62 differential oil change

[Johnny C.]

Hi, just wanted to validate. Owners manual says that differential oil is for the lifetime of the vehicle. Has anyone out there ever changed the differential oil in a 1962??

[Mike E.]

[Larry M.]

Re: 62 differential oil change

Back in 1962, the lifetime of a car was generally 10 years.

Larry

[Tom P.]

Re: 62 differential oil change

On a number of 62’s over the past 45 years. Unlike 56-early 62, most 62’s have no drain plug. You have to either suck it out, or unbolt the case and pull the bottom forward. That, of course, means that the gasket tears, and now you have to pull the axles and remove the driveshaft in order to pull the whole unit out and replace the gasket.

Mike is 100% correct. ONLY 57-61 (and MAYBE some early 62) axle housings did not have a drain plug (BOTH Corvette and pass cars). I've NEVER seen a 56 axle housing (car or Vette) with a drain plug. I have zero clue why the drain plug was eliminated in 62 (just one more of GMs dumb ideas!!!!), but it sure is nice to have one.
IT IS NOT NCRS CORRECT (Of course nothing I do is NCRS correct, that's why I don't fit the NCRS mold), but in ALL my cars that do not have a drain plug, I add one.
On 56 and 62 style housings, I drill, tap and then weld a nut inside, then drill 2-3 holes in the nut to enhance draining, to provide sufficient threads to fully tighten the (magnetic) drain plug.
On later cars, such as a Chevelle, where the entire center section is cast iron, I drill, tap and install a magnetic drain plug. After tapping threads, I use a die grinder and fine sanding disc to make a smooth surface for sealing the seal on the drain plug.

[Johnny C.]

Re: 62 differential oil change

Thanks for your comments, in fact, it is an early 1962. Immediate solution will be to siphon out the old oil from the fill plug. Thx again 😉

[Carl R.]

Re: 62 differential oil change

I must be one of the lucky ones because my "62" has a drain plug. Original axle to the car, vin # 101339.DSCN0047.JPG

[Johnny C.]

Re: 62 differential oil change

Exactly, vin 7559 for me. Somewhere between my car and yours was the cut off point to introduce the drain plug.

[E S.]

Re: 62 differential oil change

Hi- #1482 has drain plug also- (very orig. car)