Ring Gear replacement?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
From: Tempe
Ring Gear replacement?
Hey guys,
Here's my predicament. I have a 78 F-150, with the 300 and 4 speed M/T. I have slowly been fixing it for the past couple years, using it as a learning experience considering how easy they are to work on. I have a decent amount of money in the truck, and came to the decision it was best to sell it and stash a little money for now. My issue is that while it has a new starter, the ring gear has seen better days (missing teeth that keep lining up). Seeing as the starter was original, I am sure the ring gear is as well. Should I just bite the bullet and have it replaced? The clutch is still fine so thats the only reason I was putting it off. Also, with a little rattly throwout bearing, should I replace that as well if I do the ring gear. I obviously put that disclosure in the sale ad, but part of me just wants to get it taken care of for whoever might want to buy it. Any advice is much appreciated. I will not be doing the work myself, so I assume I am looking at about $300 or so for labor. I know the actual parts aren't expensive.
Here's my predicament. I have a 78 F-150, with the 300 and 4 speed M/T. I have slowly been fixing it for the past couple years, using it as a learning experience considering how easy they are to work on. I have a decent amount of money in the truck, and came to the decision it was best to sell it and stash a little money for now. My issue is that while it has a new starter, the ring gear has seen better days (missing teeth that keep lining up). Seeing as the starter was original, I am sure the ring gear is as well. Should I just bite the bullet and have it replaced? The clutch is still fine so thats the only reason I was putting it off. Also, with a little rattly throwout bearing, should I replace that as well if I do the ring gear. I obviously put that disclosure in the sale ad, but part of me just wants to get it taken care of for whoever might want to buy it. Any advice is much appreciated. I will not be doing the work myself, so I assume I am looking at about $300 or so for labor. I know the actual parts aren't expensive.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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Likes: 2,371
Since it's not being sold as a fully restored vehicle if it were me I'd disclose it and sell it as is. you'll have a lot more than $300 in getting it replaced and the new owner may rather do it themselves than pay the added price you'd need to recover your expense.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
From: Tempe
That was my thought as well. After all is said and done replacing that, I would probably be just above breaking even. And that's if once they get in there they don't find any other problems I am not aware of. I still cruise it 20 miles round trip to work a few times a week so it doesn't effect drivability, I just have to manually turn it when it lines up, or try to park on a little decline so I can just turn it inside the cab.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,813
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Are Tempe Az shop rates that cheap? Wow I need to trailer a couple of project trucks that way and get them worked on then. Lol I bet you will have way more than $300 to pull a transmission and replace a ring gear + clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. You will have more than that just in quality parts. Meaning since you or someone else is in there, best to change all 3, (clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing) and hope the flywheel surface is ok too.
Trying to sell a truck needing work might or might not work out in your favor. All depends on how much you are asking for it up front. And if the possible new owner wants a project that needs a little work or a buy and drive.
Guess you can put it on the market and see if anyone is interested and then if you get no takers due to it needing a little work. Bit the bullet, get it fixed and adjust the price accordingly. I would guess that an add saying "New clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and ring gear" will catch more attention than an For Sale add saying it is NEEDING all that. Or at least the ring gear for sure.
Trying to sell a truck needing work might or might not work out in your favor. All depends on how much you are asking for it up front. And if the possible new owner wants a project that needs a little work or a buy and drive.
Guess you can put it on the market and see if anyone is interested and then if you get no takers due to it needing a little work. Bit the bullet, get it fixed and adjust the price accordingly. I would guess that an add saying "New clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and ring gear" will catch more attention than an For Sale add saying it is NEEDING all that. Or at least the ring gear for sure.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
From: Tempe
Are Tempe Az shop rates that cheap? Wow I need to trailer a couple of project trucks that way and get them worked on then. Lol I bet you will have way more than $300 to pull a transmission and replace a ring gear + clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. You will have more than that just in quality parts. Meaning since you or someone else is in there, best to change all 3, (clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing) and hope the flywheel surface is ok too.
Trying to sell a truck needing work might or might not work out in your favor. All depends on how much you are asking for it up front. And if the possible new owner wants a project that needs a little work or a buy and drive.
Guess you can put it on the market and see if anyone is interested and then if you get no takers due to it needing a little work. Bit the bullet, get it fixed and adjust the price accordingly. I would guess that an add saying "New clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and ring gear" will catch more attention than an For Sale add saying it is NEEDING all that. Or at least the ring gear for sure.
Trying to sell a truck needing work might or might not work out in your favor. All depends on how much you are asking for it up front. And if the possible new owner wants a project that needs a little work or a buy and drive.
Guess you can put it on the market and see if anyone is interested and then if you get no takers due to it needing a little work. Bit the bullet, get it fixed and adjust the price accordingly. I would guess that an add saying "New clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and ring gear" will catch more attention than an For Sale add saying it is NEEDING all that. Or at least the ring gear for sure.
