drewr
05-12-2022, 11:08 AM
So I encountered what seems to be a relatively common problem. It was time to install my new TKX 5 speed transmission on the 347 sbf I built. Attached my flywheel, got a new pilot bearing, used the little plastic clutch disk alignment tool to hold my RAM clutch plate, and mounted the pressure plate. I mounted the bellhousing, checked the runout. Measured the clearance for my RAM hydraulic bearing, and used the proper shims. All good.
The engine was on a small Motofeet engine stand. I used an engine hoist and a nylon strap to balance the TKX. The input shaft went through the hydraulic bearing and into the pilot bearing. It mounted up all the way until the last half inch. Right up to the input shaft collar on the mating surface of the TKX. No matter how I angled it or pressed, I could not get it to close that last half inch or so. I spent a few sweaty hours trying and had no success. After much googling and searching this forum, I encountered many who had tread this path. Many possible causes, but probably a misaligned clutch plate. Those plastic alignment tools have a lot of play and are notoriously inaccurate.
Day 2: I went to autozone and rented a universal clutch plate alignment tool that had an adapter to match the input shaft diameter and a cone shaped wedge to hold the clutch plate in place. Came home from work and took the clutch back apart. I used the rental tool as I put it back together. Remounted the pressure plate and the bellhousing. Tried to mount the transmission. It was worse than before! Only closed to about 3/4 inch. No matter what I did, what angle, turn the splines, could not get it to seat home. I used guide shaft bolts and everything. I was super tempted to try to use the mounting bolts to draw it down that last little bit. But every single thread I read said, "Don't do it!"
Laid awake at night trying to puzzle it out. Was the clutch disc still misaligned after all? Did I have the wrong pilot bearing? I had test fitted it prior to installing. My arms were super sore. I googled more threads on mustang and camaro forums looking at this issue. It had to be the clutch disc.
Day 3: Came home from work and took the clutch apart again. I put two layers of electrical tape around the shaft of the plastic alignment tool that came with the RAM clutch. It made the tool fit snugly in the pilot bearing with less tendency to droop under the weight of the clutch plate. I was super careful to center the disc using the mounting dowels on the flywheel as reference points. Made sure the disc was equidistant from each mounting dowel. Remounted the pressure plate very carefully. It dropped on my fingers as I held the alignment tool 2 times. Not fun. Finally got it mounted without moving the clutch disc. Before I put the bellhousing back on, I lifted the TKX again to see if it would mount. Slid right in to the disc spines and the pilot bearing with no problem. So far so good.
I remounted the bellhousing, put in the RAM hydraulic bearing, re-lifted the TKX and tried again. SHHUNK!! Mounted home with zero effort! Glad I had no fingers in there as it really slid in quickly. Put the bolts in no problem.
So, if anyone reads this or cares, if you can't get your transmission to mount that last little bit, IT'S A MISALIGNED DISC! Absolutely. Take it apart and try again. Don't draw it in with the mounting bolts. Test fit your pilot bearing before installing. Test fit your clutch disc on the input spines before installing. It should go together super easy if lined up correctly.
So another small victory in the Type 65 Coupe campaign.
Drew
The engine was on a small Motofeet engine stand. I used an engine hoist and a nylon strap to balance the TKX. The input shaft went through the hydraulic bearing and into the pilot bearing. It mounted up all the way until the last half inch. Right up to the input shaft collar on the mating surface of the TKX. No matter how I angled it or pressed, I could not get it to close that last half inch or so. I spent a few sweaty hours trying and had no success. After much googling and searching this forum, I encountered many who had tread this path. Many possible causes, but probably a misaligned clutch plate. Those plastic alignment tools have a lot of play and are notoriously inaccurate.
Day 2: I went to autozone and rented a universal clutch plate alignment tool that had an adapter to match the input shaft diameter and a cone shaped wedge to hold the clutch plate in place. Came home from work and took the clutch back apart. I used the rental tool as I put it back together. Remounted the pressure plate and the bellhousing. Tried to mount the transmission. It was worse than before! Only closed to about 3/4 inch. No matter what I did, what angle, turn the splines, could not get it to seat home. I used guide shaft bolts and everything. I was super tempted to try to use the mounting bolts to draw it down that last little bit. But every single thread I read said, "Don't do it!"
Laid awake at night trying to puzzle it out. Was the clutch disc still misaligned after all? Did I have the wrong pilot bearing? I had test fitted it prior to installing. My arms were super sore. I googled more threads on mustang and camaro forums looking at this issue. It had to be the clutch disc.
Day 3: Came home from work and took the clutch apart again. I put two layers of electrical tape around the shaft of the plastic alignment tool that came with the RAM clutch. It made the tool fit snugly in the pilot bearing with less tendency to droop under the weight of the clutch plate. I was super careful to center the disc using the mounting dowels on the flywheel as reference points. Made sure the disc was equidistant from each mounting dowel. Remounted the pressure plate very carefully. It dropped on my fingers as I held the alignment tool 2 times. Not fun. Finally got it mounted without moving the clutch disc. Before I put the bellhousing back on, I lifted the TKX again to see if it would mount. Slid right in to the disc spines and the pilot bearing with no problem. So far so good.
I remounted the bellhousing, put in the RAM hydraulic bearing, re-lifted the TKX and tried again. SHHUNK!! Mounted home with zero effort! Glad I had no fingers in there as it really slid in quickly. Put the bolts in no problem.
So, if anyone reads this or cares, if you can't get your transmission to mount that last little bit, IT'S A MISALIGNED DISC! Absolutely. Take it apart and try again. Don't draw it in with the mounting bolts. Test fit your pilot bearing before installing. Test fit your clutch disc on the input spines before installing. It should go together super easy if lined up correctly.
So another small victory in the Type 65 Coupe campaign.
Drew