Im going to be changing out my clutch real soon and was woundering if it is necessary to replace the DMF since it cant be machined?
Thanks in advance
-Kevin

 

You may be able to find a NIB somewhere (ebay) for a lot less than Ford sells them for....... I would like to suggest you keep the DMFW setup it was designed to work with our truck engine and the ZF trans...........

 

I was planning on keeping the DMF setup. A local maching shop can get me one for $700. Are there any better prices out there?

 

I did an Ebay search......

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/items/Parts-Accessories___dual-mass-flywheel_W0QQ_nkwZdualQ20massQ20flywheel

 

you can get a complete luk clutch setup and flywheel for about 1/2 of the cost of the pos dual mass flywheel, and it will last forever.

 

oh no you can't do that! because the zf wasnt designed for that it will blow the tranny if you run it be warned. even though ive seen tons run forever with tons of miles on them and they are fine. LOL

 

It may not blow the tranny, but you SAH will know it's there by the gear rollover noise..

 

Or you can go the route I did and use a standard SMF 6.9 flywheel and the clutch, PP & TOB from Autozone for half the cost of the LUK setup. Mine is working great. That makes it 1/4 the cost of the DMF setup...

As for gear rollover - I've got a 5 word solution for you - USE MORE AND THICKER OIL (2 gallons of 15W50 synthetic works wonders)

 

Thanks for all the help. Hopefully with in the next couple weeks i can decide what clutch i am going to do. Thanks again

 

I don't think the DMF makes a difference either way. I'm getting ready to replace the clutch and rebuild the trans in my 97 F350 PSD service truck with only 110k miles on it. I think if the clutch worked better, the synchros would have lasted. The LUK conversions I've driven shift so much easier, the clutch is smoother which has a big effect on the longevity of the transmission.

Jason

 

Thanks for your input.

 

Well, I had the LUK SMF & Clutch kit installed last week (May 2008) - have 30 miles on new system.
1) LUK kit is $575, Labor was $400 - but unfortunately the trans shop didn't inform me of "their" kit cost until ready to install - their supplier sold the kit to them for $800, my cost was $975.... well they now get their parts elsewhere but it still cost me $1475.

2) Immediately I noticed louder gear rattle - at one point idling through a gas station in 2nd gear - it was so loud everyone was looking to see if truck was coming apart – so I took it back to the shop & called LUK tech support.

My email & response with LUK:

Comments:
1993 Ford F-250 Diesel (7.3 non Turbo) - just had dual mass system replaced with your solid mass flywheel/clutch kit.

Now, after transmission engaged and rolling at a crawl, the transmission is making a terrible loud noise like the gears are coming apart ...

Did the trans shop do something wrong on the install ?
Had NO noise before replacement, just clutch breaking loose (200k miles)

LUK Response:

-----Original Message-----
From: Vajda, Gabe ND/VYC-TQ
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 9:26 AM
To: Ray
Subject: FW: TCall 152721

Ray, you are inducing gear rattle ( gear rattle is harmless ) by driving that way. Do you need to operate the truck like that?

Once again the gear rattle is harmless and results from the heavy duty solid flywheel conversion.

If you do not lug the engine the trans should be fairly quiet. If you do need to lug the engine the trans noise will not harm anything.

The long travel, series dampened disc does not do as good a job as the DM flywheel eliminating noise, however it is much more durable and less expensive.

So, you can "drive around the noise" by not lugging the engine and you have a heavy duty set up that costs less money.
---------------------------------------

3) The LUK SMF kit is MUCH easier to operate; this new system is easier than my GT Mustang. Since I’m stuck with this setup, I’ll just have to change my driving habits around the low RPM 2nd gear “lugging” as they call it. But with a 4.10 rear gear, 1st gear is mostly never used and I idle around gas stations & such in 2nd – thus generating the diesel harmonic trans chatter. I like the above post comment about using thicker synthetic oil instead of specified ATF… but not sure if this is a safe long-term option ??

4) So hindsight – since I’ll never tow something that would exceed the DMF capabilities and the original setup lasted 200k miles, I should’ve gone with an DMF replacement – yes it’s expensive but if I can get another 200k miles – I prefer the quiet non-clatter operation. LUK said the chatter is harmless, but man it’s very loud and annoying – sounds harmful to me.

 

I just did a conversion on a 1995 powerstroke. If I take a picture of the old DMF, you may feel better about the gear clatter. The thing was utterly shredded. The springs just fell apart.

While driving the truck I did notice increased gear clatter at low speeds and low RPM like you describe. Sounds almost like a bunch of bolts rattling in the oil pan. Gear clatter in neutral and clutch engaged is noticeable as well.

If you are worried about damaging your transmission, consider the fact that ford and GM have both since abandoned the DMF and dodge never used it in their diesels at all.

The SMF was also a bit lighter than the DMF, and makes shifting quick yet still forgiving if you are not perfect with your timing. I must say, the truck drove very well after the conversion.

 

change your tranny fluid to redline mtf it will make a difference compared to the atf

 

I have a friend that was a ford trans tech and service manager for 30 years he said they would change to 90 weight at the dealers for customers that used their trucks hardeven in the little rangers.