A quick look at the Hickey worm gear winch

[jeffahart]

I finally had some time to take a good look at the Hickey Enterprises worm drive that's been relegated to the corner of my garage since my folks dropped it off on Thanksgiving weekend. Been busy! I hooked the motor to a battery and it winds both directions, nice and strong motor, but it pops out of gear easily though... not sure what's up with that.

I will drain oils and clean it up; then if it seems fit for duty, I will begin the bumper build.

Any how, here's some pics and my thoughts. Any input is welcome, especially if you have some hands on with one.

I initially was going to pick up a hydraulic winch, I like them. Then this came up and I jumped on it. I like it because it's period correct.

I weighed it, it dresses out at 120lbs with cable mount iron and oil, not bad!


The original mounting flat iron on front and rear angle iron is 5/16 and I don't dig that huge chop around the case on the flat iron.


The angle iron is cut at both mounting ends, I don't really dig that either.


Looks like you can rotate the gearbox plate, so plug can be worm down or worm up mount. They have it setup for worm on top. I will keep it that way.
It looks like any way you mount it is OK, worm up, worm down, over drum pull, under drum pull.


See the other side the Hickey Enterprises verbiage is upside down!

[BLT gmc]

My mounts on my hickey worm-drive has the same exact cuts as yours. I suspect they were made that way. Good luck, Bruce
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[jeffahart]

Hey Bruce! How are you?

Yea, I may use the brackets not sure yet, those notches may be why they used 5/16. I plan to get the thing hanging on the front end then study it a bit to decide on mounting and my bumper design. I'm very happy with the winch(Thanks by the way!)

I just ordered a compact solenoid and controller from Pierce. Pierce answers the phone and have good people to talk too!

[dazza]

Hey Jeff, I was just doing a search because I'm in the middle of finally mounting a sidewinder and saw your post. I have one of the worm gears as well. I've only seen one other member here with one of these besides myself... and now you. I'm sure there must be a few others.

I actually restored mine a few years back and just now finishing the truck restore. I've been going back and forth on which to install (truck had the worm gear on it when I bought it) but have decided to hook up the sidewinder (restored it) for now.

All my pictures of when I tore it down are at home. I have quite a few if you need to see anything, it will just be a few days until I'm back there.

For now here's a post of it from back then (damn, just over 5 yrs ago!).

[jeffahart]

Hi Dazza,

I read your post on the worm hickey, I actually read it a few weeks ago too when trying to dig up mounting information. You did a nice job cleaning it up, makes me want to polish mine too, because I will definitely mount it up front and high. I guess the sidewinder was the answer for the obnoxious configuration of the worm gear winch. But, the worm gear design lives on and I know it's a robust design. I actually know nothing of the sidewinder, I've never owned one or know anyone with one; and I generally like hydraulic winches and over PTO too.

The only problem with this winch is mounting. I've seen the under mounts that have it hanging down real low. How can you use the winch if it's the low hanging fruit stuck in the muck? Although I may go that route just leery of mounting it like that. So in the next couple weeks I'll evaluate the thing and verify that it's serviceable and then bolt on the front and then study where it might best fit then fab a bumper around it.

It's that darned transfer case that sticks out. Most build bumpers so the roller fairleads stick out even with the transfer case(when the winch is mounted high with the transfer on top). But when I build my bumper the hawse will be built into the bumper. So, a mount configuration like below will have the transfer sticking out like a battering ram!

BLT gmc, who also posted, is who I got the winch from. He made me a great deal. He has one also and is planning to mount some day.

Anyhow, I'll be working on the conundrum over the next few weeks. Any info or feedback you have is appreciated.

[BLT gmc]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421030

This should show a complete rebuild of the worm drive winch in it's Ramsey clothes. The same except for the solenoids. Page three for the money shot.

Jeff, The cable should come through your factory bumper. Usually, the fairleads are mounted right where the licenses used to be. Is this what you are considering to low? In your first picture, the winch mount exactly like that between the frame rails. Motor on the drivers side.

This is my winch I bought from Blazerman.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665977

Look at the original advertisement. The mount is attached to the bottom frame rail (I believe). I believe this picture, in the advertisement, is looking down from on top with the radiator support removed. See how the cable goes through the factory bumper. The motor and worm drive are on top and between the frame rails. There is no room for the Ramsey solenoid pack, The Hickey winch placed the pack inside the engine compartment. Of course this is pre-Sidewinder, but at its time this was the only winch available that allowed the use of the factory bumper.

Take care, Bruce

PS, I think these winch are few and far between, especially here in the Plains.

[BLT gmc]

Dazza- i have looked at and referred to your post many times. Is yours mounted yet?

Jeff- PM sent. I took some photos on my phone and I made a tracing
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[dazza]

First off Bruce, please accept my apologies, I haven't been on here too often over the last year or so(finishing up this truck) and never think to check messages unless the pop-up tells me there is one... and I must have saw yours and then spaced it completely. Really sorry.

As I told Jeff, I've been going back and forth on which one to mount (if only other things in life were such a hard decision, right??), I like them both and have even looked at maybe mounting one on the rear. I'm not concerned with height so much and just today I had my nephew help me fab up a cross mount and have almost got the sidewinder mounted.

I figure once that is mounted swapping between them should be easy if I decide I'm not happy with the sidewinder. As for the bumper there's a pic below of how the original installer cut it up for the fairlead, which I can cover up with the license plate. I've looked at trying to get the sidewinder up that high but doesn't look possible or a much bigger project that I don't have the time to take on.

I had a NOS bumper but made sure I sold it before I brought out the torch!, I don't think I had the nerve to cut it up anyways!

it looks happy enough!

