VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Alemite fittings

This ought to stir up the hornets! I have acquired a 1932 Chevrolet truck that has two alemite fittings with the hex base. One is on a rear spring shackle and the other on the torque tube. There is no indication that they have been changed. By the location (particularly the one on the torque tube) would suggest that it was not likely to have been damaged and therefore subject to replacement. The other is also in a protected location. The chassis also has six alemite fittings that are of the smooth base type. The other fittings are either missing or replaced with zerk type.

Since I have documentation that Alemite produced the hex based fittings as early as March 1929 and additional Alemite booklet from August 1931 that also lists them, is it correct for Chevrolets to have either hex or straight based fittings?

Oh, by the way each of these fittings are the straight type and not with the angled adapter.

Any one need photos? Is there interest in parts before frame, rear end and attached parts go to the recycler in the next couple of days?

My original 31 did not have any fittings with the hex on them. If there are fittings with the hex I believe they would be stand alone and not used with the angle adaptor. With the angle adaptor you can use a wrench to screw the assembly in with the straight fitting a special wrench is needed it you don't have the hex to use an open end wrench.

I have never seen a fitting with the hex that is nickle plated and I have never seen a straight fitting that is not plated. I don't believe you would have both on the same vehicle.

No proof, just my thoughts.

See you down the back roads.

My 28 has some with the hex and others without a hex, I hate to have something that has had a "hex" put on it even if I am not very supersicious!
Get those "hexes" off and be safe! Ha!

Talking about greese fittings are the old ones where the grease gun locked on still available (1926)
Thanks
John

John, yes they are, and here is a link to their web site:
Alemite.com home page

and for the A336 fitting:
A336 fitting

And they have 7/16" hexes!

My 1934 engineering features book on page 60 under Tools says "During the 1933 season a new type of chassis lubrication system was adopted. This new and improved means of lubrication is continued in the 1934 line of trucks and is known as the "Alemite hydraulic lubricating system". The fittings are relatively small and very compact. They have a hexagonal shoulder at the middle with pipe thread at the inner end and a flattened ball at the outer end". The tools with the 1933 trucks had a Alemite bayonet type grease gun and the 1934 trucks had the Alimite hydraulic grease gun. The hex fitting size was not specified.

That sounds like the... ... Alemite Zerk fittings the ones used up thru the current models.

Now "Chipster the agitator" Are you quite satisfied!

Yes, I would like to see some pics before you send the "...frame, rear end and attached parts go to the recycler in the next couple of days?"

Have mercy...

Yes folks they are the Alemite with the pin to hold the lubricator on. I will take a couple of photos but had another VCCA member look at the ones with the hex at the base before I did anything. So he could verify that they were in place.

Looks like it would go to make a Toyota tomorrow afternoon.

Chipper, What do you mean to make a Toyota, is that 32 frame plastic???????

I think it means he is going to sell the '32 frame, rear end and attached parts to the recycler tomorrow for what they will bring in weight.

Hope nobody could have used the parts...

I just recieved a 31 Chevy. The previous owners told me about the grease for the water pump and the distributor. No mention of any other grease fittings. Now that I have received a book from HC, I see there are many more. For the alemite fittings will I need to buy an adapter for a convensional grease gun? Or should the grease gun work? Also--can you tell me which year of brake drum is compatable with a 31 rear brake drum? thanks.

Tom

I think you can purchase the adapter from pin type to Zerk from Alemite. See the link above.

You can purchase the adapter to convert a standard type of grease gun to the pin type of Alemite fitting from Alemite. The company is still in business. The adapter converts your grease gun from Zerk to the pin type of fittings that were used on the 1931 Chevrolet.

The rear brake drum for disc and wire wheels are the same from 1930 thru 1932.

Tom! The alemite (pin type) adapter for your modern grease gun is also available from Gary Wallace for $20.
chev4cyl@charter.net or 314-293-1991