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Discussion Topic:
Clutch Replacement
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TomO |
07-10-2020 @ 1:55 PM
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Senior
Posts: 7256
Joined: Oct 2009
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It sounds like you found your problem. Those bushings should not be free. See: https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=18&Topic=10525&keywords=chatter
Tom
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39Fordfan |
07-09-2020 @ 12:19 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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Hi there again. I wrote in February about my 1939 Deluxe clutch shuddering in reverse and when taking off in first gear. I haven't had the car out a lot with all of the COVID shutdowns, etc. The consensus here was to check the motor and transmission mounts and replace them. So I did check them and some questions arose. As I mentioned before I replaced the front motor mounts as part of a water pump upgrade last year. I've had a good look at the rear mounts and took a picture of one of them. The motor mounts actually look solid to me as far as the rubber goes. I attached a picture of it for you to look at. Here are some more questions. 1) There is a large rubber bushing that is between the head of the brass colored bolt underneath the frame. The rubber bushing under the bolt head between the bolt head and the frame is quite loose under there. I can move it around with my fingers. There doesn't appear to be any way to tighten it further. Is that normal? 2) Are there separate transmission mounts I should be checking and replacing? I'm not seeing anything obvious. 3) If you think I should replace these rear mounts anyways, what is the proper procedure for that? Sorry for all of the questions, but I tried to order a shop manual someone had suggested from Mac's but it has been out of stock since February so I'm sort of flying blind on this one. Thanks for your input!
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39Fordfan |
02-20-2020 @ 3:50 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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Tom Will definitely try to fix 2nd gear popping out the easy way first! I asked the guy who restored it about it. He said he used to race them in 2nd gear and the problem was so common at the track that everyone had a little leather strap they would simply lasso around the gear shift knob to keep tension on it so it wouldn't pop out. He acted like there was no reason to fix it. I simply leave my right hand on the knob and hold it in 2nd gear, but I know its just a band-aid and should try and fix the issue. I've never seen Van Pelt before. Looks like a great option. Thanks!
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39Fordfan |
02-20-2020 @ 3:32 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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fenbach Thank-you much! This is great! I realize I should be taking a more holistic approach to this issue. I'll go through and work out some of these other possibilities.
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39Fordfan |
02-20-2020 @ 3:29 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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As an alternate to pulling the transmission, if you've reason to not want to go through the interior, pulling the engine can be accomplished fairly easily to change the clutch. My '47 had the original floor mat still in it which was so brittle it would crack simply by touching it. Rather than damage it and possibly compromise originality by pulling the trans through the interior a neighbor and I removed the hood and radiator and pulled the engine. 1st time (pulled the engine 3 times on this car) took 4 hours total, 2nd 1 hour and 45 minutes and the last time a shade over 1 hour and 30 minutes. Had I studied the proper procedure the first go would easily have been 2 hours or so. Since that time I've helped 2 more colleagues change their flatheads' clutches by pulling the engines, turnkey, on a Saturday morning to afternoon. Beverages were involved. Do a search on this Forum for motor mounts - lots of good data and experience here. The advice you've been given above is solid - check your motor mounts first and ensure if installing new ones they are PROPERLY installed and compressed. Steve, Thank-you so much for your reply! That is truly amazing! I would never in million years have thought of doing it that way. But it makes total sense. I had a friend who used to be a VW Certified Mechanic. He said the final test in Stuttgart Germany was he had a pull the engine out of the Beetle, do a valve job and replace it in 10 minutes. He did it in 6 minutes. The record was 4 1/2 minutes. It sounds like you have gotten very proficient at this job! I will do some searching on those motor transmission mounts.
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39Fordfan |
02-20-2020 @ 3:15 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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46coupe. Thanks! Those are good tips. I realize now there is more to this issue than I thought. I'll definitely tale care of these other issues before I go replacing the clutch. When I drive it, I'll have to try and see if I can shift it and operate the clutch the way you are suggesting. I definitely feather the clutch like a modern car when changing gears. I'm not sure I totally understand the best practice you are describing until I drive it again, which will be awhile yet here in Minnesota.
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39Fordfan |
02-20-2020 @ 3:06 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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Hi Tom, Thank-you so much for your always thoughtful and helpful replies! I will go through and work on rear motor and all the transmission mounts as Paul and Ken suggested. I replaced the front motor mounts a couple of years ago when I had Skip upgrade the water pumps. Do you have any additional tips on replacing these other mounts - the rear motor mounts and transmission mounts? Regarding the speedometer, I have done the drill test and have a cable that spins and turns the speedometer needle. I replaced the cable anyways because it was old and I retested the new one and it turned the speedo head too. The speedo turtle didn't turn the cable when the rear wheels were engaged. Then I replaced the speedo turtle. The next time I checked it the gear in the turtle was broken. I decided the problem is on the transmission side. But maybe I installed the turtle incorrectly?
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39Fordfan |
02-20-2020 @ 2:44 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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Hi Paul and Ken, Thank-you so much for your responses! I replaced the front motor mounts a couple of years ago when I had Skip re-manufacture my water pumps. I never gave the rear mounts or the transmission mounts a second thought. I will have another look around and check those mounts out and will replace them before I mess around with the clutch. I really appreciate it!
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39Fordfan |
02-20-2020 @ 2:39 PM
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Member
Posts: 202
Joined: Oct 2009
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Ritzy1. Thank-you so much! That is the idea of what I was looking for. I didn't know that this type of manual existed. I'll order one...
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TomO |
02-20-2020 @ 7:10 AM
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Senior
Posts: 7256
Joined: Oct 2009
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I just remembered another cause for the transmission popping out of gear. The shifter detents may be worn or the springs weak. Mac VanPeltz has more information on popping out of gear on his website. I would consider replacing the springs before disassembling the transmission to rebuild it. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_transID_3speed-Poppingout.htm
Tom
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