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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Clutch Issues

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Old Jul 11, 2003 | 07:32 PM
  #1  
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From: Bryan Texas
Clutch Issues

I have an 85 ford 150 with the 300 and 4 spped overdrive. Since I bought the truck several months ago I had strange things with the transmisson. when your in first gear You have to stand on it to make it go but after that it shifts fine no noises. Then ocasionally til third gear you have to stand on the gas any body know.....
 
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Old Jul 12, 2003 | 06:50 AM
  #2  
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From: tx
Clutch Issues

How is it going,

I would check your engine, make sure it is tunned. Is the truck 2wd or 4wd. What size tire do you have on the rear? If you have a larger tire on the rear this is part of your problem. Well the real problem is your tranmission. I am a true blue ford dude, but the 3spd and 4ovd are the most worthless transmissions. The way too high geared 4spd overdrive combined with your high geared rear end equals no low end power.
You need to put in a c6, 4spd(borgwarner t18 or np 435). These tranmissions don't have a overdrive gear but are much more suited for 0 to 60 mph. With particular instrust on the t18 and np435 because the have a granny low first gear which makes all the difference. I had a 3spd (same as yours with no od) in one of my 80's 2wd 6 cyc, and got struck on wet grass on a hill. NO mud mind you just wet grass.

Good luck,

ITS all in the gears.
chuck
 
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Old Jul 12, 2003 | 06:53 AM
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cdd5599
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From: tx
Clutch Issues

I forgot to tell you with the 3spd I would end up replacing the clutch twice a year becuase it was so high geared in first every time a took off from stop i would burn a little clutch.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2003 | 11:17 AM
  #4  
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From: Bryan Texas
Clutch Issues

Well the engine is running top knotch. but ia m running 265 70 r15 in the rear with the wonderful 243 gears the truck is killer on gas milage but won't go The 300 has got the power but I beleve your right I am going to change the clutch then switch to the c6 from my other parts truck. Thanks a bunch
 
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Old Jul 12, 2003 | 11:48 AM
  #5  
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From: GANS
Clutch Issues

if it was my truck, i'd switch the rear to 3.08s, and put in a t-18/t-19

the granny gear will let you pull like crazy, and the 308s will keep your motor into the powerband when you are cruising.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2003 | 01:30 PM
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Clutch Issues

Originally posted by bremen242
the granny gear will let you pull like crazy, and the 308s will keep your motor into the powerband when you are cruising.
That's my philosophy. My truck weighs 1,000lb more than it should, but I run a 4.9L, NP-435 (deepest granny available), and 3.08s. I can tow 12,000lb or do 90mph.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2003 | 02:00 PM
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From: GANS
Clutch Issues

I had a 3speed stick w/ od, and 3.55 gears (had a 6 with clifford intake/headers,44bl), and it ran good, but it just didn't have any thing over 3500rpms (it'd pull, but just for the fact it was geared and wound up with a big carb). plus the OD tranny was the biggest piece of junk i've ever used.

do you still have 235's on your bronco or 31x10.50s?
 
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Old Jul 13, 2003 | 02:19 AM
  #8  
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Clutch Issues

Originally posted by steve83
That's my philosophy. My truck weighs 1,000lb more than it should, but I run a 4.9L, NP-435 (deepest granny available), and 3.08s. I can tow 12,000lb or do 90mph.
I too am running a 4.9L Np435 and 3.08 gears in my 84 F150 4wd, it pulls like a mule and still has no problem hitting 80-85 MPH on the freeway. If I keep her around 65-70 mph she'll get 16-18mpg!
 
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Old Jul 13, 2003 | 02:38 PM
  #9  
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Clutch Issues

Originally posted by Pkupman82
...she'll get 16-18mpg!
I don't get THAT kind of economy, even cruising downhill with a tailwind & the engine turned off!
 
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Old Jul 13, 2003 | 03:36 PM
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Clutch Issues

My 300 averaged 18 MPG loaded, over 2100 miles... 290H cam, headers, 9.1:1 compression, and, the good 'ol 1bbl, NP 435 and 2.75 gears with 31x10.50's... Best I did unloaded was 26(441 miles on a 17 gallon tank) It LOVED to criuse at 1900 RPM, and 100 MPH was a mere 3000 RPM....
 
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Old Jul 18, 2003 | 12:37 AM
  #11  
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Clutch Issues

Originally posted by steve83
I don't get THAT kind of economy, even cruising downhill with a tailwind & the engine turned off!
Well that is understandable because a Bronco is much heavier than a pickup truck. Exactly how bad is your mileage?
 
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Old Jul 18, 2003 | 12:56 AM
  #12  
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From: Memphis, TN
Clutch Issues

About 11.8 MPG if I'm basically unloaded ; about 11.2 if I'm towing ~2 tons ; about 10.5 if I'm off-roading in Low Range .
 

Last edited by steve83; Jul 18, 2003 at 01:22 AM.
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Old Jul 18, 2003 | 01:16 AM
  #13  
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From: Coutts Canada
Clutch Issues

The 2.45 gears are your problem. I had the same gears and i ended roasting the tranny clutch and flywheel(the flywheel looked like a dry lakebed it was so cracked) To solve your problem you have to tell me if you want to keep your od tranny or not. If you do get a set of 3.55 gears and a new clutch (does your truck chatter/vibrate really bad at takeoff?) due to the gears and maybe a flywheel if its cracked really bad.

As for what i did to fix my problem i went with a toploader 4sp wide ratio tranny (bolted right in) the clutch and flywheel that came with it and a set of 3:1 gears. I recomend this combo because the gearing is just right but if you want some more grunt with this setup get some 3.55 or 3.73 gears.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2003 | 06:23 AM
  #14  
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Clutch Issues

Originally posted by steve83
About 11.8 MPG if I'm basically unloaded ; about 11.2 if I'm towing ~2 tons ; about 10.5 if I'm off-roading in Low Range .
I get about that driving in town, off roading it feels about the same but I never really checked it. I know in the winter time use 4wd more often and still really don't notice a whole lot of a difference. when the roads have snow and ice on them I always drive with the front hubs locked in. Towing I go about 8-10 mpg. Overall I am very happy with my mileage, concidering what type of vehicle I am driving. Thats why I love my 300 six so much.
 
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