Dana 44 Vent

This /\ is why I keep blowing rear pinion seals.

 

Here's where the vent is on the Dana 44 diff cover from my '55 M170. Being military I think they all were vented from the factory. Maybe this will help.

Front (small hole in upper right corner)

Back (has a cover over the vent hole)

 

Interesting.
So if you guys were me would you add a vent in the cover or on the top of the pumpkin?

my front end (27a) has a breather on the top of the pumpkin

 

There is some really good discussion about Dana 44 historic vent locations and where is best on this web page:

Is Your Dana 44 Vent Destroying Your Axle? – Slickrock 4X4

It seems like putting it on top the pumpkin like the Dana 27 picture above, but running a hose up under the hood with a proper vent cap is the right way to do it.

 

I agree completely. The top of the pumpkin would be up out of the way with the least likely location for getting damaged. The only thing else that comes to mind is with a vent in top of the pumpkin it would be the most difficult location to repair if it ever got damaged. With a vent in the carrier cover a bench repair could be more easily done.

 

In case your interested I just listed a nice D 44 vented cover in the flat fender FS section

 

Here's what I did on my Dana 44 :

 

If you put the vent in the cover make sure you tack weld a shield on the inside over the opening (don’t seal it tight) or you may throw gear oil out the vent. If you put it in the top of the carrier you want it towards the pinion as far is reasonable. If too far toward the cover the ring gear acts as a paddle throwing oil out the vent. If a little more toward the pinion the oil is deflected better.