How difficult to replace clutch? Block plate?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
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From: NJ
How difficult to replace clutch? Block plate?
I've never done a clutch before. I believe my truck needs a new pilot bearing as it makes a whining/crunchy noise when accelerating through a certain RPM range in each gear. Worse when under load, accelerating very gently it will hardly make any noise thorugh that RPM range. Pilot bearing also howls a little. Sound like an accurate diagnosis?
It's an '83 F-150 with a 302, 4 speed and NP208. What is the best way to go about replacing the clutch? Is it best to unmount the tranny and transfer case and pull them back or is it better to just pull the engine out and do it that way?
Also, whoever put this engine in my truck did not install a block plate on it. I imagine that's why the bearings have gone bad. What type of block plate wil lwork with this engine adn tranny combo? I have one in the garage which I believe is for a small bell C4. If that would work great, if not, let me know what I need to get. I definitely want to keep the mud and dirt out of the bellhousing.
It's an '83 F-150 with a 302, 4 speed and NP208. What is the best way to go about replacing the clutch? Is it best to unmount the tranny and transfer case and pull them back or is it better to just pull the engine out and do it that way?
Also, whoever put this engine in my truck did not install a block plate on it. I imagine that's why the bearings have gone bad. What type of block plate wil lwork with this engine adn tranny combo? I have one in the garage which I believe is for a small bell C4. If that would work great, if not, let me know what I need to get. I definitely want to keep the mud and dirt out of the bellhousing.
Last edited by cadunkle; Dec 14, 2005 at 03:28 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: South Central Boise
Where do you live? A local place will do a clutch replacement for $500. You have to have the time, space, money, tools, and knowledge to do this. Do some research, rent/buy a manual that tells you how.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 26
From: NJ
$500 is way too much... That's about $400 labor.
I have a 2.5 car heated garage I use for my projects. I have my truck, two Galaxies. One of which I'm currently replacing the front clip (deer) and the other of which is undergoing a swap from the 6-banger to a 460. Also have a lifted '78 Bronco I've been helping my buddy with.
My most pressing project I've been working on for a while now is a '78 Mustang which I swapped the V6 for a 302 which I also built for him. That's operational and runs like a bat outta hell. Just gotta finish up some wiring and interior stuff, patch up his f'ed up interior wiring harness, mount gauges, and some other minor things.
I think I know a thing or two about working on cars. I have plenty of tools, and whenever I don't have a tool I need... Well I love buying tools. There is no greater investment than good tools. I do not fret over spending money on tools. I'd rather take the $400 labor I save from paying someone else to do a shoddy job and putting that money into some more tools or into one of my projects.
Space, well I don't have a ton of space but I make do with the space I have and all the projects I work on. I juggle things as need be and the projects with the highest priority get done first. First priority is getting the good front clip on my one '68 and the heat fixed so I have something to drive over the couple days it may take to do the clutch in the truck. I expect by Saturday I'll have the Galaxie good as new and come warmer weather I'll get it painted.
Now as for the money part... Yeah, you really need lots of money if you're gonna be paying someone else to do every little thing on your vehicle. I don't have that kind of money to blow on shoddy work. I do everything myself so I know it's done right. Last time I had work done at a shop was a brake job that was not done properly. I do not trust other people to work on my vehicles, especially dealership mechanics who take shortcuts anywhere they can at the expense of my vehicle (I know several dealership mechanics). Anyhow, I'd rather save some money and buy some tools, parts for myvehicles, or just go out and have a nice dinner.
I hate people who's answer to everything is to pay someone else to do it. That's ridiculous. It just so happens that in the country I live (United States) the vast majority of vehicles are ordered with automatic transmissions. I’ve owned 4 vehicles with manual transmissions but have never had to replace the clutch, pilot bearing, or throwout bearing until now. I know how a manual transmission works, I've seen one apart, I can double-clutch, shift without the clutch, and I prefer to drive unsynchronized transmissions... but like I said, I've never had to deal with this one aspect of a manual transmission before. That's why I'm here, asking for some advice or tips that may save me some time or aggravation. I'd certainly call that research, but apparently you do not.
I know how to do a clutch job, physically, as in the engine and transmission parts, but I do not know what is necessarily the easiest way of doing that with this truck. That's why I'm here asking about it.
As far as time... I never have time. I wish I did. For the past 2 or 3 months I've done nothing but work on cars and trucks in every moment of "free" time that I have. Yesterday was the first time in 2 months I've had to work on ym own vehicles. I spent last night and tonight pulling the front end off of one of my Galaxie's. I called it an early night when I finished and got the car out of the garage. Tomorrow my goal is to pull the other Galaxie's front end apart and Friday my goal is to have it back together. Saturday is my deadline I am imposing upon myself to have that done. When that is done I will have the Galaxie to drive so I can work on my truck. That will take as long as it takes. Then when that is done I'm straight back to working on other people's vehicles probably for another month. Then the hardcore work begins on the Galaxie that is getting the 460 and I'll have to kick it into overdrive to have that car done in time for the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals.
