Hello Stovebolters, I didn’t know if this is the place to ask this question? I’m doing a engine swap from my 1947 3100 half ton 216 to a 1955 2nd 235 engine. My question is how often do the original pressure plates go bad? I’m asking because I’m in the market for a new clutch kit, and they all seem to be on the expensive side. They look nothing like the one out of my 1947! Would it be dumb to just buy the 9inch clutch disk, pilot bushing and throw out barring? Or just buy the kit from LMC or Classic Parts. Thanks guys
I've had mine redone here. They do a great job at a reasonable rate. http://www.uniqueclutches.com/ Shipping will be high though and may make it not worth it. An old parts store like Napa should be able to get brand new pressure plates. They were used in a lot of vehicles and interchanged
Don
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery 1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
Check out NAPA . They sell Complete kits 10" or 9 1/8". My buddy just installed one and no problems. Prices are in $159-180 complete kit. Do it right once! I bought the 9 1/8" from Classic when they had a sale (Like this weekend)..I think I paid about $175. I love it so far. My 3 speed with 1959 235. Todd
I've been servicing clutches for close to 60 years. I've never attempted to change only the disc, and I've refused to even consider doing a job that way when a cheapskate customer insisted on it. Some of my competitors were willing to do that, and I was willing to let them deal with the comebacks and hassles that kind of a job caused. After a while, I also insisted that the flywheel needed to be resurfaced, as well as changing the clutch disc, pressure plate, throwout bearing and pilot bushing. There's no substitute for doing things the right way, the first time. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Jerry, Great point. Do not forget to service the Flywheel! If needed , a machine shop can take the tooth ring off and reverse it and resurface it. My local shop did it for a very fair price.
I installed this 10" clutch kit from RockAuto in my '47 a few years ago. It's residing between a 1955 235 and a SM420. A local transmission shop resurfaced the flywheel. A full 12V conversion has also been completed.
Throw out bearing and pilot bearing should be replaced while you are in there. Jerry, what's your favorite way to remove the pilot bearing? I usually use grease and the hydraulic method.
Don
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery 1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
I use a threading tap, (5/8-18, I believe) and just screw it into the pilot bushing until it bottoms out in the crankshaft counterbore. Once the tap bottoms out, keep turning and the bushing walks itself right out of the crank. Simple, easy, and the bushing is going to get trashed anyway. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Thanks for the info. I wasn’t sure if the pressure plate had to be identical as the original, because the pressure plates look so different from the aftermarket ones. I ordered the Luk 9” kit from NAPA, $149.w/10% off which was pretty cool. I was looking at $223 from another site. Glad I asked you guys. Also I had forgot to ask about the flywheel. I will have it resurfaced. Thanks for the great tips on removing the pilot bushing.
