Clutch stuff, questions. Ford top loader.

[Eliteman76]

I'll try to keep this a bit short.
I'll start this off with I've been meaning to put a clutch kit in my '72 Gran Torino Sport for a while, I've had a stock type HD replacement clutch kit.
I noticed after pulling the engine out last night, the clutch disc I tossed in the car when I first got it drivable, is lighter, and has six smaller diameter springs.
The new kit has 5 larger diameter springs, and the thing is a lot heavier of a piece. The pressure plate assembly also looks a bit stoughter. Then again, I did specify I wanted a stronger clutch when I got it 4+ years ago. {yes, I'm a slacker, it's been sitting in storage all this time.}


This is probably a stupid question of mine, I just was sort of expecting the same thing and felt compelled to ask.

Also, I picked up a roller pilot bearing, but I also have the bronze piece that came with the kit.
Does it honestly make a lot of differance on the pilot bushing to have a roller vs non roller?

Lastly, I noticed the my trans is leaking gear oil out of the shifter rod locations. It's nothing bad, but considering I spent a lot of time cleaning and repainting the trans, it's irritating the hell out of me over some simple leaks.

[milner351]

Re: Clutch stuff, questions. Ford top loader.

I've had several clutches in and out of toploader cars, and I was in such a hurry to swap them, I never took the time to compare the weight of them - what a dummy I am.

It makes sense that a clutch system designed to take more load would be of a thicker gauge steel and be heavier. This will effect the acceleration of the reciprocating assembly, but I don't think you'd notice it - it's not like swapping an aluminum flywheel for a steel one - which you really notice!

As far as the needle bearing pilot - I think it's a good piece - they last a long time in the 5.0 era 302 mustangs, I've never put one in an older vehicle - it makes sense that they'd work just fine and likely free up some parasitic loss through the drivetrain too. They are more sensitive to mis alignment than the old solid bushings.

[squirrel]

Re: Clutch stuff, questions. Ford top loader.

the only time the pilot bearing is turning is when the clutch pedal is pushed in....and parasitic losses aren't very important then. I've seen a roller pilot bearing chew up an input shaft when it went bad. Probably not very likely to happen though.

Interesting about the differences in the clutch plates.

[Eliteman76]

Re: Clutch stuff, questions. Ford top loader.

Thanks guys.
I went on a top loader site www.davidkeetoploaders.com and found everything I needed parts wise, but found out I need to take my trans apart and replace the shifter arm seals from the inside of the housing which requires a fair amount of work. Not sure if I want to mess with it now but I'll probably get over the fear, buy a service book and fix it myself.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Clutch stuff, questions. Ford top loader.

Tranny leaks suck. My Impala's four speed leaks out the speedo cable seal. It runs down the cable and drips on the driveway. I know it's time to refill the tranny when it stops leaking.

[squirrel]

Re: Clutch stuff, questions. Ford top loader.

pm me if you want scans of the service manual pages for the old top loaders. Although getting your own service manual would be a good idea anyways....

[Huskinhano]

Re: Clutch stuff, questions. Ford top loader.

I would think the lighter disk would make for slightly easier shifting and less load on the synchros then trying to slow down/up the extra mass.

[trukluvr]

Re: Clutch stuff, questions. Ford top loader.

Tranny leaks suck. My Impala's four speed leaks out the speedo cable seal. It runs down the cable and drips on the driveway. I know it's time to refill the tranny when it stops leaking.

You are quite the scientist. Such an exact measurement of the fluid level is amazing.

[Eliteman76]

Re: Clutch stuff, questions. Ford top loader.

Thanks Jim-
I found in my 1972 service books the exploded diagrams.
Don't laugh too much, but I found when I first got my GTS running, I took the trans apart for cleaning the case and paint, and installed the 1-2 shifter backwards. Had first where second was, and second was where first shifted. That one took me a bit to figure out until I got back into my books. Talk about a WTF was I thinking moment, and I even took pictures before breakdown for paint.

Being I have a big gun boat of a car, I figure any extra mass would be better than a lighter piece.
I know I should bite the bullet and replace the fly wheel, but it's still good aside from the starter ring issue.

Thanks guys.