Meanwhile my one buddy is frustrated that I've been spending all my time adn the garage has been booked on other people's vehicles and it's been forever since he could do any real projects on his own vehicles. So somewhere along the line I have to fit his stuff in. He's also looking for a car as he now wants a classic car in addition to his trucks (speaking of which, if anyone wants to buy a '78 Bronco, lifted, 38.5" GroundHawgs, 351M, T-18, NP208... let me know, he's selling that so he can get a car). So that's another project coming up.
Point being that I have no time for anything. I make time for what needs to be done and arrange everything else as best I can to please everyone so we can get all the projects done. My truck needs a new pilot bearing, so that is now at the top of the priority list. Since this is a task I’ve not done before I am finishing one of my Galaxies before I start that so I have something that's nice and reliable to drive.
Anyhow, it would be nice if you would be helpful and give me some tips. Either that or keep your generic poser shade tree mechanic remarks to yourself.
I have a 2.5 car heated garage I use for my projects. I have my truck, two Galaxies. One of which I'm currently replacing the front clip (deer) and the other of which is undergoing a swap from the 6-banger to a 460. Also have a lifted '78 Bronco I've been helping my buddy with.
My most pressing project I've been working on for a while now is a '78 Mustang which I swapped the V6 for a 302 which I also built for him. That's operational and runs like a bat outta hell. Just gotta finish up some wiring and interior stuff, patch up his f'ed up interior wiring harness, mount gauges, and some other minor things.
I think I know a thing or two about working on cars. I have plenty of tools, and whenever I don't have a tool I need... Well I love buying tools. There is no greater investment than good tools. I do not fret over spending money on tools. I'd rather take the $400 labor I save from paying someone else to do a shoddy job and putting that money into some more tools or into one of my projects.
Space, well I don't have a ton of space but I make do with the space I have and all the projects I work on. I juggle things as need be and the projects with the highest priority get done first. First priority is getting the good front clip on my one '68 and the heat fixed so I have something to drive over the couple days it may take to do the clutch in the truck. I expect by Saturday I'll have the Galaxie good as new and come warmer weather I'll get it painted.
Now as for the money part... Yeah, you really need lots of money if you're gonna be paying someone else to do every little thing on your vehicle. I don't have that kind of money to blow on shoddy work. I do everything myself so I know it's done right. Last time I had work done at a shop was a brake job that was not done properly. I do not trust other people to work on my vehicles, especially dealership mechanics who take shortcuts anywhere they can at the expense of my vehicle (I know several dealership mechanics). Anyhow, I'd rather save some money and buy some tools, parts for myvehicles, or just go out and have a nice dinner.
I hate people who's answer to everything is to pay someone else to do it. That's ridiculous. It just so happens that in the country I live (United States) the vast majority of vehicles are ordered with automatic transmissions. I’ve owned 4 vehicles with manual transmissions but have never had to replace the clutch, pilot bearing, or throwout bearing until now. I know how a manual transmission works, I've seen one apart, I can double-clutch, shift without the clutch, and I prefer to drive unsynchronized transmissions... but like I said, I've never had to deal with this one aspect of a manual transmission before. That's why I'm here, asking for some advice or tips that may save me some time or aggravation. I'd certainly call that research, but apparently you do not.
I know how to do a clutch job, physically, as in the engine and transmission parts, but I do not know what is necessarily the easiest way of doing that with this truck. That's why I'm here asking about it.
As far as time... I never have time. I wish I did. For the past 2 or 3 months I've done nothing but work on cars and trucks in every moment of "free" time that I have. Yesterday was the first time in 2 months I've had to work on ym own vehicles. I spent last night and tonight pulling the front end off of one of my Galaxie's. I called it an early night when I finished and got the car out of the garage. Tomorrow my goal is to pull the other Galaxie's front end apart and Friday my goal is to have it back together. Saturday is my deadline I am imposing upon myself to have that done. When that is done I will have the Galaxie to drive so I can work on my truck. That will take as long as it takes. Then when that is done I'm straight back to working on other people's vehicles probably for another month. Then the hardcore work begins on the Galaxie that is getting the 460 and I'll have to kick it into overdrive to have that car done in time for the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals.
