Help, about to drop the tranny for the first time!

[CiscOsys311]

OK, its official. The clutch has deffinately gone! I am going to put the car up on jack stands and I would just like to know from those those with clutch knowledge. What are the little things I should be looking out for? I have changed a number of FWD clutches before and all of them had the "little" things that made the job a whole lot easier {the next time}

I think I am going to buy the DVD that is out there but I would really like to know if I have to use/build the engine support device? Can I just use a 2nd jack for under the engine?

This SHO is a 1989 MTX. It has 63k original miles purchased about 2 weeks ago. I have read on here about the flywheel being smaller on the 89 model. Should I be upgrading the flywheel at this point? ( I plan on going LIGHT flywheel, Stage 2 or 3 clutch and Quaife when I get used to this car and get the bugz out and the money ) Should I just use a flywheel that has the extra diameter, 9 3/4 I believe, from a new model?

I have a lot more questions, I am probably stressing more then I should on this. I just don`t want to mess it up or spend a good part of the day on something "little". Any help with this would be appreciated.

One more thing, what clutch should I buy? I am looking at something that is good for a daily driver but wont slip if I take it to the track for some 1/8 mile bracket racing.

 

[TYSHO]

You can pull the tranny out the driver side fenderwell and will need nothing much but a jack to support the motor.

You will definately need an upgraded flywheel if yours has never had the upgrade. It is possible to find the 89 clutch kit[smaller] but you're only looking for problems and something that is not good to withstand the output from the motor.

The stock clutch is perfect for daily driving and the track, if you're stock. However, there's a lot out there who run these clutches to crap within a few thousand miles. Your best bet would be the ClutchMasters Stage1, IIRC. There are many members running this kit and prefer it as the PP straps are reinforced and less prone to bend with aggressive driving.

 

[CiscOsys311]

I think I am going to upgrade the flywheel at the same time. What years should I be looking for that have the 9 3/4 design and will fit my 89 tranny? After I get a hold of a flywheel, do I just buy the clutch kit for that year flywheel?

Thanks

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

the clutch you will need to get can be had from Mike Kelly who has the same name on the forum, or Josh at SHONUT performance.

The clutch you can order from a parts store would be for a 91 SHO. In fact, I wouldnt be surprized if you cant get the old clutch anymore.


as to removal, its a bit more complicated than just "supporting the engine with a jack" as you will have to drop the subframe with the engine supported (I opted to support the engine from above, drop the subframe, remove the tranny completely, then replace the rear main seal and the carrier gasket). If none of this makes sense, I would suggest buying Josh's clutch replacement video as it was most excellent at covering everything that needs to be done, from tools, to parts to procedures. Very helpful.

 

[CiscOsys311]

I just remembered that I bought an engine hoist from ebay a while back. I think that may work to support up top. I bought it when I was working on my 13 rotary race engine but never needed it, that thing weighs a little more then a keg. I will have to see if I can mount it up in the garage.

I am going to buy the video right now, guess I will search the forum for the website. I forgot it.

 

[TYSHO]

In fact, I wouldnt be surprized if you cant get the old clutch anymore.

You'd be surprised, they're everywhere! You can even catch them on eBay for like $64.99 for the whole kit. SPEC even offers them in every stage they have, as the flywheel they supply allows bolt up for both versions of the SHO clutch kit.

 

[CiscOsys311]

What size is the AXLE nut? MM or SAE?

Let me know, I got her up on JACKSTANDS now, i`m just putting along cause I still need to purchase the FLYWHEEL and CLUTCH.

Bruce, let me know what the shipping is going to be on the parts I need. I will try and send a paypal by Tuesday or WEN>


Thanks
Michael
[email protected]

 

[TYSHO]

What size is the AXLE nut? MM or SAE?

From all the times I've done this, I recall a 30mm.

 

[Racer X]

...as to removal, its a bit more complicated than just "supporting the engine with a jack" as you will have to drop the subframe with the engine supported (I opted to support the engine from above, drop the subframe, remove the tranny completely, then replace the rear main seal and the carrier gasket)...

