The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline The simplest of things (flywheel cover)

Had a super frustrating hour under the truck yesterday evening. Just needed to do some looking at the clutch situation to determine what I might need for parts, and if my rear main needed to be part of the job.

Had a a little frustration getting the clutch cover removed. Not too bad. However, when I was done and wanted to button things back up…that went really bad. Ended up removing the vertical piece, to get enough room to get the “pan” piece slid in place. Can’t for the life of me get the vertical piece back now. Seems like I’m close enough to get bolts started, but they won’t.

I suspect one or more of the following is true:

1) The PO didn’t have the two pieces oriented correctly…which goes first, which goes on top of which.

2) The rear motor mounts have settled to the point that clearances are tighter than they should be.

3) I’m an idiot and dealing with 4 stupid bolts is just beyond my capability.

Thumbed through the shop manual before bed last night. Hoping to find a picture of the cover and how things sit relative to each other or a description of which order they come off and go back on.

Any guidance is appreciated. ‘Twas a very humbling evening.

If you believe the mounts have settled, can you just jack up the tranny a little bit to help get some clearance?

Yes, perhaps.

But before I do, want to be 100% certain which piece goes on first and such. I ~assume~ the vertical piece isn’t normally removed.

That’s how I dimly remember it from a 235 I pulled from a Task force truck in the past.

The vertical piece goes in first, two bolts with star washers, like the side cover bolts.

The housing lower cover goes on next. But as a heads up, there were a couple of versions so you want to make sure yours goes with the vertical cover. If there is a mismatch, you will know it as the lower cover will not fit nicely in place.

I just pulled my clutch assembly apart this past weekend. The lower pan on my'58 has slots for the 2 most rear bolts, the forward ones have just holes. The vertical piece came out last.

Sheet metal parts are not always a precision fit. If you slot the holes a little, nobody will sentence you to 30 days in the electric chair!

I recall that the lower pan on my '51 has slots on the rear bolts also. Makes it easier to install, with the bolts started in place, then slip the pan in place and install he other two bolts.
Hopefully I can avoid the electric chair.

That’s what I ended up doing a few days ago. In a fit of rage. With a step bit.

Best I can tell, the parts are just all bent and beat up. Vertical piece wouldn’t go high enough to get holes lined up.

I have new motor mounts in my 1954 3600, and when I removed the dust cover it was necessary for me to loosen the motor mount bolts and jack/ lift the rear of the motor up using a jack under the transmission. In my case the excess rubber on the motor mounts was the issue but I can see how "settling" can cause a problem.