Clutch Inspection Cover

[ursus]

My car has the older clutch inspection cover - Ford called it a "hand hole cover"- without the vent louvers that were added mid-production. Is this a non-problem or should I find a vented cover?

 

[J Franklin]

No problem.

 

[Bob Bidonde]

Rotation of the flywheel and clutch causes the air in the enclosed clutch housing to flow. The dynamics of the air flow makes a suction on the enclosed surfaces that draws oil from the rear main bearing & transmission. The louvered (vented) A-7518-B Clutch Housing Hand Hole Cover provides an air source that significantly lowers the draw of oils from the rear main bearing and transmission.

Also be aware that there are 3 versions of the Clutch Housing Hand Hole Cover. The 1st one, A-7518 Clutch Housing Hand Hole Cover is for the multiple disc clutch, and it is smaller than the later parts. The 2nd cover without louvers is the 1st iteration for the single disc clutch. The 3rd & final iteration of the Cover with louvers is the A-7518-B for the single disc clutch. The A-7518-B Cover is reproduced and available from parts dealers.
There is an A-7518-AR Cover that is the service replacement for "A" & "AA" vehicles with the multiple disc clutch. It is the same cover as the 1st iteration, A-7518.