Drain plug Warn 8274?

[flintknapper]

Anyone install fill and drain plugs on their 8274?

I bought mine new in the early 80's, its been used pretty hard and never let me down, it doesn't leak anywhere, everything still works perfectly....but the oil in the gear case has got to be pretty tired by now.

Rather than break the case apart....I'm thinking about drilling and tapping a couple of holes to accept flush fitting 1/4" pipe plugs.

I know I'll have to be careful about selecting where I put them....and extremely careful not to over tighten them (crack the case). Anyone done this already? Suggestions, cautions, flaming?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Just split the case. It takes 10 minutes. While it's apart, drill the holes for the drain and fill plug. That way no metal bits will get in the gears. I would keep the holes small-like 1/8 NPT.

Disclaimer-I have split the case before, but did not think about drilling the holes until later. I'll do it next time I split the case.

 

[flintknapper]

Just split the case. It takes 10 minutes. While it's apart, drill the holes for the drain and fill plug. That way no metal bits will get in the gears. I would keep the holes small-like 1/8 NPT.

Disclaimer-I have split the case before, but did not think about drilling the holes until later. I'll do it next time I split the case.

I was thinking I don't need to split the case at all (not that its hard to do).

If I put the fill hole on the flat where the model/serial # tag used to be and the drain at the bottom (on side) between two of the reinforcement webs....then any metal shavings will drain out with the oil. I plan on flushing the case with varsol to help clean it up a bit and then apply a small amount of compressed air to the fill hole, any debris should readily come out the drain hole.

I might make the fill hole 1/8" pipe (not like it needs to be an inspection hole), but I believe I'll do the drain in 1/4" pipe.

 

[3DAMAN!]

Brilliant minds think alike.. I did the fill and drain holes like you are describing, but with a little twist. I tigged an aluminum nut to the bottom of the lower case and to the top of the upper case and then drilled and tapped for the 1/8 pipe tap thread. The taper tap will selfseal for no leaks. Liked it so much Ive done my brothers also. Very good upgrade if you have the cases apart!

 

[flintknapper]

Brilliant minds think alike.. I did the fill and drain holes like you are describing, but with a little twist. I tigged an aluminum nut to the bottom of the lower case and to the top of the upper case and then drilled and tapped for the 1/8 pipe tap thread. The taper tap will selfseal for no leaks. Liked it so much Ive done my brothers also. Very good upgrade if you have the cases apart!

I bought my Warn 8274 new in 1983 and have been using it ever since. It has been “rode hard and put away wet” many times, yet it keeps on going. I knew fully well…(years ago) I should split the case open and change the oil, but somehow always found something else that needed to be done.

Well, my winch still runs great, but look what came out of it (along with 4-6 ozs. of water) when I drained it yesterday.

Amazing, this thing was still running.

I decided I’d go ahead and freshen her up after nearly a quarter century of use. I split the case, then had to apologize to the winch for such ill care.

I’ve got it soaking in my parts vat right now. I have promised it all new bushings, bearings & seals.

I may even put a 6HP motor on it, though the original one has never failed me.

Should have done this long ago. Shame on me, I’m usually very good about maintaining equipment.

Just shows how tough these units are though. I can’t tell you the number of times this one has been underwater, made long pulls without resting it, etc….

I know there are other good winches out there, and the 8274 isn’t suited for everyone, but I am a die hard fan of them.

 

[SimonInAustralia]

I did the fill and drain holes like you are describing, but with a little twist. I tigged an aluminum nut to the bottom of the lower case and to the top of the upper case and then drilled and tapped for the 1/8 pipe tap thread. The taper tap will selfseal for no leaks. Liked it so much Ive done my brothers also. Very good upgrade if you have the cases apart!

Old post, but do you have any photos of your plugs and plug sockets?

Does anyone know where I can buy something similar that is ready to go, as in a ready made drain/fill plug and matching socket that can be welded in?

I would rather have a pre made socket welded in, than just tap the case, if possible.

How thick is the casing, and how far into the casing can you go before risking the plugs hitting gears or other internal parts?

I am planning a twin motor 8274 build in the near future, and trying to work out the best way to do this sort of thing.

Thanks.

 

[SimonInAustralia]

Maybe something like this?...
Weld In 9/16" Drain Plug & Fitting

...and this?...
Weld In Oil Filll Bung & Cap Assembly

I have emailed them to ask for the dimensions of the oil fill bung & cap, as I guess it might be for filling engine oil, and probably much too large for a winch.

 

[BOATS]

pictures

 

[flintknapper]

Old post, but do you have any photos of your plugs and plug sockets?

Does anyone know where I can buy something similar that is ready to go, as in a ready made drain/fill plug and matching socket that can be welded in?

I would rather have a pre made socket welded in, than just tap the case, if possible.

How thick is the casing, and how far into the casing can you go before risking the plugs hitting gears or other internal parts?

I am planning a twin motor 8274 build in the near future, and trying to work out the best way to do this sort of thing.

Thanks.

Somewhere in here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/winching-recovery/197470-my-warn-8274-rebuild-part-1-a.html

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I started looking for a cleaner solution that would also look semi trick. I couldn't find an elegant solution online (The ones pictured above would have done the trick, but I already had mine completed before that post was made).

One night in the top box of the roll away, I found an AN fitting from an old project. I started looking at it and the light turned on in my head. I went down to the local speed shop and bought a weld in bung and a cap for it. I placed the weld in bung where I wanted it and I didn't like it. It looked too pieced together, a bung, a fitting and finally the cap. So I cut the fitting behind the union and decided to have it welded directly on the case eliminating the need for the bung.

I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out and think it will look really good after powdercoating.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Good solution. Gotta remember that the next time the 8274 needs work.

 

[Major Tom]

I started looking for a cleaner solution that would also look semi trick. I couldn't find an elegant solution online (The ones pictured above would have done the trick, but I already had mine completed before that post was made).

One night in the top box of the roll away, I found an AN fitting from an old project. I started looking at it and the light turned on in my head. I went down to the local speed shop and bought a weld in bung and a cap for it. I placed the weld in bung where I wanted it and I didn't like it. It looked too pieced together, a bung, a fitting and finally the cap. So I cut the fitting behind the union and decided to have it welded directly on the case eliminating the need for the bung.

I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out and think it will look really good after powdercoating.

Thats a great idea and very practical. I think thats the solution I've been looking for. How has it held up over time.