My sick clutch takes a 4 count to hook up

[Andy D]

I know the clutch is bad and needs replacement. I am just commenting on its symptoms. Right now, if I put it in gear after a cold start, I can let the clutch out all the way and it will just sit there. After a 4 count, something takes up and away we go. Reminds me of a Torque flite running a pint low. The clutch engages at the very top, and chatters if you give it too much gas. So I've been thinking about hydraulic clutches. The slave cyl. is like a caliper. A caliper piston can stick. Could a slave cyl. stick?

 

[adsm08]

The short answer is no.

A caliper doesn't have a spring pushing back against it like the slave does.

 

[Hahnsb2]

I had a similar problem with my old FM146. Let the clutch out fast and it would engage very slowly, let it out at a normal pace and it was fine. I attributed the problem to the bellhousing coming loose (your tranny does not have a removable bellhousing). I don't know exactly what a problem was because eventually both the tranny and 2.9 were replaced with a 4.0/M5OD.

Perhaps there's a problem in the master and it's not allowing the fluid to come back up and into the reservoir?

 

[LearjetMinako]

Sounds like you need a new clutch and slave cylinder. May want to check the master cylinder first, because it seems its not holding pressure.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Sounds like you need a new clutch and slave cylinder. May want to check the master cylinder first, because it seems its not holding pressure.

It's holding pressure just fine, that's the problem.

 

[Andy D]

I had a similar problem with my old FM146. Let the clutch out fast and it would engage very slowly, let it out at a normal pace and it was fine. I attributed the problem to the bellhousing coming loose (your tranny does not have a removable bellhousing). I don't know exactly what a problem was because eventually both the tranny and 2.9 were replaced with a 4.0/M5OD.

Perhaps there's a problem in the master and it's not allowing the fluid to come back up and into the reservoir?

The entire trans falling off the engine might do what I am experiencing . Thanks, hadn't thought of that scenario. Though I've seen little evidence of it , the PO said the engine had been swapped. Hmmmn.

 

[shovelmike]

It doesn't sound to me like a master or slave cylinder issue as much as just slippage of the disc. When you do the clutch make sure there is no oil getting on the clutch from a leaky rear main seal. With that much slippage I would see if the flywheel needs resurfaced, as well as replacing the pressure plate assembly.

 

[adsm08]

With that much slippage I would see if the flywheel needs resurfaced, as well as replacing the pressure plate assembly.

WTF third world country are you from where those aren't part of any normal clutch job?

I don't think I can even buy a clutch disk for any of my vehicles that doesn't come with a pressure plate.

 

[gjm4l]

WTF third world country are you from where those aren't part of any normal clutch job?

I don't think I can even buy a clutch disk for any of my vehicles that doesn't come with a pressure plate.

Thats very Peculiar...

 

[shovelmike]

Yes, it is in fact peculiar I have definitely purchased a clutch disc without a pressure plate assembly.
I am indeed older that many on this forum, it has been a while, they may not sell them that way anymore, but it used to be an option.
Some may consider Missouri a third world country, but we have indoor plumbing now! LOL

 

[Andy D]

Yes, it is in fact peculiar I have definitely purchased a clutch disc without a pressure plate assembly.
I am indeed older that many on this forum, it has been a while, they may not sell them that way anymore, but it used to be an option.
Some may consider Missouri a third world country, but we have indoor plumbing now! LOL

My intent is to get the truck running better, note I didnt say right. It is gonna be used lightly and locally and mostly driven by me. I drove bugs and Jeeps for 40 yrs, I can deal with flaws that most folks consider un-drive-able. I am hoping to go in, replace just the disc, wouldn't be the first time. I have never had a fly wheel resurfaced, but this thing gets stinky from heat , and chatters with too much gas. I will see. Because the clutch is non-adjustable, if you thin the fly wheel, you have to shim it off the crankshaft hub. So maybe a new flywheel + new ring gear. cut and shim, or nothing. I am not buying a thing until I have the trans out. No real time crunch to get this done. I will just drive my matched set of 88 BMWs until I figure it out

 

[wrecking-crew]

If it gets stinky, you are burning the disk. Replace all the following so you don't end up back in there:
Slave Cylinder
Clutch kit (disk, pressure plate, throwout bearing, pilot bearing)
Flywheel

 

[Andy D]

If it gets stinky, you are burning the disk. Replace all the following so you don't end up back in there:
Slave Cylinder
Clutch kit (disk, pressure plate, throwout bearing, pilot bearing)
Flywheel

Please dont take this the wrong way, but no fooling. I am not very much concerned with doing a proper job. I am reserving judgement until I see what I've got left. But, just because I have yet to R+R anything on the Ranger, doesn't mean I havent done a clutch before. I will be happy to get just a few miles more out of this rig. If it sees the same amount of miles as the Grand Wag got spread over 8 yrs. Less than 10 K, Just a reprieve from the crusher, I'll be happy. Believe me, this truck is a heap. I dont think there is panel that doesnt have a dent or a ding. The bed is on crooked. It took me 5 months to get the wet Golden Retriever presence to subside. My expectations are low. My last Ford was a 75 LTD Squire in Avocado green with the fake wood, the whole package. It was bought to appease the wife god, it was a major mistake . So far, for a beat up , 126 or 226K with a bad clutch , I'm impressed.

I'm just sitting here where it is warm and kicking ideas around. Because I'm not ready to do the job until after the New Year. Mean time, I 'm just shooting the breeze with you guys

 

[adsm08]

Yes, it is in fact peculiar I have definitely purchased a clutch disc without a pressure plate assembly.
I am indeed older that many on this forum, it has been a while, they may not sell them that way anymore, but it used to be an option.
Some may consider Missouri a third world country, but we have indoor plumbing now! LOL

Well I know RSH has done clutches on his family's vehicles where the clutch didn't come with a new pressure plate. But outside of those isolated incidents in Honduras, I haven't heard of a clutch being sold sans plate in my life.

 

[shovelmike]

The plate only clutch job I did was on my 57 Bel-Aire back in '71, so it probably was before you were born.