MC-8 Manual Trans. Fluid Level

[DavidInWilmNC]

My MC-8 has the standard 4-speeds manual transmission.  It seems to work fine, but I'd like to be able to check the fluid.  The problem is that there is no dipstick in the filler tube.  Does anybody know of a way to check the fluid otherwise?  I guess that if somebody else has a MC-8 with the Spicer 4-speed and measured from the top of the dip stick (where it seats down on the tube) to the full line, I could make one.  I believe the parts stores carry generic dipsticks, which could be marked.  I imagine the best method would be to change the fluid and replace it with the correct quantity, but I don't recall that amount being listed in the manual.  In the meantime, I'd really like to be able to just check the fluid level.  Evidently, these are a bit hard to locate used (I tried a couple of places last year).  If anybody can help me out, I'd really appreciate it.  Thanks, as always.

David

[DavidInWilmNC]

Anybody?

[ChuckMC9]

Well I can measure my Fuller five-speed's, but your results could mean anything using one of that length. Let me know if you want me to do so, ok?

[DavidInWilmNC]

Thanks for the offer, Chuck, but I imagine the fluid capacities are different for each type of transmission. 

David

[Tony LEE]

I'll tell you the measurements of mine but I suspect it is not the original since there is some brazing just under the knob. Also the knob probably used to have some sort of  o-ring to seal the tube but now the flat knob rests on the top of the sloping dip-tube.

The end of the dipstick is exactly 24" from the top of the tube, the empty mark is 23 1/2" and the full mark is 22 1/2"

The end of the stick ends up level with the centre of the plate (bolted to the gearbox case) that the tube is welded to.

Capacity is 10 quarts US or 8 proper imperial ones.

[Sam 4106]

Hi David,
It's possible that the dipstick broke when someone tried to ckeck the oil level and the broken piece is in the tube. That happened to me on my 4106. I retrieved the broken piece with a mechanics magnet and brazed it back together. This is probably a long shot guess,but may be worth a try.
Good luck, Sam 4106

[DavidInWilmNC]

I'll check for broken pieces.  One never knows on these old buses!  Otherwise, I'll find something 24" long, stick it down there, and see where the level is.  Thanks for the info; it'll certainly give me somewhere to start in terms of making a dip stick.

David

[NJT 5573]

David, there should be a fill plug on the side of the case about half way up. The proper level is full to the bottom of that plug. If you have a dipstick setup attached to that hole I personally would remove it and replace it with a plug. The plug is a pipe plug available at any hardware store. This may be a good time to change the oil also. Some use 50 weight motor oil, I prefer 90 weight gear oil.

[buswarrior]

Hello David.

All the truck trannies I know are as NJT has described, fill 'til it dripped out the plug part way up the side of the case.

No dipsticks in evidence.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Tony LEE]

Some use 50 weight motor oil, I prefer 90 weight gear oil.

Not in an MC8 4 speed manual box -- according to the manual anyway..

I don't recall seeing a normal fill plug on the gearbox. The dipstick tube allows you to do the job standing up - without getting dirty.