Clutch replacement on street?

[WorkinLonghorn]

I need to put a different clutch in my '69. I called around my area (L.A.) and one old timer told me that if I brought in the parts, he'd install them for $800 (!!!). I know overhead has gone crazy around here lately but I remember in the '80s I just crawled under my '63 (with a 230 ci. 6 and 3 on the column) slid the trans. back a little and slipped a new disk in there in about 45 minutes.
How difficult would it be to swap out the clutch on an iron case 4 spd. Is this something that an old geezer can do on the street with a floor jack? Or would I need to fab a trans. holder for the jack and even then is it practical... -BA

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

I need to put a different clutch in my '69. I called around my area (L.A.) and one old timer told me that if I brought in the parts, he'd install them for $800 (!!!). I know overhead has gone crazy around here lately but I remember in the '80s I just crawled under my '63 (with a 230 ci. 6 and 3 on the column) slid the trans. back a little and slipped a new disk in there in about 45 minutes.
How difficult would it be to swap out the clutch on an iron case 4 spd. Is this something that an old geezer can do on the street with a floor jack? Or would I need to fab a trans. holder for the jack and even then is it practical... -BA

You could probably do it if you had a REAL transmission jack. That thing probably weighs 3 times what a 3 speed does. They are also really awkward because they are so tall and top heavy. I wouldn't try it by yourself.....
.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

There is a lot of difference in replacing the clutch in the column 3 speed & the 4 speed trans. You will need to remove the cover on the floor. You will need a way to support the trans. That dude is heavy & awkward. If you can stick a crane through the door it works better.
I used to have a shop. I sure would not like to try doing in in the street. I'm a real old geezer now but I would not want to do it even if I were young again.
Putting a clutch in one of those old 3 speed was gravy. Like you said, a guy could do it in an hour.

George

[geezer#99]

Back 50 years ago we always carried a spare Saginaw 3 speed just in case we fragged one on late night excursions. Could swap one out in 45 minutes in a handy spot off the road. Mind you they only weighed 75 lbs. now then a cast iron 4 speed likely weighs close to double that. You’ll need a holder to mount on your jack. You could make some long dowels for the top bolt holes and just slide the trans back supported by the trans. Then wrestle the disc outta there.
800 seems awful high. Shouldn’t take more than a couple hours in an equipped shop.
If you have the room and the tools, go for it.
Nothing like the satisfaction of doing a job yourself.

[Mike C]

I did the clutch in my ‘86 K30 454/4 speed about 5 years ago. On an unlevel concrete pad outside our barn. Got it out in about 4 hours. I did have the big Harbor Freight trans jack. I lowered it down and rolled it back out of the way leaving it on the jack. The next day I put it back together. That also took about 4 hours. And it started raining, and then snowing with temps hovering about 32F. And it rained on me between the cab and the flatbed! But $800 saved. I had already bought the trans jack to drop the Allison out of my Duramax truck… But it was no 45 minute job. And if it had been a crew cab truck I wouldn’t have been tall enough to put my feet on the Dana 70 and push the trans all the way in!

[WorkinLonghorn]

Thanks guys. After reading these posts I decided to keep looking for a better deal and have someone else do the job who has the tools and space. Thanks again, -BA

[57taskforce]

They can be a pain because of the aforementioned weight and being awkward, if you aren’t set up for it. My 4 speed trucks are all 4x4’s. I’ve done it both ways; pulling the case sliding the transmission back etc. anymore I’m happy just pulling the engine up and forward a bit (not even out of the engine bay) to where I can get everything swapped and pulling the flywheel for refinishing. Makes for a great time to check/replace the motor mounts.

[toms68cst]

I'd machine or replace the flywheel too. I failed to do that when I did my clutch several years ago and still had considerable chatter after the new clutch was installed.

[hugger6933]

Back years ago like 38 or so I was replacing clutches in tractors and trailor type trucks. I had a Mack Wret you can see whats coming. The trans shape of a Mack trans is like a triangle but upside down I had the trans loose and went to pull it back and over it came pinning both of my arms between the frame and trans. I was by myself hung under that truck it was so very hot for hours. My brother came by to visit, I told him I was hung up he turned on his heels and said I'll come back when your not so busy I said you dont understand I'm hung under here. He helped me out and helped me get the clutch changed and trans back in place. That was the last big truck clutch I did. If your older and broke down like me I'd look for someone to do it for you or at least provide lots of help. Jim

[72SB]

IMHO, you want to replace the PP & disc and resurface the flywheel and replace pilot bushing n any clutch swap.

If it was just a farm truck hauling hay bales, then yeah the old disc only swap will work but likely have clutch chatter after

The Harbor Freight trans jack, for me, is worth every penny.

[kwmech]

That's almost 2 days of work with somebody doing it by themselves. And then waiting for the machine shop to flatten the flywheel. 800.00 is a little bit steep. Personally I'd do it for 500.00. It's a lot of work pulling carpet and unbolting the seat floor pan etc.