Hi all, I've got a '79 F150 4x4 302/NP435, and have a problem. About 3 months ago I noticed the clutch pedal was very stiff, and the pedal travel changed. I know it was the throwout arm moving around on the pivot, but it popped back in place on its own. Now, it's done the same thing, except it has not come off the pivot, and has fallen out of the bell housing. Everybody I've talked to says it should have one of two types of pivots; a round ball type pivot or a flat clip on the arm. What I have, looking at the arm, is a metal clip an inch wide and about 1 3/4" long, bowed in the middle, and riveted on both sides with two small rivets. It looks as if it is supposed to slip down over a pin on the bell housing. THe two people I've talked to about it say they've never heard of that type pivot, and haven't been able to answer my question. My question is: How can I get this thing back on the throwout bearing and back on to whatever pivot it uses? I can't find a picture or exploded diagram of the bell housing for this thing anywhere, and nobody in town has one I can look at. I can't quite see into the hole in the side because the front driveshaft is in the way, along with exhaust and frame. I removed the driveshaft, and tried using a mirror but still can't see. Has anybody had a similar problem?

 

I'd say you'll be looking at pulling the trans back to get it back where its sopposed to be, and that way you can see why it keeps falling off, and fix that too.

 

Damn, I just edited out all the info I typed because I noticed something.

Ford did not offer the 302 with 4WD in F150's until 1980. Prior to 1980, the only 302 4WD = 1969/77 Bronco.

Swapped 302 engine: No parts catalog or shop manual info for it.

 

Nope, no 302/4spd 4x4 in '79. The bell housing from the original 300 I6 was used in the swap.

 

It's called a "clip" style. No ball style used on the old trucks.

The version before that used a wire clip and was just sort of hanging there and used the springs tension to keep everything in place.

It is a huge PITA to get that arm in place with the bellhousing bolted up etc.

Josh

 

Here's an update, degreased the arm, found that it is the clip style, and that looks OK. I was able to stick a pinhole camera and a couple white LEDs on the end of a stick, so I could get it into the bell housing and see what I'm dealing with. I got the arm in place, where it is supposed to be, but there is nothing behind it for the clip to clip onto. Is seems like there should be a bracket or something behind it, but nothing is there. Unless I have the arm in the wrong spot but it doesn't look like there are many places it can go.

 

Josh

 

Those pics show the internal bracket with non-factory bolts holding it on.

Josh

 

Thanks for the pics, those were a big help. The pivot is still mounted where it's supposed to be, looks like the spring just broke. Now, here's a tough question:
WHere can I find another throwout arm or a new clip? Checked Ebay, nothing at all on there (I've been having a lot of trouble finding things for my trucks on Ebay lately) and the parts houses here don't have anything listed. Any suggestions?

 

NAPA, O'Reilley and Autozone etc have forks...

CF-101 @ Autozone $20.99 for example

Josh

 

I see... I was calling it a throwout arm or clutch arm... so that's what they were trying to look up every time I called. Ok, problem solved, thanks a bunch, once again!

 

oh yeah... clutch fork

Josh

 

Well, turns out the pivot is gone as well. Took the exhaust on that side out to get a better look, and so I won't have to work around it. Now I'm able to see that the pivot is gone, both rivets are broken, one still in the hole. Where can I find a new pivot? It doesn't look like there's room for 2 bolts to be put in to hold it without removing the transmission and bell housing. Any way at all to get around removing the bell housing, if I manage to find a new pivot?

 

Im gonna bump this, I NEED THIS BRACKET!! for a 79 f150 2wd with a 302, the rivets holding it in place sheared off after i replaced the clutch release assembly, does anyone know the part #?! thanks!

 

It's been a while, I don't remember where exactly, but I found the arm, and bracket/pivot/clip. I don't remember if it was Ebay or Autozone... I don't remember seeing it in my Ebay purchase history, so I assume it was Autozone or a small company online somewhere. Had the engine pulled, clutch replaced with a diaphragm clutch, new arm and bracket/pivot installed (with grade 8 nuts, bolts and washers), and it's doing great.