Hi, Does anyone know how I would know if I need a new clutch? My pedal engages when the pedal is very close to the floor. I have never had a ford before so I don't know how they respond totally... But my instincts tell me I need a new clutch... I have a 89 f-150 L6 ... If so what is the cost of having a new clutch put in? If you are experienced in this could you let me know?

 

Could just need some fluid..

use DOT3 Brake fluid... the clust master cylinder should be up near you break master cylinder.. they take the same stuff... could also see if you can lengthen the pushrod on the master.

just had to put in a hydrolic cluth in a mine... I got a 71 300 I6 in an 84 Ford Pickup. lol..

in 84 the half ton some of them had hydrolic the rest weren't...

but in the 89 I think they are all hydrolic.. you could also bleed the system... what ya do is loosen the bleeder nut on the top of the slave cylinder down by your tranny... Push the cluch down hold it... tighten the bleeder nut... check the fluid, and pull the clutch off the floor.. pump it up... with a buddy watchin for bubbles.. you still get bubbles.. do it agian.. and keep doin it till they disappear.. if it's not gettin it then you need a new cluch..

its not hard to do with a lift and a tranny jack... if you got one.. the hard part is putting it all back together... but its not bad.. if done right should take about 2 or 3 hours...

 

I'm from Canada, and up here you can get a remanufactured pressure plate and new disc for about $200. Give her *****, and then shift into a gear too soon and mat it. Does it load down the engine right away, or does it slip and allow the engine to rev up a little bit?

 

I'm from Vegas.. I can get a new pressure plate and clutch rebuild kit for $135 and a new fly wheel for 80 bucks from CarQuest lol... they are every where lol coruse that's all for a 71... priced 84 once... they wanted almost 200 bucks for the rebuilt kit.. which includes throw out bearing, pressure plate, and a clutch... need to know how big clutch is though.. ford used 11 and 12 after 84...

 

im not possitive but i think you should have aprox 2 inchs of free play at the top of the pedal........

 

Get up to a decent speed, like 50MPH, place your foot on the clutch and rev the engine about 1K more than it is. Then dump the clutch, the Tach should fall quickly if not buck the truck, if it falls slowly, the plate is slipping.

That is how I was shown, and it works.

 

if its hydro, then slave is probably out, they tend to go out pretty easy, had to replace mine so i just replaced the whole clutch system

 

If it engages really close to the floor it should be good, it's when the clutch engages about 2in. from the end is when you have to worry about something, my uncle had his just go out on his 94, thing was so wore out you could only run it in 3rd without severe slippage, it has a 5 spd.

 

Hi Redneck- Cowboy,

When you say 2 inches from the end you mean 2" from the out position as when the clutch is not pressed? Thanks for your insight!

 

Yes; if it only engages at the top of the pedal travel, you have a problem. Engaging at the bottom means the little plastic bushing on the pedal lever is worn out. Yours is slightly different from this, but close enough. It's directly above the gas pedal.

 

Yeah thats right.

Redneck-Cowboy

 

Wow what service! thanks guys!

 

If you don't have an adjustable Master push rod, you can adjust the position that the clutch engages. That clutch lever shown above is splined. You can remove it and adjust the position of the lever on the shaft, and give the same effect of an adjustable push rod on the Master.

 

Moving a whole spline is a LOT of change - probably too much. And it's almost impossible to split a spline; that's why Ford recommends changing the lever anytime the MC is changed - so you can start clean and cut all new splines. Considering the low cost of the lever, it's not worth fighting an old one.

 

Forgive me for digressing, but how do you get to the clutch switch (88 F150 4.9) can't seem to see it from below -- do you
pull the inst panel? My clutch starts engaging 1/2 " off the deck
(OK says the manual), but I have to push the pedal almost thru the floor to activate the switch