How do I get pressure plate out.

[Pete/Ct.]

Ok guys I know I'm old but I think I have to remove the oil pan on my 41 flathead engine to take out what looks like a 10 inch clutch. Am I missing something or does the pan have to come off? Pete/Ct.

 

[alanwoodieman]

remove the oil pan

 

[drolston]

An 11" truck clutch would require dropping the pan. A 9" or 10" pressure plate should come out of a '41 engine without dropping the pan, if it is a stock Ford part.

 

[Ken/Alabama]

It’ll come out without dropping the pan. However, you may need to roll the engine to access the pressure plate bolts.

 

[deuce_roadster]

What Ken said x2.

 

[Pete/Ct.]

Rolled the pressure plate but cant get a socket on any of the bolts.

 

[JSeery]

Rolled the pressure plate but cant get a socket on any of the bolts.

Are you sure it is a 10 inch clutch?

 

[philipswanson]

Rolled the pressure plate but cant get a socket on any of the bolts.

How about an offset box?

 

[Phil Gillespie]

Rolled the pressure plate but cant get a socket on any of the bolts.

Just done one. I used a 3/8" drive socket set as these will fit ok.
!/2 " drive will be very difficult. Should only be torqued 17 to 20 ft/lb.
Phil NZ

 

[flatheadmurre]

I´m with Jseery if the angle makes it hard to get to the bolts...maybe an 11" clutch and the pan has to come off.
Take some time and do an estimate with a ruler of what size you actually got...kinda dictates the aproach of the job...

 

[OHV DeLuxe]

Use the 3/8" ratchet set and there is a small radius on the top of the opening in the block allowing the ratchet extender to reach the bolts pretty straight on. Then you should be able to "walk" the pressure plate out if 10"

 

[richard crow]

all the way from norway the right answer

 

[Pete/Ct.]

Thanks all, must be 11 inch. My tape measure must be old like me. Hahahahahahaha

 

[Mart]

If the bolts seem to be almost at the outside edge, then it's an 11". Imagine if it was a 10", there would be enough space for another row of bolts a half inch further out than the 10" ones. If there isn't a good 5/8(ish) gap around the outside, then it's a 11".
Mart.

 

[Tinker]

There is a 10.5" also.

 

[flatheadmurre]

There is a 10.5" also.

Not on an early engine...Late 8BA car engine only.

 

[Tinker]

Good to know, thank you! Flywheels do get changed out or redrilled.

Sh!ts and giggles... 1932-34 trucks had a 9.75" (probably not that common)... 35 up trucks 11".



.

 

[flatheadmurre]

The 9.5" inch is for the newer gearbox so for a smaller inputshaft to.
Not a very easy part to mix with older stuff.
And would be an easy thing to drop in a 9" frictionplate and be done ??...nope... the pressureplate arms are on a more narrow spacing hitting the larger collar on early trans...

 

[Pete/Ct.]

Ok thanks guys. should I use the 11 inch or go to a 9 inch. Wouldn't 11 inch be smoother on take off and less chance of clutch chatter. Thanks again. Pete/Ct.

 

[drolston]

Short of drag racing, there is no advantage to the 11" clutch in a passenger car, and considerable disadvantages, including: difficulty of replacement (drop pan), added rotating inertia, and stiffer clutch pedal at higher rpm.