Why no drain plug on dolls head gearbox?

Some of the pre 1950s gearboxes were grease filled so no real need for a drain plug.

My 1955 19S I owned in 1974/75, the laydown box in that was grease filled. I don't know if it had any bearing on third gear not working?

But WD 16H's, according to the maintenance books says that SAE 50 was used in the engine, primary case and gearbox. Today I use SAE 40 in my engine, SAE 20 in the primary drive and EP 140 (Classic grade) in my dolls head gearbox. I just keep topping it up so never had to drain it and never looked for the drain plug. Perhaps Richard P can shed some light on this? Interesting...

I never checked, but did later Dolls head boxes gain a drain plug, especially the WD versions?

Mt 1939 dolls head box has a drain plug. I use liquid grease and some EP140, sometimes I throw in a bit of Active 8 teflon lube just for good measure. I change it once a year just for the fun of it.

Previously nicholas_reeves wrote:

My 1935 ES2 which has the original gearbox fitted as confirmed by VMCC has no drain plug fitted and never has had.Any idea why this should be?Thanks.

Hi Nicholas

I heard somewhere that it was only the WD models had a drain plug

having said that all my pre war nortons have drain plugs including hand change ones

I agree putting gear oil in is a good idear but not grease i have seen bushes siezed to main shaft caused by this

I believe burman boxes as fitted to AJS Mathless etc would run on grease

Regards Roger