Clamshell won’t close
 

Dropped the engine in my ‘29 yesterday and all well. So this morning decided to button up the u-joint housing and no go. New felts installed, lightly greased, but if I try to attach the clamshell it’s a no go - doesn’t want to close. Engine sitting correctly on its mountd so wondering what’s happened. Anybody out there experienced this? One solved, she’s ready to fire! Appreciate any input from more experienced Model A folks.

Bud

Re: Clamshell won’t close
 

Is the driveshaft bell snug to the well greased inner cup?


Years ago I has repro felts that were too thick, so I cut them thinner.

Re: Clamshell won’t close
 

Bud Man,

I always put the 2 bolts in that put the 2 halves together and snug them up first. Then push them forward and with tapered drifts you can line up the gaskets and pieces to get the 6 bolts around the circle started. Be sure to put a generous amount of grease in there. I try to get as much in there as I can while assembling the pieces.

Jerry

Re: Clamshell won’t close
 

I had a similar problem and the speedo gear was installed backwards on the end of the driveshaft. That post with pictures is one of the first subjects I posted on The Ford Barn.

Re: Clamshell won’t close
 

Tom,

The bell is probably >3/32" off the inner cup - not bearing against it, but given the engine is squarely on its mounts and the rear end has not been R and R'ed, I am at a loss why there would be that gap, and I don't know where the adjustment to close it would come from. The felts are a bit oversize, but not to the point where even eliminating them would make much of a difference here. Would increasing the thickness of the rearmost gasket be a solution?

Bud

Re: Clamshell won’t close
 

The rear spring may be putting a little rearward pressure on the rear axle, get a
ratchet strap and try pulling it forward a little.


Bob

Re: Clamshell won’t close
 

Times 2 what Bob said

Re: Clamshell won’t close
 

Earlier today, I installed two slightly thicker gaskets and that seems to have done the trip. If I detect any issues once it is running and driving, I will go the ratchet route to pull the axle in. I appreciate all the help!

Bud

Re: Clamshell won’t close
 

I just had that experience while installing a Synchronized transmission. Look at the end of the ujoint and see if it has been hitting the speedo gear. I am not sure the cause but that isn't good and will totally lock up a synchronized transmission. I cut about an 1/8 of an inch off the rear of the Ujoint and it slipped in easily. I also tucked the edges of the new seals into the grooves with a screwdriver so they didn't get squashed between the bells.