anyone done this before in here? well im sure someone has. its a 59 f-100 w/ the stock 6 cyl. and 3 on the tree w/ hydraulic clutch. how long does a job like this take someone who is mechanically inclined?
adam

 

I don't have a 59, but it's all about the same.

You have 2 choices:
1. If you have a cherry picker, pull the engine/tranny and work on them out of the truck (my preferred way) or just the engine, but it's more difficult to put back together.

2. or disconnect the driveshaft, all tranny hookups including shift linkage/clutch/etc., unbolt at the bell housing and slide the tranny back far enough to allow access to the flywheel.

Be sure to change the throwout bearing while you're in there.

 

I haven't done a 59 but have done a bunch of clutch work on different things. I would say it is a lot less work to drop the tranny out of the truck versus removing the engine. I would guess if you are the mechanical type you should have no problem getting it done in a day (6 to 8 hours), if you haven't done it before. It's just a lot of wrenching not an overly technical job. Make sure you have a floor jack to hold the weight of the tranny....those things weight a few pounds. You will also need a clutch alignment tool (or a good eye) to line up the clutch disk to the flywheel bushing. I usually just eye them up real good and slip the tranny in.

 

I'm asking a ?? I probably shouldn't, but the reason why you're replacing the flywheel is what? If it's just an issue with the ring gear, that's replaceable without tossing the flywheel.

 

But don't you still have to remove the tranny to replace the ring gear?

 

well i wasnt to clear about it but yes i am just replacing the ring gear, saem diff. tho since u have to pull the flywheel to get the new ring gear pressed on
adam

 

True, but you're really not replacing the flywheel and that clarifies things quite a bit. Thanks.

 

OK, now that you have the flywheel off the next step is replacing the ring gear.
Ive found this to be the easiest way to do it:

Use a cut-off wheel or a good hacksaw to cut the ring almost in half; finish with a few chisel blows. Smooth any rough spots.

Put the flywheel in the freezer and the new ring in the oven; usually best to wait until the old lady is out. Heat to around 350F.

Have the work surface all ready. Place hot ring on cold wheel and tap in place with a brass mallet or dead blow hammer. Be very careful about accurate placement, there is not much room for runout tolerances.