It's not that complicated, to be honest.

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=40752&p=363750

:corn:

 

[fastsho92]

Yes it is not that bad... I had to switch out my trans a few months ago. I didn't do it in a shop or anything, but i did have a cherry picker, and 2 jacks, and i have air took that makes it pretty easy. I didn't think it was hard at all you just need to take your time and dig into it. First take out the brakes, struts, and spindals. Then I would take out the axles. Be sure to know that when you take out the driver side axle, ALOT of tranny fluid will come out. Then take out the halfshaft, and dissconnect the steering which you will already had to do when you take off the spindals. But take out the 2 bolts on the rack, then zip tie the tie rod ends to something.

At this point I put the cherry picker on the motor and then jacks under the subframe. Then I took out all the bolts on all the motor mounts, then take out all the subframe bolts and with some help drop the subframe down. Then you can go ahead and take out the starter, disconnect the clutch cable, VSS, and some other small things. Then again with some help, undo all the trans bolts and pull out the trans with a jack to support it. And your done. Im sure there is some lil things that I am missing but that is the big things. Have fun, take your time and remember how to put it back together.

Hope that helps,
Mike

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

It's not that complicated, to be honest.

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=40752&p=363750

:corn:

I opted not to wrench on the motor that is supported only by a jack as it is very hard to get those bolts nuts and such loose when the motor is balancing on a floor jack. Not to mention that I then will have to wiggle a tranny off then on again with the motor again supported by a floor jack.

I think it is not only difficult to do with just a jack, but unwise as in UNSAFE. We supported the engine from above using 2 fender crossmembers and installed the tranny using a floor jack and a sling system from the upper crossmembers to guide the awkward tranny weight back into the motor. Even then it was hard. Dueling floor jacks is not my style.


as to availability, I used a double negative by accident....the SHO clutch is very available. I WOULD be surprized if you couldn't find one.

 

[1stSHO]

just remember when you DROP it, dont drop it on your foot!!!!

It kinda hurts

 

[CiscOsys311]

I got the video from SHONUT. I`m glad I did, deff. going to be a big help. I found that I had an engine hoist pulley that I tied with an O ring hook to the I Beam in my garage. Went through a couple drill bits going through that thing. It should hold it stable. I just need to get a chain to wrap around the engine.

Thanks for the video Josh. Good work!

 

[sdpatt]

I have written a procedure for the clutch repalcement on the SHO. Email me at [email protected] and I will send it to you. With Josh's excellent video and that procedure, you should be well equipped.

I have also published plans for an engine support that you can find somehwere here in the as they have been hosted by another member.

 

[rlw001]

One thing I would like to add... I used tie-down straps to support the tranny when do ing the install. The straps support the weight and still allow you to wiggle the tranny into place.

 

[fastsho92]

Getting the trans out is the easy part... It is just putting it all back together. When I put mine back in, it would only go so far then I put in a few of the bolt and started to tighten each on a little bit. It just pulled the trans right in. Just make sure that the bolts are not hard to tighten because you do not want to mess up the input shaft.

So did you start on the trans yet? If so how is it going?

-mike

 

[TYSHO]

Getting the trans out is the easy part... It is just putting it all back together.

Especially when you take it out the fenderwell.

 

[CiscOsys311]

I have started. But I have been stopped on the early stages. The Y PIPE is killing me. I went out and got a torch and heated up the bolts but they are AWEFUL to start out with. Rusted silly. I heated them up and the stud turns with the nut. 1 or 4 of the hard to get manifold nuts. I`m working on the easiest one to get to right now. Hatin life when I get to the others that will be hard to get the torch on. I am pretty darn sure that I will be cutting most of them off and going with new studs..... my backs on the wall already... errrrrr

 

[Racer X]

Why are you dropping the Y-pipe?

 

[masho95]

Why are you dropping the Y-pipe?

Did you read any of the thread? He's changing the clutch.