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by BLT gmc

Dazza- i have looked at and referred to your post many times. Is yours mounted yet?

Jeff- PM sent. I took some photos on my phone and I made a tracing
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hey I just picked up your message and PMed you back. I was reading your post below. with the behind a bumper mount we won't have to worry about UV rays on synthetic rope.a big plus
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[dazza]

Either of you know what thickness and length of the synthetic line fits?

[dazza]

BLT - what truck is your winch mounted to?

Jeff - is yours a '72?

[BLT gmc]

Dazza- no worries here. I'm glad you are making progress. I just recently was able to gather all the pieces to make a complete original winch with acessories. I have thought about using AM BlueSteel synthetic rope, my current cable needs replaced. Take care, Bruce
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[dazza]

nvrmnd Jeff, your phone doesn't put your signature but i found it.

[BLT gmc]

I don't have mine mounted, i would like to inspect/clean and repair what is needed. I'm not sure about the lenght, diameter, maybe 5/16? I will mount it on my 69 GMC K10
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[dazza]

--

Almost done with it, just need to cut out the bumper, sort out the skid plate, and mount/hookup the electrical.

--

[BLT gmc]

Winch cable is 5/16 x 150'. See the first image in post one on the following thread. I believe it to be part of the original advertisement.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665977

Take care, Bruce
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[jeffahart]

You can probably go up to a shorter length of 3/8 also. Master Pull has a line conversion table for common winch makes and models for their various line offerings.

[jeffahart]

Today I got the compact solenoid in the mail. I dumped some oil in the gear and transfer. And did the bench test. Worked great. I spent the extra bucks and got the round case with the solenoid, and it looks like I may be able to mount it on the side of the gear case. I will mount the winch before I dissemble it. So I can get an idea of what's going on. Here's some pics of the bench testing and the compact solenoid case.

Bench testing


Compact solenoid in housing


Compact solenoid housing held up against case. I'll see if it will really works in that location once I get it sitting in the frame horns.

[dazza]

Thats really cool. Where did you find that?

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by dazza

Thats really cool. Where did you find that?

I got the solenoid from Pierce. http://www.piercesales.com/12-volt-r...noid-assembly/

In the next couple days, when I get some time, I'll see if it actually fits in between the frame bolted to the winch.

[dazza]

Also, the manual shows 1/2 pint of oil for both the gearbox and the transfer case. The gear box filled perfectly to the correct level, but the transfer case not. I can barely see the oil which would make it about an inch low, but because I used a half pint like it said, I'm thinking it's because ours are upside down like they mentioned with the gear box. You have the same thing?

Are you planning on replacing bearings/seals?

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by dazza

Also, the manual shows 1/2 pint of oil for both the gearbox and the transfer case. The gear box filled perfectly to the correct level, but the transfer case not. I can barely see the oil which would make it about an inch low, but because I used a half pint like it said, I'm thinking it's because ours are upside down like they mentioned with the gear box. You have the same thing?

Are you planning on replacing bearings/seals?

I pulled the winch apart thinking I was going to clean it up, grease it up, and replace seals(NOT). I had a hell of a time getting the gears out. The rear bearing were blown. A lot of muck and sludge in the transfer case. Lots of rust on clutch side. But the biggest problem was the gear on the motor. That little sucker would not come off. It is in a tight space so I grinded a puller to fit. But still no luck. I soaked it, and tried over the course of a couple days to pull that little gear, with no luck. So, I finally took the pneumatic pickle fork to the back of it. OK, now it's off and the splines on the motor shaft look OK, and the 20 spline motor gear survived. But... since I soaked it and beat the hell out of it, I tested the motor again. It ran two seconds and quit. OK, no big deal I see these motors for sale all over. Well, no, not one with a 10 spline shaft. So now I think I need to figure how to use a smooth shaft motor with the same mating flange configuration and fit a gear with a key on there.

Unless you know where to get a 10 spline motor?

I ordered the bearings off amazon. those are coming today. But I need the motor before I can move forward.

If I would not have jacked my motor I would be assembling this weekend. But hey, all the gears wanted to stay on the shafts. What can you do, they need to be forced off. I guess the jarring from the impact hammer or break free fluid got to it.

[jeffahart]

Also, there was two seals stacked on the motor shaft. I guess maybe to keep the rear seal tight to the motor shaft housing. Did you use two seals?

Here's the two seals.

[dazza]

I don't recall if there were two seals but I replaced all, my pics will tell all and hopefully I will get home to get them this weekend.

I forgot all about pulling that gear, mine too was a pita, many types of pullers tried and was very happy when it did finally pop. Just had a look at another motor I have torn apart from a sidewinder to see if it would work for you, but it has a smooth shaft/keyed.

Probably not any farm supply stores in LA unless maybe you're on the outskirts, but I have one about thirty mins from me and these guys have a wall of i/o shaft, pinions, etc., all in sizes/shapes imaginable. Also electric motor rebuild shops may stock something that will work.

[jeffahart]

dazza,

Your cleaned up winch looks great! I'm going to try to lick this motor thing using a newer MBJ 4407 with a smooth shaft and key. They have a 3" flange like the 4301. I figure if I can get a 20 spline gear on that shaft, then if I ever need a motor again I can just get a 4407, they are about $85. I think the price of a 4301 would make it cheaper to have the original rebuilt. So, I'll know next week if I'm going to be able to use the smooth shaft 4407 or rebuild my 10 spline 4301 or buy a new 10 spline 4301.

Hey, do you have a skid plate too. I'm going to make one once I get the winch running. Bruce sent me the layout.