The Ford Barn

mike42 · 07-05-2015, 05:47 AM

This is a very basic question, but I never pulled a trans from a closed drive system. What's the first thing you have to do ? Pull the whole rear axle ?

Thx...Mike

Walt Dupont--Me. · 07-05-2015, 06:21 AM

I'd rather pull the engine to change the clutch. Walt

slowforty · 07-05-2015, 07:26 AM

Take out the front seat
Remove the floor boards
I have an extra long flex brake line so i dont have to disconnect the line to slide back the rear end
Or you could pull the engine
Either way is ok
I just did not have an engine hoist

JWL · 07-05-2015, 07:45 AM

It might depend on how your shop is set up. Moving the rearend back is much faster than removing the engine if you have all the tools, facilities, and conditions available to do either job efficiently.

LOWRIDER · 07-05-2015, 07:51 AM

My 38 needs a flywheel ring gear so I may as well replace the clutch while I'm at it. I plan on pulling the engine when I get the ambition. Pulled a A/T out of a old Rambler that still had a closed driveline way back in the 60's when I was young and could move around. It was a PITA. Can't imagine doing one now. It's a major pain anymore getting up & down from the floor anymore.

larrys40 · 07-05-2015, 07:53 AM

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On a 40 I would pull the engine as if you have to resurface the flywheel the oil pan has to come down . The only thing I don't like about pulling the engine is the fact of sometimes you mess up hood alignment. In doing model A's to do a clutch it is much faster doing the rear and trans but on a '40 it is pretty straightforward and quick. You also don't have to muscle the trans up and out as you would doing the rear and trans

Just my recommendation .. Others may differ
Larry

JM 35 Sedan · 07-05-2015, 08:32 AM

If I am replacing a clutch, I prefer to pull the engine because many times the flywheel needs to be resurfaced, unless you happen to have a two piece truck oil pan that allows removal of flywheel. It has always been a nightmare for me to remove an oil pan with the engine in the car. If I am say just removing a transmission, I prefer to pull the rear down and roll it back to get the trans out.

Gumpy · 07-05-2015, 10:34 AM

Done it both ways but for me it is easier to pull the engine than move the axle,,,realignment is hard unless you have a rack

19Fordy · 07-05-2015, 10:56 AM

Mike 42, If you pull the engine you will be able to repaint the engine compartment and won't have to bleed the brakes.

Old Henry · 07-05-2015, 11:02 AM

Personally, I avoid pulling the engine like a plague. I prefer sliding the rear end back and dropping the oil pan if flywheel needs resurfaced. If you decide to do that here are the step by step instructions. Of course, to just remove the fly wheel you don't need to totally remove the oil pan, i.e. you don't have to drop the radius rods, just drop the pan down enough to get the flywheel off.

slowforty · 07-05-2015, 02:37 PM

On another note My 40 has been apart so many times that I dont have to fight with any fasteners. Now remembering how it goes back together is another story. Dont forget the cover on the U-joint!!

deuce_roadster · 07-05-2015, 03:40 PM

After restoring my 40 wagon, the new BCA throwout bearing lasted 7 miles before it sounded like a coffee can full of marbles. Yes, I had plenty of free play on the pedal. (New no longer equals good) Anyway, I pulled the engine. Left the hood on and removed the radiator, and grille. It was pretty easy since everything was fresh.

mike42 · 07-06-2015, 05:43 AM

Well.....no matter which way I go it'll be a pain in the butt I can see ! I think I'll have someone do it for me !

Thx very much

Mike

deuce_roadster · 07-06-2015, 09:39 AM

Mike42, try to get someone who has worked on flatheads before.

07-05-2015, 05:47 AM	#1
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,606	Replacing '40 Ford Clutch This is a very basic question, but I never pulled a trans from a closed drive system. What's the first thing you have to do ? Pull the whole rear axle ? Thx...Mike

07-05-2015, 06:21 AM	#2
Walt Dupont--Me. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gardiner Me. Posts: 4,200	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch I'd rather pull the engine to change the clutch. Walt

07-05-2015, 07:26 AM	#3
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,063	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch Take out the front seat Remove the floor boards I have an extra long flex brake line so i dont have to disconnect the line to slide back the rear end Or you could pull the engine Either way is ok I just did not have an engine hoist

07-05-2015, 07:45 AM	#4
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch It might depend on how your shop is set up. Moving the rearend back is much faster than removing the engine if you have all the tools, facilities, and conditions available to do either job efficiently.

07-05-2015, 07:51 AM	#5
LOWRIDER Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kingman Az. 86409 Posts: 419	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch My 38 needs a flywheel ring gear so I may as well replace the clutch while I'm at it. I plan on pulling the engine when I get the ambition. Pulled a A/T out of a old Rambler that still had a closed driveline way back in the 60's when I was young and could move around. It was a PITA. Can't imagine doing one now. It's a major pain anymore getting up & down from the floor anymore. __________________ Dan Kingman Az. 86409

07-05-2015, 07:53 AM	#6
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) On a 40 I would pull the engine as if you have to resurface the flywheel the oil pan has to come down . The only thing I don't like about pulling the engine is the fact of sometimes you mess up hood alignment. In doing model A's to do a clutch it is much faster doing the rear and trans but on a '40 it is pretty straightforward and quick. You also don't have to muscle the trans up and out as you would doing the rear and trans Just my recommendation .. Others may differ Larry

07-05-2015, 08:32 AM	#7
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,859	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch If I am replacing a clutch, I prefer to pull the engine because many times the flywheel needs to be resurfaced, unless you happen to have a two piece truck oil pan that allows removal of flywheel. It has always been a nightmare for me to remove an oil pan with the engine in the car. If I am say just removing a transmission, I prefer to pull the rear down and roll it back to get the trans out. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

07-05-2015, 10:34 AM	#8
Gumpy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sf bay area Posts: 1,464	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch *Done it both ways but for me it is easier to pull the engine than move the axle,,,realignment is hard unless you have a rack* __________________ "I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in Charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about". Quote by Henry Ford

07-05-2015, 10:56 AM	#9
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,971	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch Mike 42, If you pull the engine you will be able to repaint the engine compartment and won't have to bleed the brakes.

07-05-2015, 11:02 AM	#10
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch Personally, I avoid pulling the engine like a plague. I prefer sliding the rear end back and dropping the oil pan if flywheel needs resurfaced. If you decide to do that here are the step by step instructions. Of course, to just remove the fly wheel you don't need to totally remove the oil pan, i.e. you don't have to drop the radius rods, just drop the pan down enough to get the flywheel off. __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness Last edited by Old Henry; 07-05-2015 at 11:09 AM.*

07-05-2015, 02:37 PM	#11
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,063	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch On another note My 40 has been apart so many times that I dont have to fight with any fasteners. Now remembering how it goes back together is another story. Dont forget the cover on the U-joint!!

07-05-2015, 03:40 PM	#12
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,804	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch After restoring my 40 wagon, the new BCA throwout bearing lasted 7 miles before it sounded like a coffee can full of marbles. Yes, I had plenty of free play on the pedal. (New no longer equals good) Anyway, I pulled the engine. Left the hood on and removed the radiator, and grille. It was pretty easy since everything was fresh.

07-06-2015, 05:43 AM	#13
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,606	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch Well.....no matter which way I go it'll be a pain in the butt I can see ! I think I'll have someone do it for me ! Thx very much Mike

07-06-2015, 09:39 AM	#14
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,804	Re: Replacing '40 Ford Clutch Mike42, try to get someone who has worked on flatheads before.