Redrilling the flywheel for 11inch clutch

[Old Redneck]

I know the tranny has to come up through the floor how much trouble is it to get the flywheel out. I am not going to pull the engine. With high speed gears in the rear end the 9 inch clutch can't take it. Wish it would.

[Old Redneck]

This is a 40 Ford sorry about that

[JSeery]

Two questions, first are you SURE you want an 11 inch clutch and second are you sure it will clear your bellhousing?

Before going that route I would look into increasing your current 9 inch spring pressure. Might talk to Ft Wayne about it.

[RalphM]

Might be more cost effective to find another flywheel.
I'm sure they are out there.

[19Fordy]

Assuming you leave the stock 85 HP engine and transmission in the car I doubt if "high speed gears" will be a problem for your 9 inch clutch. I don't think the weak link in the 40 drive train is the clutch. I always thought it was the transmission.
By the way, what exactly do you mean by high speed gears? Most 40 Fords have 3:78 rears. What ratio are yours? Keep us posted.

[JSeery]

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Just to add to what I posted, a lot of guys race with 9 inch clutches, it should hold fine if it has the proper clamping pressure and everything is working correctly.

[rotorwrench]

If I ever put a larger clutch in one of the early Fords, I wouldn't use larger than a 10-inch. The clutch or pressure plate may have had spring problems or some other problem that caused slippage. The 9-inch generally works fine on all but the heaviest of vehicles.

[Old Redneck]

3:54 I will talk to Fort Wayne. That would save a lot of work nd money also

[V8COOPMAN]

Plus, you've gotta drop the pan to get the flywheel out, and that ain't no fun! DD

[my4dv8]

We drove for 20 years with std. 9" clutch and 3.54 gears in our 37. I think you are on the right track to repair what you have. Of course changing a flywheel means dropping the sump.

[bobH]

I've got an 11 inch flywheel he can have, free. That ought to say something... I'd NEVER use it.

[scooder]

And if you went with an 11" clutch the pan has to be removed to get the clutch in and out. Unless you have the special truck pan with the removable rear section, with this you can swap flywheels and 11" clutches with the pan in place.
I will also add, I agree, a 9" clutch should be ample for your combination.
Martin.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by bobH

I've got an 11 inch flywheel he can have, free. That ought to say something... I'd NEVER use it.

I also have an 11" flywheel that I never plan to use. As already suggested, a beefed up 9" or 10" would be much better than an 11". Which ever clutch you go with, most likely your flywheel will need be removed and resurfaced.
Also wondering which cluster and main drive gear you have now in your transmission? If you have a 28 tooth cluster and 16 tooth MDG now, you could get better 1st and 2nd gear ratios for starting out from a dead stop by going to a 29 tooth cluster and at 15 tooth MDG. This would make things much easier on the clutch when using 3.54 rear gears.

[vtwinsideways]

Curious because I have one, what are the drawbacks to the 11 inch set-up?

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by vtwinsideways

Curious because I have one, what are the drawbacks to the 11 inch set-up?

If you're driving an 11 inch clutch and are unaware of the issues guess they don't apply to you! LOL

A lot of people find them more difficult to drive. They also have a negative effect on performance if that is of interest to you.

[Old Redneck]

You fellows made me feel much better. I am going to stay with the 9 inch and rebuild it.

[flatheadmurre]

Check if the surface of the flywheel is glazed from clutch slipping !
If so it has to come out and be resurfaced or you burn the new setup.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

I have all my pressure plates in Wayne Ind. Most of the time I have heavier springs installed in the 9in. pressure plate. Walt

[PeteVS]

Have you considered a 29 tooth cluster gear set in the trans? These are "truck" gears which will give you lower speed in first which should be a lot easier on the clutch.