Question on Transmission removal

[Joseph K.]

I have to change the throw out bearing on a 350 with a four speed. I see that the cross member does not come down. Can the transmission be pulled back far enough to get it out of the bell housing or at least far enough to get the bearing out?

[Terry M.]

Re: Question on Transmission removal

I have to change the throw out bearing on a 350 with a four speed. I see that the cross member does not come down. Can the transmission be pulled back far enough to get it out of the bell housing or at least far enough to get the bearing out?

Yes it can. Been there done that and got that T-shirt. Best information is in the Chassis Service Manual. A step by step set of instructions by the engineers who built the car. It will tell you what parts to remove and in what order and most importantly how to rotate the transmission to get the clearance to remove it.

I did it on a two post hoist. I do not relish the thought of doing it laying on my back.

[Joseph K.]

Re: Question on Transmission removal

Thanks Terry. I have a four poster so I am good in that department. I was unsure about getting it far enough back but the info on the rotation is great. Thanks

[Joseph K.]

Re: Question on Transmission removal

Terry,

Got the trany out this PM and the throw out bearing doesn't look bad. I going to replace it any way but I want to make sure that it is the bearing making the noise. When the clutch is depressed sometimes a bearing noise is heard. Last night I felt it in the cluch peddle. I have changed all of the components less that 2,000 miles ago including the brass bushing in the fly wheel. Looking at the throw out bearing it has a fiber collar and a metal bearing enclosure. The face that meets the pressure plate is slightly worn. The brass bushing area is dry. Is there any thing else that would cause this noise? Should the bushing be greased? The fingers on the pressure plate do not look worn.

[Terry M.]

Re: Question on Transmission removal

Terry,

Got the trany out this PM and the throw out bearing doesn't look bad. I going to replace it any way but I want to make sure that it is the bearing making the noise. When the clutch is depressed sometimes a bearing noise is heard. Last night I felt it in the cluch peddle. I have changed all of the components less that 2,000 miles ago including the brass bushing in the fly wheel. Looking at the throw out bearing it has a fiber collar and a metal bearing enclosure. The face that meets the pressure plate is slightly worn. The brass bushing area is dry. Is there any thing else that would cause this noise? Should the bushing be greased? The fingers on the pressure plate do not look worn.

Throw out bearings do not require grease. After that I can't tell you much, but I can share my experiences.

My 1970 started making noise from the throw out bearing shortly after I took delivery -- at least within the first year. Even though the original warranty was still in effect I did not trust a dealership to work on the car and I lived with the noise until 1986 or 87 (full disclosure I didn't drive it much from 1973 to 1985). My fellow NCRS members talked me into changing it with dire stories of the car becoming disabled on a trip and yada, yada, yada. When I removed it there was no outward sign of damage to the throw out bearing, and rotating it by hand made no unusual sounds. I changed it and the clutch plate anyway -- after all I was there and the car had almost 50K miles at that time.

Result: no more noise, and thousands more happy miles including all the awards NCRS and Bloomington Gold have to offer -- including the NCRS Founder's Award that requires 500 miles of driving (each way in my case) to a National Convention.

My advice: change it and move on.

BTW: Did you find the yellow marks by the bell housing to engine bolts?

[Edward J.]

Re: Question on Transmission removal

Joe, I would take a look at the front transmisson bearing. if the t/o bearing spins smoothly. I might be inclined to look further. As a general rule if the t/o bearing is making noise, it will make it with the pedal depressed . If your hearing the noise while the car is running and not touching the pedal this could be a front input bearing.

[Joseph K.]

Re: Question on Transmission removal

Terry,

I did not find the yellow marks since the trans was removed during the frame off. Thanks for your advice.

Ed,

It only made the noise when the clutch was depressed and it was intermittent. It only squealed/growled when some was looking or near the car. I am going to replace the bearing with a total metal one, not one with a fiber collar), but my concern is whether I should grease the brass bushing at the fly wheel. I am going to stop by Phoenix Friction Products on my way home to see if they can give me some incite. For all I know the trans shaft may be making the noise as it rides against the brass bushing in the fly wheel.

Joe

[Terry M.]

Re: Question on Transmission removal

Terry,

I did not find the yellow marks since the trans was removed during the frame off. Thanks for your advice.

Ed,

It only made the noise when the clutch was depressed and it was intermittent. It only squealed/growled when some was looking or near the car. I am going to replace the bearing with a total metal one, not one with a fiber collar), but my concern is whether I should grease the brass bushing at the fly wheel. I am going to stop by Phoenix Friction Products on my way home to see if they can give me some incite. For all I know the trans shaft may be making the noise as it rides against the brass bushing in the fly wheel.

Joe

I believe those brass bushings are made from Oillite which is a product that contains oil in the pores of the material. Others may offer additonal comment.

Any sign of wear on the tip of the trans main shaft?

[Joseph K.]

Re: Question on Transmission removal

Went to Phoenix Friction Products and they looked at the throw-out bearing and said that it was most likely the culprit of the noise. The bearing seemed to be tight and the face of the bearing showed some wear. They felt that the tightness of the bearing may have caused some slippage/chatter between the pressure plate and the throw-out bearing. The said that the brass bushing if bad would make noise if the clutch was out and in neutral. The brass bushing is made to release metal dust that is used as lubricant. They told me that it was a no/no to put grease on the bushing as it would close the pours on the brass and dust would not provide lubricant and the grease could/would make a paste that could damage the end of the transmission shaft. I plan to put the trans back in in the next few days.

Terry the end of the trans shaft is slightly worn with a little dish were the bushing would ride. There are two types of support for this area. The one is the brass bushing and the other is a small bearing with needle type rollers. I was told that for a trans shaft like mine with a little wear the bushing should be used. They also said that when installing the trans, placing the nose of the trans in the bearing on the flywheel, the end of the shaft could dislodge the needle bearings. Thus making the bearing inoperable. I am sticking with the brass bushing it seemed to work fine.

Joe

[Terry M.]

Re: Question on Transmission removal

I can't remember why right now, but I remember being told the needle bearing is not a good idea -- in spite of what it seems like.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Question on Transmission removal

It's a good idea to check the run out relationship from crankshaft to the bell housing hole as this will tell if the transmission input shaft is sitting inside the pilot bushing centered. Is the old bushing egged shaped and post a picture of the pilot on the end of the input shaft. If this relationship is not right a needle bearing will not last long which is why it's best to use a oilite brass bushing. Info in the archives.

Also, check your clutch fork for wear at the throw out bearing clutch fork interface. Wear at the point of contact (throw out bearing against clutch fork) will cause the bearing to spin and contact the fork causing noise as the fork is wore out.