My sick clutch takes a 4 count to hook up

[Andy D]

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

About '69, i did my 1st clutch job on a 57 Chevy PU. IIRC. I did the whole 9 yds then. BTW, how did the plate only job work out? Do you remember how it drove?

I am just a newbie here, apologies for any ruffled feathers

 

[shovelmike]

The car drove fine with just a disc change, the pressure plate and flywheel were excellent. The clutch wasn't slipping when I tore it down, I had heated it up a bit and glazed the disc, and it wasn't engaging with a solid bang when power shifting. I was in Automotive Technology classes back then and had access to a well equipped shop with a lift, so figured why not freshen it up a bit.
If they make you buy the whole shebang now of days it's kind of a rip off. sometimes you get a situation like that,or a disc that got oil soaked from a bad rear main.

 

[Andy D]

I spent the wee smalls, searching what I assume will be needed to be replaced. You can get just a disc at Auto Zone and parts on line. Re, your Belair, I can remember my brother making a new pilot bushing out of a piece of brass for his '56 on a lathe. The bearing supports and centers the input shaft. Kinda sorta, once the clutch and P plate are bolted to the flywheel, amd the trans is bolted to the engine, then the precision of the pilot is done. So unless the pilot bearing comes out because it is welded to the input, its gonna get a lick and a promise. mebbe a hit with a grease needle. Ive got a few things to take off. After New Years, I am gonna block up the Ranger until it is 2 feet in air on all 4 corners Then I gonna rig my portable garage over it. I dont care if it takes me all freaken winter, I'll bumble along until I get it to work. This is just arm chair musings, what happens usually ends up differently.