Good morning, Americans...it's Friday! I am going to start puling the tranny from my '46 and replace the clutch as well as turning the flywheel. Is anyone aware of any caveats that would impede my progress? Hidden bolts, etc. Also, is the flywheel surface flat or stepped? Any helpful info is appreciated.

John Bond
'46 1/2 Ton Restored
'05 F150 Lariat SCrew

 

Your probably well on your way by now if not already done. Anyway for my 2 cents worth you probably have the smooth surface flywheel. Usually the trucks came with a larger clutch than cars, and you shouldn't have the integrated bell housing on the block.
The trucks usually offered 2 or 3 sizes, 10, 11, and maybe the 9 1/2 inch, not sure on the last one. Also as you know you have the open drive shaft which is a blessing in itself. Anyway best of luck to you, one way or another you will find out once its apart.

 

5 Star,

I am normally a '60s and '70s kind of guy and this is my first dig into anything older. The process is very simple and it took me (and only me) less than 90 minutes to remove the tranny, clutch and flywheel. What I found afterward was disheartening. First, I need to let you know that, besides the clutch slipping in third gear (under power), I heard a loud bang and lots of clinging and clanging from underneath the car while traveling down the road (flatbed time). Turns out one of the six bolts holding the pressure plate to the flywheel was missing, thus the loud bang and subsequent noises. Additionally, the flywheel was aluminum and was shot. Apparently, the previous owner allowed the slippage to occur too long and hot-spotted the flywheel glazing it and creating dozens of cracks. Goodbye flywheel. No problem though; throught the magic of the internet, I was able to locate a steel wheel in Ohio from a reputable dealer. A new wheel is $320 and, even after the purchase price, shipping, and resurfacing, I will be out $120. The rest of the components I can purchase from several locations. I will probably use Mac's.

Lastly, the clutch was a 10". Does anyone have an opinion about disc size for the 1/2 ton pickup? Thanks and have a great day. John

 

As far as the disc size goes, I would venture to say that the 10 inch was the most popular or commonly used size. They did how ever use the 11 inch disc as well, these were usuall in the trucks with the 4 speed trannys.
Check the surface diameter of your neww flywheel and tou will know what the correct disc size should be.
Once you have the flywheel in place make sure that you torque the bolts to spec, very important. Its been awhile since I have done one, but do the bolts by chance have the holes drilled through the heads for wire to be threaded through each? This application will avoid the problem that you just went through. You might want to change the pilot bearing while your at it. The older ones were a brass bushing, while the newer ones are actual caged bearing type.
I usuall remove these by getting a dowl of wood the same size as the wnd of the input shaft of the transmission, fill the bearing hole with grease place the dowl into the bearing a hit with a haammer. The force of the grease will eject the bearing. One last note you may want to replace the pressure plate as well, that way you have a complete new setup. These clutches and pressure plates are available at Napa, if you can find a good parts man who will dig for you. Also your local New holland dealer which was at one time Ford Tractor Outlets, they also have some of the parts for the older Fords. Well good luck and let me know how you make out.