Funny you should mention spicer. I never did have very good luck with a spicer clutch. Maybe it is just my luck with them but it seems like they always wind up slipping. Seems like we wound up adjusting them alot more often also.

Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6

 

Phil, You are absolutely right about that adjustment. It may sound unbelievable but there are mechanics out there that do not know how to adjust those clutches properly. Big truck mechanics. Guy's that try to adjust the clutch by the turnbuckles on the linkage but not actually going inside the housing and making the adjustment on the clutch itself. You know as well as I do that those clutches should give years of service when operated and adjusted properly. I saw a clutch replaced in one years time. The lining still appeared decent but the pressure plate/bearing assembly was all torn up. Ugly and expensive.

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.

 

The 3 dollar plate is called a firewall reinforcement plate for the clutch master. It install inside the cab against the firewall and doesn't require any bleeding of the system or other tricky work. In fact, all you need to install is a 1/4 drive ratchet, a long extension, a swivel and a 13mm socket.

As far a Spicer clutch slipping, there is a procedure to break in the clutch disc's buttons so that they grab equally. You simply apply the park brake, shift into 3 low, and release the clutch pedal until engagement begins to lug the motor a good bit and hold at this position for 5 seconds then release the clutch for a minute to cool off. If the clutch continues to slip after that, you can repeat the burn in procedure up to 2 times more within a 30 minute span. The adjustment on a Spicer clutch is strictly for free pedal and release travel, it has nothing to do with slippage, only of course if the linkage does not allow the pressure plate to fully disengage. And , just like when you cut any flywheel, the pressure plate gets closer to the engine, in which, you should install a clutch brake spacer between the clutch brake and the front of the transmission in order to regain the correct distance between the throwout brg. and the front of the transmission. And as always, you can still get a bad clutch pack, no matter who made it or rebuilt it or installed it!
Phil

 

Hey Phil,
I didn't know about that procedure. I am going to tell my Dad to try it on one of our local trucks that is a constant clutch eater. I have always adjusted the clutchs from the internal adjuster and pretty much left the linkage alone unless it was loose. I should mention that the truck we have the most clutch problems on is one with an air over hydraulic clutch system in a Volvo. Never been too crazy over the clutch in that thing feels like you are stepping on a sponge all the time. Oh Well. Thanks for the info!

Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6

 

>Hey Phil,
>I didn't know about that procedure.
>I am going to tell
>my Dad to try it
>on one of our local
>trucks that is a constant
>clutch eater. I have always
>adjusted the clutchs from the
>internal adjuster and pretty much
>left the linkage alone unless
>it was loose. I should
>mention that the truck we
>have the most clutch problems
>on is one with an
>air over hydraulic clutch system
>in a Volvo. Never been
>too crazy over the clutch
>in that thing feels like
>you are stepping on a
>sponge all the time. Oh
>Well. Thanks for the info!
>
>
>Brad Godkin
>1986 F350 CC/SRW
>6.9liter/C6

For the Volvo, you may have the wrong clutch pack in it now if it is not OEM. Spicer has specific clutch packs for trucks with hydraulic,air, or cable mechanism versus the mechanical(rods and links) mechanism. The difference is the amount of stroke that is required to disengage as well as engage the pressure plate. I'm in the habit now that I always ask the truck owner or mechanic what type of linkage is used before I even open the book to look up the replacement clutch.
Phil

 

I called my Dad today to tell him about it and I think he is getting ready to trade it off anyway. We have had marginal luck with it since we bought it Probably go with another Pete since the other 3 trucks are Peterbilts. Actually for the prive of the truck when it was new I don't guess it was too bad. It has dragged an end dump trailer it's whole life. They tend to be hard on equipt anyway. Thanks for the Info.

Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6