Installing a clutch and flywheel into an 81 with a Saginaw 3 speed

[mikeoverland]

Hello all,

It has been a minute since I have posted anything here. My father passed away about 6 months ago and I buried my mom today. They were married for 61 years and the end for both of them was not pleasant to witness.

I have to replace the clutch in my 81 C10. I have the clutch kit (disk, bearing, pressure plate and throwout) AND a new pressure plate since the one that is in the truck is probably original and has has a VERY hard life. I *should* have done this when I put the new transmission in but I was lazy (and broke) and I decided to take a shortcut. Now I have to pull everything back out to get to the afore mentioned clutch. (NEVER take s shortcut). I have never ever installed a clutch and I'm looking for some advice. I have a good torque wrench and a brand new bottle of red locktite. I also think the the springs on the clutch plate go towards the transmission. What else will I need to know? Please, oh please give me any advice that you have. I have sad before and I'll say again that you guys have forgotten more about this type off stuff than I'll ever know.

Thanks as always

Mike Overland
Leon Springs Tx and owner of the 1981 C10 known as "The basket case"

 

[mikeoverland]

Oh heck! I just realized that I said pressure plate twice. I've got the clutch kit and a new FLYWHEEl since the old fiywheel is probably past saving and is suffering a terminal case of FUBAR!--mike

 

[Chevy 88]

"the end for both of them was not pleasant to witness"

I assume that you would not share this if you did not want to discuss it.

 

[Turbo4whl]

I have never ever installed a clutch and I'm looking for some advice.

You need a pilot shaft installed to hold the disc centered when you bolt up the pressure plate. Old pilot shaft (input shaft) from another "like" transmission is handy.

Not having a spare pilot shaft, you can get a plastic dummy shaft to hold the disc centered.

When you go to install the trans, make sure you have shifted it into a gear. That way when you go to slide it in, you can spin the rear yoke to make the splines line up on the disc.

 

[WFO]

Don't forget a new bronze pilot bushing.

 

[Grit dog]

"the end for both of them was not pleasant to witness"

I assume that you would not share this if you did not want to discuss it - so... What part was not pleasant?

Do these events cause you to become distracted? Do people comment that you seem distracted?

Do you have any concerns about your ability to proceed as normal without any adverse effects from these events?

Really?

 

[Grit dog]

Mike, sorry to hear about the loss of your parents and what was/is I’m sure a very tough time in life….
Regarding the new clutch, you already got most of the key advice. Especially the alignment tool
Always new pilot bearing/bushing and new throw out bearing.
If hydraulic I’d just replace that now if it’s also original.
The rest is pretty straightforward disassembly and reassembly.

 

[idahovette]

Mike, echoing Grit's remarks .....so sorry. You've done the trans removal once already, so not much more and you can do it!!!

 

[mikeoverland]

You need a pilot shaft installed to hold the disc centered when you bolt up the pressure plate. Old pilot shaft (input shaft) from another "like" transmission is handy.

Not having a spare pilot shaft, you can get a plastic dummy shaft to hold the disc centered.

When you go to install the trans, make sure you have shifted it into a gear. That way when you go to slide it in, you can spin the rear yoke to make the splines line up on the disc.

I didn't even think of keeping it in gear! when I put the new transmission in I had the thing in neutral and had a lot of fun stabbing the transmission into the clutch assembly. big "oops" on that one. Any thoughts on getting the pilot bushing out of the crankshaft? I have heard that you fill the cavity with grease and then hammer a bolt into the hole and hydraulic pressure will push the bearing out..... Has anyone ever done that and been successful? I have heard to use grease, bread and a buddy of mine said to just jerk the inline 6 out and put in a built 454 that is set up with a manual transmission crank.......... I think that the 454 option *would* be the best but I kid of like the inline 6. (at this point I have come to the conclusion that I need to go to the hospital because I must be sick. Who wouldn't want a built 454 in a square body???)

mike

 

[mikeoverland]

"the end for both of them was not pleasant to witness"

I assume that you would not share this if you did not want to discuss it.

dad died from complications of a strake and mom dies of complications from dementia. (funny story). Before dad passed and was still kind of all there he asked me when his son, Michael, was going to come and visit him. Since I'm the only son I said that I was there. My dad looked at me and said: "not you the Michael who is putting that stupid truck back together"...
I fell out of my chair laughing and I will hold that memory asx one of the great ones with my dad. Dad wasn't for fixing an old vehicle since he always like having the newest vehicle BUT (before he could afford to buy a new car ever other year) he would fix what he had. I would sit and watch him for hours and hours working on the family car and I would never say a word. The only thing that my dad ever "showed" me was how to install a fuel filter onto an e2mc carburetor in an 87 Buick Regal. How was *I* supposed to know that there was a plastic gasket that had to be replaced??????? (I've learned a lot since that day)

Mike

 

[mikeoverland]

Don't forget a new bronze pilot bushing.

that's in the kit I think. Before I take the transmission out I'll check to make sure that I have all of the parts.

Mike

 

[idahovette]

Your clutch kit may have a plastic input to center the clutch disc??.......also Great story about your Dad......memories!!!

 

[Dejure]

The important stuff first So sorry for your loss.

YEP on the pilot shaft alignment tool. It was cheap, and life changing (though I did teach myself how to use certain words before I got it)

I've worked my butt off taking out pilot bushings the hammer and chisel way. Others say, just get an iron dowel the diameter of the hole, fill the hole with grease, pound the grease in, which pushes the pilot out via hydraulic pressure.

Trying to remove an old pilot with a small cold chisel is a great way to learn why early tools were made from bronze. That is, how tough bronze is compared to straight brass. Guess there's a reason boats and ships use bronze props.

 

[Ricko1966]

On a bushing the easy way is screw a tap into it,keep screwing the tap in . It will bottom in the crank,as you continue to turn the tap the bushing will walk up the threads on the tap.The tap can't go in further so the bushing walks out. On a bearing stuff as many pieces of wet paper towel in behind the bearing as you can, get a bolt that fits in the bearing fairly close,drive the bolt in with a hammer,push in more soaking wet paper towel,again with the bolt and hammer. The wet paper towels will create hydraulic pressure behind the bearing and push it out. If you do not have a pilot tool find a long bolt or dowel that fits your pilot bearing snug. Wrap a section of the bolt with masking tape several layers until it fits snug inside the clutch disc. This will center the disc to the pilot bearing. Masking tape us so thin it will be accurate within a few thousandths,which is fine.

 

[xm20k]

As Rick said a tap will act as a puller if you have one that size and if not pack it full of silly putty, bread, grease heck even chewing gum I've seen people use all sorts of things, than use a piece of brass or steel rod that just fits and pound away add more of whatever you are using as it compresses to keep the rod from bottoming out on the crank.


Sorry for your loss, remember the good times and keep yourself busy it gets easier.