WHAT DO I HAVE?

[ROBT257]

I checked the level in both the front and rear axles on my 72 F250 yesterday. The front was nice and clean. The rear was milky so I figured I had water in it. So I took my novice self down to the parts store and asked for a gasket for a the correct model/year truck. He retrieved a gasket and I grabbed six quarts of 80w-90 off the shelf. This morning pulled the cover and and discovered that it was really milky. I've been told that is the presence of water that causes that. Yeah I'm a beginner! The gasket didn't fit, so since I live 30 miles out of town and my wife was going shopping I gave here the new gasket and the cover (after I cleaned it up), for her to get the correct gasket. Now I have the right gasket and no daylight to finish the job. I'll do it the morning.

The first parts guy said I had a Dana 44. I have no idea what the second guy said since I wasn't there. But I cleaned up the tag on the differential and it has the following markings: "Fomo Co" I think? and "DOTA-AY" and "603196-8" and "4.10". I can guess the 4.10 gear ration but not the others. I get no results with a google search too.

While I was at it I checked the transfercase level too. I guess it was good because it started running out when I pulled the plug. It looked alright, but a little darker than 80w-90. Its marked on a pretty red stamped placard "Spicer", "Dana", B/M "300686-3" (the first digit may be an 8, as its got a good gouge in the metal there), and Model "24".

So for maintenance information and research. What do I have? By the way the rearend has a ten bolt pattern.

[averagef250]

You have a dana 44 front axle, 16 spline dana 60 rear axle and a dana model 24 transfer case if the parts are original.

Don't use cover gaskets. They like to leak. A very good cleaning and an 1/8" bead of RTV will seal it perfectly.

[FORDification]

603196-8 is the Dana Bill of Material (BOM) number. It decodes as a 1971-72 F-250 ¾-Ton HD 4x2 Pickup - Full-Float. It's a standard (open) differential with 4:10 gears.

Anyone can decode their Dana BOM numbers by downloading this PDF from the Dana Corp. Library. You can compare your BOM with the one in the PDF to find out exactly what it is, as well as what the gear ratio and carrier type (limited slip, standard). The PDF also shows exploded-view diagrams of each type and lists replacement parts.

FYI: F250s never got a Dana 44 in back.

[basketcase0302]

Keith,

Awesome link, thanks!

Hey Rob, I don't know about your wheelin' in Texas but here in Florida there's one thing I do first to my axles...
Pull the crappy axle vents, (factory ones look like caps of sorts) and run some hose from the vent to a clean location up high on the body.
You'll be glad when you forge the deep water crossings you did it.
Might also want to check the axle seals on the axle that had the milky gear oil.

Basketcase

[ROBT257]

Thanks guys. Too late on not using the gasket. I put it on first thing this morning. I still used a light bead of sealant too though. Hopefully I won't have any problems. As far the caps? I didn't notice any while I was working on the rear one. Which now I guess is a 60. But I do think I remember a tube sticking out of the front one. Seems like it might have been about ten inches long and and just bent over like a radius 90. Does that sound right?

[averagef250]

Keith,

Awesome link, thanks!

Hey Rob, I don't know about your wheelin' in Texas but here in Florida there's one thing I do first to my axles...
Pull the crappy axle vents, (factory ones look like caps of sorts) and run some hose from the vent to a clean location up high on the body.
You'll be glad when you forge the deep water crossings you did it.
Might also want to check the axle seals on the axle that had the milky gear oil.

Basketcase

F-250 4x4's all had vent tubes from the factory. The front one should go up inside the driver's side engine mount stand and the rear one goes into a clip inside the frame rail.