted from post at 00:59:11 11/23/20) I like the idea of set screws to keep the threads filled and protected.

The cost of a set screw that size would be much higher than a shot bolt or if you're really wanting to go all farmer on it, cut 3/4" pieces of threaded bolts, chamfer the leading end and cut a slot on the back end. I know it's not as glamorous as an Allen head, but real farmers, seeing those homemade versions will bow down and pay you homage. :D

Tom
 

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