Throwout Bearing

[Steve Cassani]

After 16,000 miles, the throwout bearing in the Centerforce clutch disintegrated. It did not wear out-of-round, it actually broke apart, with some peripheral damage to the clutch assembly. I'm running a 351 Windsor, stock displacement, prepared by Performance Engineering.

I have some information and tips on removing the transmission by lifting it up and out from the top of SPO 1862. Can you folks offer any advice on repair and re-assembly of the clutch? Anything to look for in the way of abnormal wear that might have contributed to the failure? Or anything that might be susceptible to damage when the bearing came apart?

[Tony Aprile]

Steve

In a SPF there's simply not enough room to pull the tranny out the bottom, you probrbly know the seats come out then the transmission tunnel. Just be careful peeling back the carpet to access the tunnel screws and have patience when pulling the tunnel as not to crack the fiberglass because the Butyl tape that seals the tunnel streches like chewing gum.

I would have to say if the bearing blew apart it was probably out of adjustment with not enough free play, so it was constantly spinning.
Check height of all he fingers on the pressure to see if there uniform...the transmission shaft cover and the clutch fork for ease of movement.

Since your going throught the trouble of removing major components, I would also replace the pilot bushing along with the new clutch.

I guess the next question is have you ever replaced a clutch before ??

Tony

[Steve Cassani]

Thanks, Tony.

No, I haven't replaced a clutch before. The shop doing the work is familiar with the Centerforce clutch, not with an SPF. I've provided them with print-outs from this and the SCOF sites, describing how to remove the transmission from the top. I'll add your note.