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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Clutch Replacement

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Clutch Replacement -- page: 1 2 3     39Fordfan 09-14-2023 @ 10:47 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Hi there, I am going to replace the clutch on my '39 Deluxe Fordor. The entire car chatters when you are trying to back up a slight slope like a driveway, it also chatters between gears when going forward. I've managed to engage the clutch so the chatter is not so bad, but when I first got the car out of restoration 17 years ago this chattering was never an issue for many years. I've checked and replaced the motor mounts and had multiple opinions from guys with Early Ford V-8's and a pro go through it and tighten everything that could be causing the chatter as well, and the consensus is that it is the clutch that needs replacing. I have some questions about the job and ordering up replacement parts ahead of time. I'm going to have the pro who is a friend do the job and give him a hand when he needs it. I seem to recall some interesting stories of the of different methods to get the job done but I'm interested to hear what you guys have to say about the pros and cons replacing a clutch different ways. Which vendors do you recommend for a new clutch plate? I thought I recalled hearing on this forum about a certain clutch plate that had a nice feel to it compared to some others. Aside from the clutch what other parts do you recommend I get and replace as long as we're in there? In a related issue, my speedometer turtle gear keeps getting busted. The speedometer and the cable works fine when I turn the cable with a drill. However when a new turtle housing is installed it will ultimately fail with the gear of the turtle getting it's teeth stripped. I thought maybe I was installing it wrong and had a different pro install it and it got stripped then too. I was told that I needed to replace the transmission interface with the turtle when I get into the clutch project, but I'm not sure what to ask for when ordering or what is involved with that. Thanks so much! This message was edited by 39Fordfan on 9-14-23 @ 10:50 AM kubes40 09-14-2023 @ 11:43 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3394 Joined: Oct 2009 I prefer to pull the rear chassis back a few inches and pull the transmission out. I trust you realize it (transmission) MUST come out from the top. Here's the "catch"... if the flywheel must be faced, the engine must come out to remove the oil pan. Well, it (oil pan) can be removed with the engine in, but it's easier to simply pull the engine in my opinion. Mike Driskell sells a nice quality kit. Do NOT simply change the disc. You will be sorry if you try to save a few bucks by not swapping out the disc, plate and bearing. With the chattering you describe, I'd insist on facing the flywheel if the car was in my shop. Too much work involved to do the job half as---. Mike "Kube" Kubarth 39Fordfan 09-14-2023 @ 1:28 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Hi Mike. Thanks for your reply! I'm definitely not looking to cheap out on it, we'll do it right. Unfortunately Third Gen (Mike Driskell) is out of stock of the clutch kit for the '39 at the moment according to their website. I'll have to give them a call to see for how long. Aside from price is there a difference in quality of clutch parts with different vendors? If the flywheel can't be refaced are they available to purchase? Do you have an opinion on the part in the transmission that drives the Speedometer turtle gear and how to replace it? Thanks! kubes40 09-14-2023 @ 1:47 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3394 Joined: Oct 2009 I would call Mike as you are figuring on. NO on Ft. Wayne. The drive gear is actually in the torque tube. There's a snap ring in there that is easy to R&R. Pull that and then a spacer and the gear comes out. The gears are easy to come by. I have some if needed. I have run into just one flywheel that I was not able to clean up properly. If you need one, I have them as no doubt Mike does. Oh, when the trans is out, it's a good time to check the bushings that are fit to the clutch release shaft. Also the shaft itself. Check the adjusting linkage too along with the clevis pins. A little wear in any of these places adds up exponentially at the pedal travel. Check the pedal bushings and the shaft as well. All are easy to fix and cheap while the stuff is on the bench. Mike "Kube" Kubarth 39Fordfan 09-14-2023 @ 2:02 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Great stuff, Thanks Mike! So backing up a bit, if I'm planning on facing the flywheel from the start, would you (or can you) take the motor and transmission out of the engine bay together? Or is the only way to pull the back axle and detach the tranny and then pull it up and then remove the engine separately? kubes40 09-14-2023 @ 2:57 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3394 Joined: Oct 2009 You can pull the engine & trans as unit but it's a tight fit. Regardless, you will need to remove the floorboards to access all of the necessary attachment points. With the grille in the car, I would not personally attempt to R&R the engine / trans as an assembly. Mike "Kube" Kubarth 37RAGTOPMAN 09-14-2023 @ 3:35 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1958 Joined: Oct 2009 Clutch replacement when you have it apart, be sure to check the drive shaft front roller bearing, question do you have a grease fitting on the torque tube, ? if so there is, a center bearing inside the torque tube, this could be some of the problems you are having, if it is bad, let us know how you made out, hope this helps 37 Ragtopman,Maine kubes40 09-14-2023 @ 5:50 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3394 Joined: Oct 2009 Center bearing will not cause clutch chatter. It will cause a driveline vibration most noticeable at approximately 35mph. Mike "Kube" Kubarth 40 Coupe 09-15-2023 @ 7:23 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1674 Joined: Oct 2009 Before changing the clutch you may wish to tighten the nuts holding the springs in place, tighten the motor mount bolts and make sure the anti chatter rods are in place and tight. 39Fordfan 09-16-2023 @ 9:45 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Thanks, Mike! So it seems to make sense to remove the tranny to have a look at the flywheel, then pull the engine if the flywheel needs facing? And if I remove the radiator and grille then remove the engine, is that right? Any other vendors you can recommend if Third Gen (Mike Driskell) remains out of stock? I didn't get to call them yet as I've been on the road. Thanks!

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