For sure! I dont have the exact price, but last time I was in the shop I mentioned it and they said it was at least 3 hours of labor. Ring gear is under $20 so I was just taking a guess. Clutch is good, that's why I have put off doing it. Figured do it all at once since the tranny has to come out. I made a list of all the work that I have done so far, between all new brakes (master, booster, lines, proportioning valve, resurface) that alone was $800, among other miscellaneous stuff I have replaced. The only issue is the ring gear, and thats why I have been going back and forth on just shelling out the money to do it. I have it up for 5k, no rust, good patina and very straight, but the offers of 3k I have gotten seem crazy. Maybe its just me and I am overvaluing what I have, but in the Phx area there are some selling for higher in very rough shape.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
For sure! I dont have the exact price, but last time I was in the shop I mentioned it and they said it was at least 3 hours of labor. Ring gear is under $20 so I was just taking a guess. Clutch is good, that's why I have put off doing it. Figured do it all at once since the tranny has to come out. I made a list of all the work that I have done so far, between all new brakes (master, booster, lines, proportioning valve, resurface) that alone was $800, among other miscellaneous stuff I have replaced. The only issue is the ring gear, and thats why I have been going back and forth on just shelling out the money to do it. I have it up for 5k, no rust, good patina and very straight, but the offers of 3k I have gotten seem crazy. Maybe its just me and I am overvaluing what I have, but in the Phx area there are some selling for higher in very rough shape.
If you're just tired of working on it park it and get a different daily driver for now. Come up with a plan to fix it over time. It's only going to be worth more with time. Maybe find a guy at a local junk yard that will pull the trans for you for a $100. then get everything lined up parts wise and a new ring gear put on your flywheel and have it resurfaced and balanced. Then when you have things lined up get your junk yard guy back and the both of you put it back in and give him another $100. If you're using this truck as your daily driver there in lies your problem IMO.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,813
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Well run an add in Phx area as is, and see if you get any traction there towards a sale. Good luck
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
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From: Tempe
It always come down to what someone will pay for it on a given day. People are willing to have rust free trucks shipped to the rust belt for a worthy build candidate where people in Phoenix have many trucks to choose from. When someone says I've done this or this to their tuck when it comes time to sell it unless they have documentation of the work the buyer is only going to pay a price as though the work never happened if they're smart. Choose a market to sell your truck where what you have is in the highest demand and be honest about what you have and why your selling and you;ll have much better luck selling it. If that's the route you choose.
If you're just tired of working on it park it and get a different daily driver for now. Come up with a plan to fix it over time. It's only going to be worth more with time. Maybe find a guy at a local junk yard that will pull the trans for you for a $100. then get everything lined up parts wise and a new ring gear put on your flywheel and have it balanced. Then when you have things lined up get your junk yard guy back and the both of you put it back in and give him another $100. If you're using this truck as your daily driver there in lies your problem IMO.
If you're just tired of working on it park it and get a different daily driver for now. Come up with a plan to fix it over time. It's only going to be worth more with time. Maybe find a guy at a local junk yard that will pull the trans for you for a $100. then get everything lined up parts wise and a new ring gear put on your flywheel and have it balanced. Then when you have things lined up get your junk yard guy back and the both of you put it back in and give him another $100. If you're using this truck as your daily driver there in lies your problem IMO.
Totally agree! Trucks only worth what someone wants to pay. And luckily no it is not my daily driver, although I have used it as such. The only downside to using it as a DD this past summer was the heat here in the valley and it not having AC. But as far as driving it, no overheating problems or anything like that. And from the beginning of owning this I have kept the receipts, both from parts I purchased/installed myself, as well as the invoices when I took it to the shop for things above my pay grade. And you make a very great point, which I have thought about before. Even being a longbed with the 300, the fact its not rusting to pieces is definitely an argument to hang on to it thinking the value will keep going up, and just replace things as a process, rather than unloading money in all at once.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
From: Tempe
Yessir, already did. And obviously disclosed the ring gear. I was absolutely had on a 70 cougar a few years back. Tons of unmentioned issues, lies about what all had been done, so I would never do the same. I keep telling myself karma always comes back to get those kinds of people.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
From: Tempe
Well quick update. Went to start the truck this weekend, had to turn the crank a few different times to finally get some teeth to grab so I am just going to bite the bullet and replace it. It has definitely gotten worse from the first time I had the issue and I am sure it will help be a selling point. I am also going to do the clutch/pressure plate/throwout bearing while I am at it. Waiting to hear back from my local shop on an estimate but can't imagine it will be pretty. Anything else I should do while its in there? I was thinking rear main seal. I get a drop or two of oil and haven't been able to pinpoint from where, so I think that might be one of the culprits. I already did the valve cover gasket a while ago and that helped.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,813
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Well since they are right in there, you might as well have them replace it. Easier to sell a truck with 99.999% no issues, +mew parts, than having a ring gear ect...issue. Hopefully it benefits you in the end or at least helps make the sale.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
x2 on the rear main seal. Also have the bell housing hot tanked and paint it so in the future it will be easier to ID the origins of any future oil leaks and the bell housing won't be an instant magnet to any road grime.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
From: Tempe
Yeah that was my thought as well. Not ideal to dump a decent chunk of money in at this point, but at the same time it will be addressing a pretty big issue and should be more appealing. They said that unless the seal was bone dry, which I highly doubt, they would swap it out. On the bright side doing these repairs should net a little more and can adjust the price accordingly.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
From: Tempe
Yeah they are already right there, whats another $20 or so for the part. Only makes sense to replace it. And I believe the shop can do that for me, if not i'll ask them. Still waiting on a quote but at this point preparing for a nice amount to deal with.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
From: Tempe
Alrighty! Heard back from the shop. $1220 and change for the clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, ring gear, and a flywheel just in case, since they aren't sure of the condition that its in. Gotta spend money to make money! At least thats what I am telling myself. Honestly makes me want to keep it more, but I have my sights set on another 70 cougar and dont have space for 3 vehicles.
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