Clutch swap with FRPP intake manifold

Rick Simons

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2019
Posts
250
Reaction score
61
I'm getting ready to pull the trans to replace the throwout bearing that just starting making noise, and of course with 127k on the clock I'll replace all of the clutch components while I'm in there. The only thing that concerns me is that the top rear of the intake manifold is very close to the firewall (1/2"+/-), and because of this I'm not sure I'll be able to drop the rear of the engine far enough to access the upper bellhousing bolts with the intake in place. Anyone out there done a clutch replacement with this intake manifold in place? It won't bother me to remove it if necessary, but I don't want to do the extra work if I can help it. Thanks for any relevant input!
 

RED09GT

Equal Opportunity Offender
S197 Team Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Posts
2,630
Reaction score
488
Location
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Me too,
For the time it takes to remove the manifold, it saves so much aggravation when removing the top 2 bolts.
With practice, it is pretty easy to get it off in ~10 minutes.
 

Mustang dog

forum member
Joined
Apr 24, 2016
Posts
172
Reaction score
19
Make sure you space out your throwout bearing. My new TOB and clutch assembly had the TOB 100,000" out of spec. I contacted Mcleod and they advised to install a clutch pedal limiter/stop. Yes the TOB's are that sensitive to range. I thought it was "close enough:".
 

Rick Simons

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2019
Posts
250
Reaction score
61
Make sure you space out your throwout bearing. My new TOB and clutch assembly had the TOB 100,000" out of spec. I contacted Mcleod and they advised to install a clutch pedal limiter/stop. Yes the TOB's are that sensitive to range. I thought it was "close enough:".
Is that 100,000" as in .100"? What is this spec?
 

Rick Simons

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2019
Posts
250
Reaction score
61
Seems to me the TOB position would be self-adjusting since it has a spring inside that keeps it extended. If I'm wrong I'm open to correction. IMHO one more reason to stick with an OEM TOB.
 

Midlife Crises

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2019
Posts
1,836
Reaction score
1,253
Seems to me the TOB position would be self-adjusting
The hydraulic throw out bearing is self adjusting. You just don’t want it at the end of its travel. I don’t remember where I saw a Ford procedure for measuring the TOB preload with a 3650 but the spec. was about one inch. The Ford, the Exedy and the McLoed TOB are the same length.
 

cgornowich

forum member
Joined
Mar 11, 2013
Posts
63
Reaction score
7
Location
Washington DC area
The trick to unbolting the bellhousing from the engine block is a LONG socket extension, I used a 36" one with with a "universal joint". I have a different intake, a saleen supercharger, and it's very close to the firewall like yours. And this worked for me.
 

MrAwesome987

forum member
Joined
Mar 6, 2019
Posts
936
Reaction score
292
Location
Upstate SC
When I removed mine I used a super long extension as well. It's about 3ft long as well, and then used a universal on it, and then another shorter extension, and then another universal with the socket.
 

Rick Simons

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2019
Posts
250
Reaction score
61
Thanks to everyone for the input. I'm leaning towards getting them from the top as I can't even see them from below.
 

Midlife Crises

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2019
Posts
1,836
Reaction score
1,253
If you pull the battery and tray you can reach down and touch the top right bolt.
 

Deon Lee

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2021
Posts
21
Reaction score
10
Location
Mississippi
Yea I’ve gotten so good at taking off my manifold I can do it in about 15 min now and that’s with taking the strut tower brace off and all the nitrous lines that are added in the way. Takes about the same amount of time to put it back on. There’s only ten 10mm bolts holding the manifold on. And you got 2 10mm bolts on one fuel rail and 2 8mm bolts on the other fuel rail. Other than that just the intake tube/cold air intake and wires
 

Support us!

Support Us - Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Sponsor Links

Banner image
Back
Top