Firewall Flex
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 1
From: Adams TN
ya but i'm to young to remember if they had a recall out for those trucks? i was born i 88. my truck is an 85 so i have no clue
i always thought it would suck if the clutch went to the floor and nothing happened
i always thought it would suck if the clutch went to the floor and nothing happened
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
it would be a "service recall" where they service if it fails, and if you don't ask a dealer, you don't know about it. You'd be amazed at the number of recalls handled that way by ALL manufacturers.
Now you went and made me feel old, DT, I graduated when you were born!!!
Now you went and made me feel old, DT, I graduated when you were born!!!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,739
Likes: 3
From: GANS
I have a question-
does everyone's ford's have an additional plate sandwitched between the clutch/brake master cylinder and and firewall??? I'm wondering b/c my '85's firewall is rusted badly, and it is working ok, but there is additional reinforcement. Did ford fix the problem in '83/'84?
here is a pic of my '84:
it is the flange / lip right above the master cylinder??
btw, when the clutch goes to the floor when you are driving, it DOES suck
I'd to put on a new MC/SC 2weeks ago.. I had to drive home without a clutch.. starting from a total stop requires turning the truck off, shifting into granny, and hitting the starter
does everyone's ford's have an additional plate sandwitched between the clutch/brake master cylinder and and firewall??? I'm wondering b/c my '85's firewall is rusted badly, and it is working ok, but there is additional reinforcement. Did ford fix the problem in '83/'84?
here is a pic of my '84:
it is the flange / lip right above the master cylinder??
btw, when the clutch goes to the floor when you are driving, it DOES suck
I'd to put on a new MC/SC 2weeks ago.. I had to drive home without a clutch.. starting from a total stop requires turning the truck off, shifting into granny, and hitting the starter
Last edited by bremen242; Nov 12, 2004 at 07:07 AM.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
If I recall, there were at least two plates that the clutch master went through. The reinforcement is added inside the cab, where it is tougher to see. I still had the problem on my 86. It would always grind the gears, especially reverse. Now it doesn't, but the synchros on 4th must be damaged, I can't rpm match to shift into 4th very well, but can every other gear. If I clutch it, it shifts fine.
Last edited by fellro86; Nov 12, 2004 at 07:22 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 237
Likes: 2
From: ipswich USA
My firewall is just plain rotted out. Both the firewall and the plate that holds the brake booster and clutch master are see through. This came to a crisis last winter, when I could not shift when plowing a parking lot. I made my own brackets on the inside and outside welded in. It has been okay, but I still feel it is temporary as the firewall /cowl is still rotting. I never had any cracks though. I think I have to cut the rotted area out and replace, either that or a new cab.
JWR
85 F250HD 4x4 460
JWR
85 F250HD 4x4 460
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
sounds like your hitting that point of either retirement or replacement. It gets to a point when what you have is no longer reasonably salvageable, and either the cab or the truck get replaced. If you have floorpan issues as well, a cab would be recommended, at least that's my opinion.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 1
From: Adams TN
sorry about making ya'll feel old
my truck has a large thin plate of sheet metal behind the master cylinder but thats factory.
does teh reinforcement kit go under the dash or under the hood?
my truck has a large thin plate of sheet metal behind the master cylinder but thats factory.
does teh reinforcement kit go under the dash or under the hood?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Hallettsville, Texas
The kit goes under the dash. 1/8", 1/4" & 5/16" drill bits. It will be easier if you have access to a right angle drill. Since you already have the clutch master cylinder, you may want to bolt the kit up with that and then mark your holes for mounting the plate to the firewall. If you are ordering the kit, it has step by step instructions on installation including the proper way to weld up and stop any cracks from progressing. As far as a recall from Ford, I don`t know, the instruction sheets I have are dated 7-86 so there could very well have been one. Something to look into. Ford should be paying for these problems, especially if they knew about it back before DT was born, but then again, that wasn`t all that long ago, lol! Now, what were we talking about?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
it goes under the dash, on the inside. If you think about it, that's the best place, it absorbs and spreads the pressure, rather than putting it on certain points like it would mounted to the engine side. Cosmetically it's better too, but that's secondary concern.
