VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 1946 Fleetmaster Clutch

Greetings all. I am getting slippage in my transmission in third gear and when under load in my '46 Fleetmaster. It has 40k miles on it and I suspect it is the clutch.

I am preparing for the task to replace it. I found a post from 2012 on the forums from a gentleman in Hawaii that was replacing one in his '48 Fleetmaster which I would imagine is the same process. I am more familiar with late 1950s and 1960s GM, so this is a little outside of my wheelhouse so I am trying to prepare for the task ahead of me.

Am I correct that the driveshaft tube does not need to be removed? Can you slip the yoke off the trans and drop it down and out of the way?
Am I also correct that the transmission comes out of the car from the floorboard inside the vehicle?! Looking from under the car, it is my understaning the bell housing mounts to the frame. Any tips or tricks on how to support the engine to remove the bell housing?

Much thanks in advance and hats off to the folks that did this before...

Matt

CM,,

Just remove the transmission cover and do the following:

a. Split the U-Joint and slide the bell back. Take the U-Joint off, in other words.

b. Take the bolts out of the transmission support and where it bolts to the flywheel cover. (two inside and two outside. Take the shift rods loose and the bracket for the vacuum shift.

c. Slide the transmission back and out. You will appreciate a little help here 'couse the stinker is right heavy and awkward when held or being supported.

d. Get a new disc and throw-out bearing (Clutch Release).

e. Examine everything including all the surfaces where the disc touches and have them re-surfaced (ground) if needed. Then reassemble. Have an input shaft or a alignment tool for getting the splines aligned.

Piece 'ah cake."

Good luck with it.

Charlie

BTW: Many of us have the parts you may need. Such as: disc, pressure plate and cover, U-Joint and transmission mount and flywheel. Just put an ad in the "parts wanted" forum down below.

BTW2: If you don't have a manual then you may want to get one and a vacuum adjusting tool while you're at it. A properly adjusted vacuum is a wonderful thing to behold. Is too!

BTW3: I may have missed something important. Others here on the Chat will most likely offer even more and better advice.



.

I do not think you have to remove the bellhousing. If I ever remove one, I put a pc. of pine 2x4 on my floor jack under the oil pan.

Thank you Charlie. Chevy1937, I don't know how one could get the old pressure plate and disc out without removing the bell housing?

The bell housing covers the clutch, etc all forward of the transmission. When you take the transmission out the clutch cover is right there with 6 bolts to the flywheel holding it in place. Take the bolts out and clutch cover with the pressure plate and disc will fall on the ground. That's why you have to have an spline alignment guide when replacing it.

Bell housing does not need to come off: just the four bolts holding the transmission to it.

Best,

Charlie

The bellhousing opening is large enough to undo the clutch cover (pressure plate) bolts allowing it to drop out and the undo the flywheel bolts through the hole for the gearbox and the the flywheel also drops out the bottom.
Tony

Hi Matt,

Glad you found an old 2012 post on the chat site. Reading as many as you can tolerate will help you with your project. I usually print the ones most relevant before doing any major work on my 41. It helps me plan the steps in the process.

I used the SEARCH process with the KEYWORDS +transmission +rebuild with the DISPLAY NAME Mike Buller to remind me what I previously have posted on what I did with my clutch/ pressure plate repairs. They reminded me to NOT do anything with the transmission linkage on the steering column as this affects all shifting issues like the ones you might be having. (In fact what if your issue is just a linkage problem?)

It also reminded me of the importance of reading carefully through my manual to understand the steps involved in removing a transmission, and a set of bolts you can make up (with pictures) in a 2014 post which I have attached.

Engine out, now what?

If you are thorough enough in your research a bonus will be finding what Charlie said in one of his old posts.

Welcome to the chat site, and best wishes,
Mike

P.S. If you become a member of the VCCA you will be able to post pictures along with your questions, get a monthly magazine, and a whole lot more...

Thank you Tony and Charlie. I do have the Service Manual but it never hurts to research over and over to make sure I am good to go. Mike, thank you as well, I have no trouble shifting, it just slips while in third gear and under load, classic sign of a failing clutch. I am a member of the VCCA and enjoy the G&D every month.