Re: grease fittings on 1931 AA truck

Posted by Joe on April 10, 1998 at 06:49:01

In Reply to: grease fittings on 1931 AA truck
posted by Gary Henry on April 09, 1998 at 22:18:50

Does anyone know if they are pressed or threaded or know where to find a working Alemite grease gun. Are they really called Alemite grease fittings?
: Thanks,
: Gary C. Henry
: Castle Rock Colorado
I think Alemite fittings were the correct term as opposed to the more modern "zerks" we are familiar with.The principle is the same for both except the fitting does not have the sperical top to retain the grease gun and instead relies on the push of the operator of the grease gun to maintain the seal.
Available from any of the normal parts suppliers is an adapter which fits on a modern gun and allows you to grease the original fitting with the modern gun.The adapter is threaded 1/8NPT and replaces the zerk type fitting with it's matching male or female thread (most do).Snyder shows this at part #A-353032 for $2.35.
Most modern guns will develop a lot more pressure than the original alemite guns.This is not a problem with the original alemite guns or modern gun/adapter setup since you can only hold it on so tight by hand and any excess grease leaks out at the cone of the fitting.
My previous experience with a conversion to modern zerks is that the "press-in" type fitting used extensively on the Model A tend to get "pushed-out" by virtue of the hydraulic pressure the modern guns can develop.The modern zerk is inconsistent with the Model A method of retention.I would recommend against a wholesale conversion to zerks and stay with the alemites even though they're not as easy to use (in principle).
Which ever way you go, don't forget to keep the alemite or zerk fitting clean and wipe them with a rag before and after greasing.
Best regards,
Joe

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