Actually, the 2WD transmission was difficult to balance. I had some ratchet straps holding it on and some scrap wood under it to balance it out. That one fin is right on the bottom, where you'd want to put the jack. Sigh...

I never had the transmission out from under the truck. I just slid it back between the fuel tank and the exhaust. It was out of the way for working on the back of the motor.

 

Valair has a pretty beefy PP for us guys.

The clutch will get better when its broke in.

My kev/ceramic is just amazing.

Though, if I get a daily driver, i'm going full Kevlar.


Let me rephrase that.

If I get another truck that wont be modded out, it will have a full Kevlar clutch.

 

The Kevlar as appealing, but the budget was limited.

 

So, I think I may have screwed up.

Here's what's happening. The clutch is engaging, I'd say 1/2 to 2/3 through pedal travel. The clutch is very rough to engage, sometimes. It literally feels like I'm dumping the clutch when I shift or start moving. I have to engage it very slowly and rev match each shift. I can't see how that's right.

I cannot think of what I did wrong. The clutch was installed with the supplied alignment tool. The alignment tool could be removed and reinserted easily (did so several times). And the transmission slipped right back on. All of the bolts were thread locked and torqued to Ford or Valair specs (as appropriate). With the clutch pedal depressed, the clutch disc spun freely.

I'm considering two things:
a. The clutch disc was damaged in shipping because UPS tends to be like that around here.
b. I'm just not used to a heavy duty clutch. With the removal of the dual mass fly wheel there's no slack in the system to make up for bad clutching. And, I'm engaging the clutch to quickly because my brain still thinks the friction point is in the first 1" of travel. Then we add that I purchased the one that's twice the factory standard for torque. I'm guessing that one's pretty aggressively designed.

I'm gonna call Valair today and see what they think. Thoughts or comments? Thanks guys and gals.

(Edit, throw-out bearing only goes on one way. Picture on Valair's webpage confirmed this morning)

 

Yes, throwout only works one way.

With the way valair packaged my clutch, it would be hard for anything to be damaged.
I just called and said the bolts should be packaged better cause mine were floating around.

Call Dan or Gary and ask.
Gary is chattier than Dan.

As not having a organic clutch.
I cannot say for sure.
but if its grabbing. Thats good! =)
haha.
But, it might be breaking in still.

Be sure to let us all know what they say.
I doubt you did anything wrong.

Clutches are one of those... Looks hard at first, sorta jobs, and then you go. "oh yeah, that was stupid easy"
its stabbing the trans thats the hard part.

My Kev/ceramic occasionally gets bitey with me too.
Otherwise its smooth.
It just argues if I dont drive for a week.

 

Just got off the phone with Gary at Valair (really nice guy). Apparently it's all part of the breakin process (and my paranoia, never drove the truck with a good clutch). The clutch has a heavy duty spring hub on it and is exceptionally grabby (a good thing when towing). I just have to baby it around (no 2nd gear starts...and no down shift braking) for a few hundred miles apparently.

 

i just finished installing a Valaire 350 HP clutch kit in my rig..(F250 PSD 4X4) and it was a job... but with 2 of you its not that bad. also you may want to change out the rear main seal while your in there. i saved enough $ to upgrade from stock to a heavier clutch with Valaire so give em a call. and you may want to add oil to the tranny while you have the shifter out. this will cut down on the noise alot. i put 5 1/2 qts in mine and all is quiet. i got all of my advice here on this site. these guys know their stuff!

 

I just did mine, mine feels the same way. Its normal from everything I have read. Im workin on breaking mine in lol.

 

Yeah, it's been steadily settling out. I've got about 50 miles on it.

I think part of it is me getting used to the new flywheel. Before the SM conversion, the engine would spin longer and spool up slower.