TCase Advice needed on Transmission and Transfer Case

[Sawjaws]

Hey fellow jeep people. I got myself a 1978 CJ5 that was a full on mudder by the people I purchased it from. They said the clutch was out, but everything else is good. I have the Transmission and Transfer Case out (still mated) and am cleaning the mud off of it before installing the new throw out/release bearing and fork. In cleaning it up and doing a little checking, I noticed there are holes over the shift rods where the detent balls and springs are supposed to be removed which were obviously caked in mud and are supposed to have caps in the holes. I don't even know if there are threads there anymore or if rust has defiled them. The question is... how imperative is it to replace these caps and what is the likelihood I have mud in my Transfer Case ? The shift rods do move okay. A bit stiff, but not stuck or anything.

Also, given this situation, do I bite the bullet and pull them apart and clean, inspect everything and paint the Transmission and Transfer Case , thus squelching my excitement for getting the jeep running and moving? Mind you, it is not a pristine vehicle and will likely just be used for hunting trips.

Any and all advice is appreciated. I am leaning heavily toward just changing gear oil on both and slapping it back together and potentially doing a full refurb on the vehicle later on.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I'd separate them. Pressure wash it. Paint it. Change the fluid and then slap it back together and in and the H E double hockey sticks out of it.

 

[KRUPP]

It’d be pretty difficult for mud to infiltrate the case thru the shift rail passages.
It’s my O.C.D., but I would absolutely have to divorce them, drain oil, pull cover plates and take a look inside.
Then, go from there.

There should be some press-fit caps in the holes to access the detent balls and spring. They’re like mini freeze plugs.

 

[Belizean]

^^^^^^. X2. It’s already out. If it was installed and you were driving it probably not so much.

 

[Sawjaws]

So here is what I'm referencing. Not the side holes, the top holes where the detent balls would come out if you pulled the shift rods. You can see the rods down there moving back and forth when you shift it.

I think I can get new caps on eBay. Are they a must have?

 

[Sawjaws]

Whilst we're on the subject... What is this and should it spin freely around whatever is underneath it? Because it does.

 

[KRUPP]

Yikes!
Take apart. Drain. Clean. Repair. Reseal. Repaint.

That 2nd pic is a breather and it should spin free. It’s better to replace that thing with a barbed x threaded fitting with a hose to a higher point, like up on you firewall.