Ok I have the clutch together, I have the proper fluid but how do I put it in?
Book says something about a plug but all I see are a series of dimples and three big nuts. It also mentions a tool which I have never heard of. All help will be appreciated even if it is at my expense.
Gordon,
Is the transmission attached to the engine already, or is the engine sitting by itself with the clutch mounted to the flywheel?
Per
engine and transmission together in car frame
When you rotate the engine and you look through the gap where the timing mark is above the starter motor, there is a large flat head bolt each 180 degrees on the front side of the flywheel. Remove either of these and fashion a tube attached to a small funnel to pour the fluid in. It doesn't hold much so you cant afford to spill it. Put the bolt back in and tighten and you are done..
Gordon,
Put in six ounces of clutch fluid. I use automatic transmission fluid.
It then is good to hold the clutch pedal down while rotating the engine slowly, such as with the starter. Have the car in 3rd gear when you do this, and the handbrake set or the car otherwise restrained from moving. The car may jerk once since the corks usually are a little bit stuck onto the flywheel and pressure plate. This helps to distribute the fluid onto all the corks.
Per
Found the nut and then dropped it inside the bell housing. Remove starter, insert magnet, slice finger get nut out.
Put fluid in clutch and put not back on, No bleeding to bad..Super glue does work on cuts. Starter goes back in tomorrow then drive shaft. Getting real close to cranking this engine up for the first time in 79 yrs and a one year overhaul. Body needs another primer coat then off to painters. Lots of rinky dinky stuff to find and do but just maybe I'll be at next years get together.
Two suggestions for future reference, when changing clutch oil:
1. Stuff rags into the inspection hole (around the bottom) to catch the nut if you drop it next time.
2. If you drop it, just slide under the car and remove the two bolts holding the flywheel cover. The bolt will be sitting down there. Very quick and less hassle than removing the starter.
Should have used the rag but got lazy. Bolt got stuck up toward the top and couldnt rotate because the fluid would have come out.
Live and learn
And there's another way to go about it if the car is up on jacks or a lift: With the bottom flywheel cover removed, position the flywheel with one of the filler plugs at the bottom, and remove the plug to drain the old stuff. Then turn the flywheel far enough that the new oil won't run out, and use a squirt can or other device to pump the proper amount of new oil in.
Park's suggestion is the way to do it if you have Drivemaster, since the window next to the starter is hard to reach.
Plug has been retrieved with magnet and reinstalled with a rag beneath it this time. One more item off the check list.