Meanwhile my one buddy is frustrated that I've been spending all my time adn the garage has been booked on other people's vehicles and it's been forever since he could do any real projects on his own vehicles. So somewhere along the line I have to fit his stuff in. He's also looking for a car as he now wants a classic car in addition to his trucks (speaking of which, if anyone wants to buy a '78 Bronco, lifted, 38.5" GroundHawgs, 351M, T-18, NP208... let me know, he's selling that so he can get a car). So that's another project coming up.
Point being that I have no time for anything. I make time for what needs to be done and arrange everything else as best I can to please everyone so we can get all the projects done. My truck needs a new pilot bearing, so that is now at the top of the priority list. Since this is a task I’ve not done before I am finishing one of my Galaxies before I start that so I have something that's nice and reliable to drive.
Anyhow, it would be nice if you would be helpful and give me some tips. Either that or keep your generic poser shade tree mechanic remarks to yourself.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 0
From: South Central Boise
Whoa hot tempered gal! Don't get your undies in a bunch! I don't know you, I don't know what you can do, I don't know what your favorite color is! You didn't really ask anything 42323476 people haven't asked before. I think the best way would be to "unmount" the tcase and tranny. I think a blocking cover from a '83 F-150 with a 302, 4 speed and NP208 might work. Check the salvage yards. Be nice on this forum or you will be banned. It is a family site and we help each other out, not shout and call names. Nice essay though.
Psot some pics too. I would like to see your projects. Any pics on your buds bronco?
Psot some pics too. I would like to see your projects. Any pics on your buds bronco?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 26
From: NJ
Sorry, I just get frustrated when I come to a forum looking for answers and someone pulls out the "If you have to ask you probably shouldnt' be doing the job yourself" card.
Anyway, since none the two yard I frequent don't have any early '80s F-150 with the T-18 I'm curious if it shares the block plate with anything else. Particularly a small bell C4 pattern, as I have one of those in the garage. The last thing I feel like doing is pulling an engine and tranny apart and removing a flywheel in 10* weather. So for me it's worthwhile if what I have doesn't work to get something off eBay and probably pay a little more than I would at one of my local yards.
Here is the '78 Bronco for sale. It needs a new windshield and a new rear driveshshaft ($200 at AdvanceAutoParts). Truck also come with a newer set of 38.5 GroundHawgs to replace the ones that are currently on it.
Here is the Mustang I've been working on.
The waste oil heater I built to heat the garage.
My Galaxies.
The beast that's going into the red Galaxie.
So that the jist of what I've been working on for the past while.
Anyway, since none the two yard I frequent don't have any early '80s F-150 with the T-18 I'm curious if it shares the block plate with anything else. Particularly a small bell C4 pattern, as I have one of those in the garage. The last thing I feel like doing is pulling an engine and tranny apart and removing a flywheel in 10* weather. So for me it's worthwhile if what I have doesn't work to get something off eBay and probably pay a little more than I would at one of my local yards.
Here is the '78 Bronco for sale. It needs a new windshield and a new rear driveshshaft ($200 at AdvanceAutoParts). Truck also come with a newer set of 38.5 GroundHawgs to replace the ones that are currently on it.
Here is the Mustang I've been working on.
The waste oil heater I built to heat the garage.
My Galaxies.
The beast that's going into the red Galaxie.
So that the jist of what I've been working on for the past while.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
I find it easier to pull the engine to replace the clutch(on a 4wd anyway), than to lay underneath getting my chest compressed by a tranny/t-case. I am not quite familiar with the term "block plate" I assume you mean the metal gasket type thing between the engine and tranny. It should fit, if it came from one 302, it will go on another. I use the same block plate on my 67 mustang with a 351w/toploader that I was using when it still had the C4. I think the only difference would be a removable bottom section to access the converter bolts.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 26
From: NJ
There are different block plates for different transmissions. The small and large bellhousings have different block plates, as does the smaller Mustang II bellhousing. Any 302 block plate should bolt up to the block, so you're correct on that, but the catch is that it may not cover all of the bellhousing that hangs below the bottom of the block and you would ahve to drill holes in it for the starter location on the different bellhousing. If it were too small (small bell C4 plate on a large bell C4) it would not do it's job of keeping trash out of the bellhousing area. I suppose I could use my small bell C4 block plate and if it doesn't cover the whole bellhousing I could just weld up some sheet metal to cover the rest. Or if need be I could just make my own. Having to fabricate things will make it take lnoger though, so I'd prefer not to.
I have a feeling too that it amy be easier to just yank the engine out. It's only two bolts and a couple wires, and popping the rad out of course. Would certianly give me a lot mroe room to work on it. I suppose I have a few days yet to decide which way I want to do it.
I have a feeling too that it amy be easier to just yank the engine out. It's only two bolts and a couple wires, and popping the rad out of course. Would certianly give me a lot mroe room to work on it. I suppose I have a few days yet to decide which way I want to do it.
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