VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Fluid levels

Should brake master cylinder be filled to the top? Also what levels are correct for trans and rear end? Thank you.

Close...Leave room to screw the cap back on...Tranny and rear end until it starts to come back out the plug hole...I stick my pinky in to see how much it needs...If I get nothing, I start with a pint...

Hi Kevin,

I fill my fluid levels up to what my manual recommends (transmission 1 1/2 pints, rear end 3 1/2 pints). I think your method is over filling both levels? Could someone kindly tell me what is the advantage/disadvantage of either of our recommendations? I'm pretty sure with my method I can not feel fluids by sticking my little finger into either places?

I use the same fluid both places but use the highest viscosity gear oil I can find, Valvoline 75w-140. I think we have discussed that the higher viscosity oil slows transmission gears down faster allowing for less grinding when shifting into 2nd with our well worn transmission gears.

Thanks, Mike

I believe that's a "guideline" for an empty Tranny & rear end...Although, I have used your method and it doesn't quite fill all the way to the hole, as you say...Over all, I think to the level of the add plug is fine...A little less won't hurt...More could leak past your seals...

In 1950 working the lube rack in a Shell station I was taught to use the second finger, insert it in the fill hole and bend downward at the first knuckle, if you hit lube you are okay. I have always done it this way and never had a problem.

That is assuming your second finger will go in the hole. I can barely get my fourth finger, not counting thumb, in the tranny fill hole. But I'm in your camp, not quite up to hole level. It says that somewhere in the manual, but I couldn't put my finger on it!

I've used a cable tie for a dipstick to check the level.

The cable tie is a great idea!!

I agree that if you can reach some fluid with your first knuckle bent, your okay...If I'm going to bother with getting the lube out though...I will "top it off"...In a service station situation, time is money and if you can "touch it" throw the plug back on...

I once ran my tranny down to practically nothing for a least 300 miles...Luckily, it appears I did no damage ( no noise, no grinding, no metal dust/sludge...)...Knock on wood...

I'm in the same boat. Finger dip and if there's lube...close her up and let her rip!

My coolant seems to 'seek its own level' in my '47 though. I fill it up every spring and it pisses out the overflow until it gets down a ways and runs cool for the season. It seems really low (4 inches or so from the top of the tank) but that's where it sits.

I hear ya...I got a lot pissing from the rad...That why I got an over flow tank to mount on the pass. side near the defroster/heater inlet...Repos are good off eBay...Shop around an save $20 bucks...You'll probably see the original screw holes for it above the battery...They look like the real thing...No need to drill new holes.

Wow Kevin,never knew you were into any accessories on the 47...Do tell,what else have you slapped on the old girl??