"ar" transmission parts
- Thread starter jgriffin
- Start date
Dan Partain
Well-known member
Call Berts, they will most likely have that part. They're closed mondays.
Bert's Model A Store
2767 South Tejon Street
Englewood, CO 80110
303-293-3673
Bert's Model A Store
2767 South Tejon Street
Englewood, CO 80110
303-293-3673
Tom Endy
Well-known member
That looks like some kind of a multi-disk clutch, but it is not Model A. The multi-flywheel on an early Model A is much larger. See the attached article.
https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Multiple-Disk-Clutch_TE.pdf
Tom Endy
https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Multiple-Disk-Clutch_TE.pdf
Tom Endy
bobv
Senior Member
Tom' please explain as that looks like what I had on my early 28
rotorwrench
Well-known member
It looks the same to me but I've never owned one.
The transmission internal gears are basically the same but the cases went though several variations due to the multi-disk clutch and the follow on change over to the single disk type clutch. The input shaft is different. The starters for these have to have either the Able type or the small diameter Bendix replacement. The bell housing is also a bit different. The parts to repair a worn multi disk set up are hard to find and expensive if you do find them since they weren't used very long.
It does look like the flywheel internal splines are badly worn which is common for a well used unit. Just finding a flywheel that is good may be a big problem. I'm not sure if anyone could repair those or not. It wouldn't be easy for sure.
If a person isn't concerned about originality, the whole system can be replaced with the more common single disk set up but it is a big job. At least parts are available for them though.
The transmission internal gears are basically the same but the cases went though several variations due to the multi-disk clutch and the follow on change over to the single disk type clutch. The input shaft is different. The starters for these have to have either the Able type or the small diameter Bendix replacement. The bell housing is also a bit different. The parts to repair a worn multi disk set up are hard to find and expensive if you do find them since they weren't used very long.
It does look like the flywheel internal splines are badly worn which is common for a well used unit. Just finding a flywheel that is good may be a big problem. I'm not sure if anyone could repair those or not. It wouldn't be easy for sure.
If a person isn't concerned about originality, the whole system can be replaced with the more common single disk set up but it is a big job. At least parts are available for them though.
Last edited:
jgriffin
Member
Tom-
Thank you for the link! Respectfully, it looks to me as if it is the same flywheel. The article does not give the measurements, and I can measure mine when I get home, but it does have the A7609-AR retainer and felt described. And that retainer is what I bent while removing.
If I am missing something feel free to correct me!
Seth Swoboda
Well-known member
Everything Rotorwrench said here is correct. From my own experience with an early '28 multi-disk clutch, early flyewheel and transmission.
J Franklin
Well-known member
If you have trouble finding another one yours can be repaired.
jgriffin
Member
Gary Karr
Well-known member
You can simply straighten your felt retainer and re-use it. All it's there for is to hold the round felt piece in place. The felt is supposed to help keep the grease from the pilot bearing away from the multi-disc clutch unit.
Now, about the notches in your flywheel, it is usable as is but you will experience a considerable amount of clutch chatter with it in that condition.
Now, about the notches in your flywheel, it is usable as is but you will experience a considerable amount of clutch chatter with it in that condition.
jgriffin
Member
I may have a buddy try straightening it. Kinda looks like the metal stretched when it bent.
Also thanks for the insight on the chatter. A fellow member messaged me and is going to send pictures of another flywheel!
Tom Endy
Well-known member
My apologies to everyone, it is a Model A multi-disk clutch. When I first looked at the photo it looked smaller.
The early clutch was a really great clutch, the reason they discontinued it was it was expensive to manufacture and expensive to repair.
The flywheel is the difficult part, if it is worn and grooved there are no replacements unless you can find one at a swap meet that came out of a low mileage car, good luck with that one.
I used to repair the clutch disk packs. For years I would pick them up at swap meets and salvage the disks that still had square teeth on them. There was a local clutch shop where I could have the friction disks re-lined. I am no longer in the business. The old muti-clutch parts are hard to find now days. Best to convert to the single disk clutch if everything is worn.
For years the Model A kingdom bad-mouthed the multi-clutch and advised Model A owners to replace them. This resulted in a lot of serviceable parts showing up at swap meets in years past.
Tom Endy
The early clutch was a really great clutch, the reason they discontinued it was it was expensive to manufacture and expensive to repair.
The flywheel is the difficult part, if it is worn and grooved there are no replacements unless you can find one at a swap meet that came out of a low mileage car, good luck with that one.
I used to repair the clutch disk packs. For years I would pick them up at swap meets and salvage the disks that still had square teeth on them. There was a local clutch shop where I could have the friction disks re-lined. I am no longer in the business. The old muti-clutch parts are hard to find now days. Best to convert to the single disk clutch if everything is worn.
For years the Model A kingdom bad-mouthed the multi-clutch and advised Model A owners to replace them. This resulted in a lot of serviceable parts showing up at swap meets in years past.
Tom Endy
rackops
Senior Member
One of my hobbies is picking up early multidisk clutch parts. My E28 Phaeton was converted to a single disk long ago, but I plan on converting it back to a multidisk when I restore it. I plan on having more parts on hand if I need to have them in the future (hint, hint...if anyone's looking to sell parts...hint...) 
Keith True
Well-known member
I'm going the other way in my July 28 phaeton.The multi disc just drives a little different,and I really don't care for it.I have plenty of parts to change it,so my multi disc setup will be complete right down to the last special bolts,nuts,and pins.
jgriffin
Member
Alright. I took everyone's advise and straightened it the best I could! Going to use what I have for now since I have another motor being rebuilt and will get to that next winter. So everything can be changed then if this transmission shutters too much.
Also I thought I should attach this from an older post. Really cool how a fellow Aer made his setup still look original and used the single clutch set up!
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186114
Also I thought I should attach this from an older post. Really cool how a fellow Aer made his setup still look original and used the single clutch set up!
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186114
Gene F
Well-known member
One of my hobbies is picking up early multidisk clutch parts. My E28 Phaeton was converted to a single disk long ago, but I plan on converting it back to a multidisk when I restore it. I plan on having more parts on hand if I need to have them in the future (hint, hint...if anyone's looking to sell parts...hint...)
Yes, but I live in Ohio, USA