Thread: Installing a blower on a flathead

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I notice I'm having to adjust the throwout bearing up against the pressure plate fingers in order to get enough stroke to release the clutch. I also had to do that with the previous tranns. This means my bearing is constantly turning. Not a good thing, but i'm not sure what to "fix". Any ideas?

I ran flatheads more years back then I would like to admit and one of the things I recall was that the throwout bearing was almost a 'consumable'. Now, if I were to have sat and thought about it "back then", might have figured out a way to add more "throw" at the cross shaft - that is changed the ratio between pedal throw and the final movement of the push rod. I have read the entire post, but don't recall if you discussed how you are making this operate, but unless it's hydraulic, you will have to make your throw changes with that cross shaft. Also, if you are using a 3 finger clutch rather then a diaphragm style, you will need to make sure each of those 'fingers' is being contacted at the same time. There used to be an adjustment - a bolt in each finger - that could be set for height. If it's a diaphragm type, and Mercury's as well as pick ups used them, those many individual fingers had to be contacted evenly as well. That diaphragm clutch was not the favorite of racers - you couldn't disassemble and add springs or change the existing that were too weak (we used valve springs for that) nor did they have the centrifugal weights to add clamping force

I'm using the stock lever arrangement for this set-up. Yea, I thought about it after I wrote the post and figured out I would have to make a new clutch actuation arm with a different ratio to move the bearing further. I remember looking at the fingers and they seemed to be wearing the same, so I assume they are adjusted fairly close to the same. Since the bearing was brand new less than 50 miles ago, I just re-installed it. The pressure plate is the "long" style. Guess I'll just drive it and see what happens 'cause I really don't want to pull that engine/tranny out again this soon. I'm really going to look into a new clutch shaft though. I have a buddy in Orlando that can weld me up something that will work. Thanks for the reply!

Took the truck around the block yesterday. Shifted into second but didn't go too far and turned the corner to head back to the garage. Gears 1 and 2 had good acceleration. However.... when shifting into 1st gear to turn into my driveway.... the shifter shaft broke where I had welded it together. Lousy welder, I am. I guess I will have to sleeve the joint and have my Orlando buddy do the welding (he's a pro). Next week I'll get up there and get that shift arm really fixed! Two steps forward and one step back.

DSCN1538.JPGDSCN1537.JPGWent to Orlando today and had my buddy tig weld this shifter. Looks good and works fine. Here are two photos.

Took the truck out again and noticed the clutch seems to be "breaking" in and needs adjustment. Again, had the problem of not being able to shift into any gear with engine running. Had to shut off engine, put into gear, and then let out clutch. But I know I'm still contacting the clutch fingers with the bearing in neutral. Going to have to make a new clutch shaft with a different ratio arm. Always something!

Yesterday drove and clutch engagement leaves a lot to be desired. Jackstanded the truck and looked underneath. One of my welded "ears" is busted. Going to have to bite the bullet and re-do this tranny install. QuickTime makes a bellhousing for this combo, and I will buy it and "do it right". Anyone out there done this job? I will have to find a way to work the clutch, either hydraulic or manual. Have to go down to a 10.5" pressure plate too. The 11" I have in there is too big. Oh, well...

Sorry to hear this - just another "bump in the road" aye? And we call this fun, right?

Thanks, 34_40....I'm sure you know how this is!

Originally Posted by Ford Guy

Thanks, 34_40....I'm sure you know how this is!

Yes! Sadly, I do know this part all to well!

More than I care to lately also! What's that saying?? What doesn't kill us makes us stronger?!?!? After last week I feel like Hurcules!

Sorry for not getting on recently....been busy with other projects and short visit out of town for a vacation. Ordered the bellhousing and waiting for delivery. Got some home improvement to finish for wife, so some delay in getting back to project truck. I am going to go with hydraulic master/slave to actuate the clutch. Probably the best way to go with this install. Will keep things up to date soon.

Originally Posted by Ford Guy

Sorry for not getting on recently....been busy with other projects and short visit out of town for a vacation. Ordered the bellhousing and waiting for delivery. Got some home improvement to finish for wife, so some delay in getting back to project truck. I am going to go with hydraulic master/slave to actuate the clutch. Probably the best way to go with this install. Will keep things up to date soon.

Thanks for staying in touch! We all get the Honey-Do's from time to time... LOL.. Hope the hydraulic mechanism work!

Sending the Quicktime bellhousing back....too much replacement of new parts and fabrication for me. No need to re-invent the clutch. Customer service was very vague about what clutch arm, pressure plate, etc. to use for the conversion. So,....I'm going with the Flathead Jack Offy adapter he sells for the T-10. About the same price, but I can use all the parts I have right now. Just the pain of pulling the engine/tranny again, but wth. Later

Well at least there's an alternative to "re"-spending for the same parts! I hope they/you also can come up with a different clutch arn to get a better ratio / throw. Getting that better throw will probably cause an increase in pedal pressure tho'...

ohousing.JPGTranshousing.JPGThe tranny is out and the bellhousing is ordered. Hope to have it next week and get the opportunity to install it. Going to have to work on the linkage, though. New arm length or hydraulic actuation, one or the other. If I can ever get this transmission in and working, I can finish up with the blower install. Seems like something is always in the way, though.