Replace clutch when swap out transmission?

[Steve Fehniger]

Ford Barn members, We are preparing to swap the transmission out in our '33 pickup. Would you consider replacing the clutch (with about 2100 miles on it) at the same time? If so, what kind of clutch would you recommend? I heard about a newer style but admittedly not familiar with it. Thanks in advance for your input. Steve & Mike

[chap52]

That is not a lot of miles...but, if it were me I would replace anything that I could get to during the process, throw-out bearing include.
But I am old and thinking about doing it again later makes me tired.
As for a clutch I will leave that up to someone else. It's been almost 20 years since I replaced one. Chap

[tubman]

I would say that if you are happy with how the clutch works now, keep it. Unless you want to spend time chasing parts, you have no idea about the quality of the new one. Just a fact of life these days.

[ford38v8]

X 2 on leave it alone. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[cas3]

Yeah, if you know it is low milage, just inspect it and clean it. Look for loose rivots at the hub, and cracked springs near the hub. Oil staines or burn marks clean up with sand paper and brake clean. Sand paper on the flywheel and pressure plate too unless it shows rough or blue heat spots.

[cas3]

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Also, press the throw out bearing against your palm and spin it to see that it turns smooth.

[flathead4rd]

I would replace the throw out and pilot bearing and leave the rest alone. If those two things are hard to get, put it back together and run with what you have.

[Flathead Fever]

If it is working well, I wouldn't replace it. If has a greaseable throw-out bearing, I'd wouldn't replace it either. 2100 miles, it's practically a new clutch. It all depends on the driver. I was fleet mechanic, and I had guys that got 50,000 miles out of a clutch and one-guy that got one-week out of his new "factory" clutch on a Chevy C50. We had to swap him into an automatic truck. My daughter got 125K miles out of her Scion clutch before I replaced it, I bought her the vehicle new, so I know that was the original clutch.

[hueyhoolihan]

there are a number of parts that are often involved when "replacing the clutch" is mentioned. if all of them were replaced 2500 miles ago and i was satisfied with it, i would leave it alone.

[ford38v8]

Learn from my mistake: I had it all buttoned up before I discovered i had the throwout bearing backwards. I betcha others can tell ya they forgot that stupid donut thingy altogether.

[19Fordy]

Reinstall the same clutch you were using as you know it works.

[Steve Fehniger]

Thank you all for your thoughts on this, great points and suggested components to check and inspect. I really appreciate your input. I'm anxious to take a look.

As my Dad says, keep V8ing.
Steve

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Flathead Fever

If it is working well, I wouldn't replace it. If has a greaseable throw-out bearing, I'd wouldn't replace it either. 2100 miles, it's practically a new clutch. It all depends on the driver. I was fleet mechanic, and I had guys that got 50,000 miles out of a clutch and one-guy that got one-week out of his new "factory" clutch on a Chevy C50. We had to swap him into an automatic truck. My daughter got 125K miles out of her Scion clutch before I replaced it, I bought her the vehicle new, so I know that was the original clutch.

This is true. I got 357K out of the same clutch in a '85 Jetta GLI. Parents bought it new and I bought it from them. Reverse went out in it but the clutch was still strong when I drove it in to the junk yard. LOL