Need Clutch Advise
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New User
Joined: Jul 2021
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Need Clutch Advise
New guy here, was looking at a 1961 F100 today for sale. It has a 5.0 liter V8 engine. All was good and I was considering the purchase until I drove it. Runs good, plenty of power but the clutch pedal was brutal. Super hard to push in and almost impossible to release smoothly, once you got half way out it super grabbed. I had a hard time controlling it and stalled the engine a bunch of times. Current owner seemed to deal with it okay but it was very uncomfortable for me.
So question is, can I replace the pressure plate with a less aggressive one? Is there also a return spring on the outside that could be too strong. Or should I be looking at a different truck?
So question is, can I replace the pressure plate with a less aggressive one? Is there also a return spring on the outside that could be too strong. Or should I be looking at a different truck?
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 643
Likes: 210
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
I am currently putting a Mustang World Class T5 five speed behind my OG 292 in my '62. I am going with a hydraulic clutch. Not installed yet so I cannot tell you exactly on the feel. With that 5.0 I would think about a different tranny... Possibly just a linkage thing though.
See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,918
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From: Mariposa, Ca.
There are some FTE members in your neck of the woods. Perhaps one of them would go with you to check it out and give an opinion? Not sure if you’re familiar with these trucks, but maybe taking along someone who is can help you make an good decision. Sounds like potential tranny and or clutch problems, and a well-informed second opinion might save you money and trouble. Good luck.
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,057
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From: Seattle
I've seen pressure plates in a couple of different styles. The originals are the long style with 3 arms that contact the throw-out bearing and the newer optional ones are diaphragm style which have many more touch points with the throw-out bearing. The diaphragm style usually take less leg strength to disengage all things being equal. The Z-bar also often has a return spring attached between it and the frame or a frame bracket and the strength of that spring can make a difference in pressure needed as well.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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I'm out of my depth here but...
If I'm not mistaken, a 5.0 would require a complete rework of the clutch actuation and it's possible they got that wrong, resulting in a much harder pedal. They may have also installed a clutch that is able to hold far more power than the engine produces, in which case, a more appropriate clutch would fix the issue.
It also probably does not have the original transmission. The '54 to '64 truck transmissions have a longer input shaft so I think a spacer would be needed to use it with a Windsor bellhousing. And the mounting arrangement of the engine and trans in the stock configuration is quite a bit different than the requirements for a Windsor. It seems like it would be quite a bit more work to try to retain the stock transmission than to swap it at that point.
Some other than stock transmission or altered positioning of the stock transmission might cause shifting problems if care was not taken to perform modifications to make sure it works properly.
If the seller is trying to get perfectly functioning truck price, then pass. If you think it's priced reasonably for the problems and think you can fix those issues, maybe get it.
If I'm not mistaken, a 5.0 would require a complete rework of the clutch actuation and it's possible they got that wrong, resulting in a much harder pedal. They may have also installed a clutch that is able to hold far more power than the engine produces, in which case, a more appropriate clutch would fix the issue.
It also probably does not have the original transmission. The '54 to '64 truck transmissions have a longer input shaft so I think a spacer would be needed to use it with a Windsor bellhousing. And the mounting arrangement of the engine and trans in the stock configuration is quite a bit different than the requirements for a Windsor. It seems like it would be quite a bit more work to try to retain the stock transmission than to swap it at that point.
Some other than stock transmission or altered positioning of the stock transmission might cause shifting problems if care was not taken to perform modifications to make sure it works properly.
If the seller is trying to get perfectly functioning truck price, then pass. If you think it's priced reasonably for the problems and think you can fix those issues, maybe get it.
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Charlie, I think you hit the nail on the head. Buying something someone else has put together and no records is a tough buy for me. I'm a bit of a motor head but no way could build a hot rod or fix something like this not knowing what someone else has done. I would assume there probably had to be some modification after replacing the original six cyl with the V8, so its probably not as easy as just replacing a pressure plate. This is why I tend to buy pretty stock antique vehicles as much as I would love a hot rod. Truck is in nice shape (not perfect) and seems priced right for the guy that could deal with the clutch/tranny issue but with that said I think I will continue my search. Thanks all for your help I hope to be back here again.
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New User
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I did a little more research on this, found a you-tube where a guy swapped out the six with a 351 Cleveland, used the same tranny and everything bolted up fine. The question I would have is what flywheel, clutch and pressure plate would be the best for the application as well as what pressure release spring (I guess that would be the easy part)
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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If it is the stock transmission, then it has to be a 1 3/8" 10 spline clutch, which means that a stock (for the truck) clutch or some later big block clutch needs to be used. Exactly which, I can't help with because I don't know what limitations there may be within a windsor bellhousing.
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So if I bought this truck and pulled the tranny and laid it all out what is the worst case scenario, new clutch, pressure plate, flywheel and maybe a different tranny (hope not) or would it be more involved, possible modifications and welding. I'm fine a remove and replace but not at major modifications.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 643
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From: Grants Pass, Oregon
So if I bought this truck and pulled the tranny and laid it all out what is the worst case scenario, new clutch, pressure plate, flywheel and maybe a different tranny (hope not) or would it be more involved, possible modifications and welding. I'm fine a remove and replace but not at major modifications.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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Without knowing exactly what the problem is and considering that it is a swap performed by someone who seems not to have had enough skill, worst case is fabrication, which may include welding.
Is sounds like a truck you need to pass on.
Is sounds like a truck you need to pass on.
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Then back to the shifting, I haven't driven three on the tree for a while but I had a real hard time shifting from 1st to 2nd. Got stuck and the owner says you need to do the H pattern. Basically going like your shifting into reverse but only that direction a little without grinding the gears then into second. If I remember shifting was smooth and easy back in the day. That to me seems like a linkage adjustment.