Newbie with a BIG question
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Newbie with a BIG question
Just bought my son a 1985 F150 Custom/XL/Lariat XLT 4.9L I-6 1BBL 4 speed, But heres the thing, it runs great but it will not shift into gear. The guy we bought it from say's it's the clutch. I am praying to god that's what it is. My question is do ya'll think that's what it may be? Or is it my worst nightmare and it's the tranny? Either way how much is this going to cost me to have it fixed? the guy I bought it from said no more then 300 bucks if it's the clutch. I have called around and I am getting quotes of 500 upwards. Any answer will be GREATLY apprecited.
Thanks
Chris
P.S. I'm sorry if I put this in the wrong forum I wasn't sure where it goes.
Thanks
Chris
P.S. I'm sorry if I put this in the wrong forum I wasn't sure where it goes.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
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From: Billings Montana
If it's the clutch, and it most likely is, it's not that big a problem. If the truck is a 2 wheel drive, it's gonna be a lot easier then if it's a 4x4. A quality clutch should run you about $200 for everything you'll need. But one word of advise, have the flywheel ground. If you don't, the new clutch will chatter on the old glazed over flywheel and you'll have to take it apart again to fix it.
Another thing, if your truck has a one piece rear main seal, replace it while the tranny is out, it's just good insurance.
Another thing, if your truck has a one piece rear main seal, replace it while the tranny is out, it's just good insurance.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Those old four speeds are fairly bulletproof.
Did you try shifting it with the engine off, can you get it into any gear that way?
Good advice from big hoss. It is some work, but fairly simple. If you have any mechanical inclination at all, you and your son can do the job yourselves. Just get a clutch alignment tool. Come back here if you run into any difficulty.
Did you try shifting it with the engine off, can you get it into any gear that way?
Good advice from big hoss. It is some work, but fairly simple. If you have any mechanical inclination at all, you and your son can do the job yourselves. Just get a clutch alignment tool. Come back here if you run into any difficulty.
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Thanks for the advise. I just found out today that my son's friend's grandfather owned his own shop for 20 some years and went with him to where the truck was. He looked it ALL over and said that the truck is in EXCELLENT condition and it is only the clutch. The grandfather told my son that if he buys the parts he will fix it for him free of charge!!! Sweet deal huh.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
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From: Billings Montana
That's a smoking deal there. The thing about a clutch job is just the labor that's involved. Changing a clutch involves taking the tranny out, re-surfacing the flywheel, putting the clutch back in and stabbing the tranny back in the truck. If this guy is gonna do it for free, your gonna save about $300-400 in labor.
Some things you might wanna do to make it a complete job is get new flywheel bolts and pressure plate bolts. ARP sells them and I think they are under $40 for both. The old bolts will be stretched and won't torque down evenly like new ones will. If the u-joints even look worn, change them. They won't effect the clutch operation, but the driveline is gonna be out anyway so you might as well change them. Finally, drain the gear lube and put in some fresh stuff. God only knows when the old stuff was changed last and if the P.O was anything like my Dad is, it'll still be factory stuff. (my Dad doesn't seem to think you need to change the gear lube)
Dan
Some things you might wanna do to make it a complete job is get new flywheel bolts and pressure plate bolts. ARP sells them and I think they are under $40 for both. The old bolts will be stretched and won't torque down evenly like new ones will. If the u-joints even look worn, change them. They won't effect the clutch operation, but the driveline is gonna be out anyway so you might as well change them. Finally, drain the gear lube and put in some fresh stuff. God only knows when the old stuff was changed last and if the P.O was anything like my Dad is, it'll still be factory stuff. (my Dad doesn't seem to think you need to change the gear lube)
Dan
