B-73 Restoration

[mattb73lt]

Yeah, the stories I hear from my friends are frightening. The CSP aren’t even giving an entrance exam anymore. Numbers are way down and retirements are unbelievable.

[mattb73lt]

Minor step backwards yesterday. I had to drop the transmission off the engine to get at the clutch because it wouldn't release. It can be tough putting things together you didn't take apart, because you don't know what is supposed to be there. My engine came from one source the flywheel from another, with a used clutch assembly, and a new clutch from Ft Wayne Clutch in Indiana. It all went together, but wouldn't function. After some questions and a call to Ft Wayne, discovered I was missing all the shims that go under the pressure plate to space it properly. Ft Wayne was VERY helpful, especially since I bought the clutch way back in 2005. So, that fix is enroute. Dropped the driveshaft off at Fleetpride for a few things and that should be back Mon or Tue. That should put the driveline in the completed column late next week or early the following. More steps forward than back, which is always good.

[Terry T]

I've had many business dealing with Ft Wayne Clutch over the past 40ish years.  They've been around for a long time & know their stuff.

[1961H67]

Still looking great, minor bump in the road,, The bright side is the cab is not on yet ! Good thinking to check everything as you go ! 

 

[doubleclutchinweasel]

Ah, yes!  The shims!  That takes me back...

[mattb73lt]

Yeah, that would’ve been a huge pain to fix with the cab on.

[Vmac3]

13 hours ago, mattb73lt said:

Minor step backwards yesterday. I had to drop the transmission off the engine to get at the clutch because it wouldn't release. It can be tough putting stings together you didn't take apart, because you don't know what is supposed to be there. My engine came from one source the flywheel from another, with a used clutch assembly, and a new clutch from Ft Wayne Clutch in Indiana. It all went together, but wouldn't function. After some questions and a call to Ft Wayne, discovered I was missing all the shims that go under the pressure plate to space it properly. Ft Wayne was VERY helpful, especially since I bought the clutch way back in 2005. So, that fix is enroute. Dropped the driveshaft off at Fleetpride for a few things and that should be back Mon or Tue. That should put the driveline in the completed column late next week or early the following. More steps forward than back, which is always good.

Its going to look great when its all complete. I have a question on the locking wire. Was that a standard practice to lock the flywheel bolts back in the day or was it something you decided to do?

I am not being critical, I just want to feed my own curiosity. 

Thanks

V

[mattb73lt]

No worries, I did that. It’s .042” stainless safety wire. I think originally it just had soft wire looped through it. My preference, as my background is more aviation maintenance related.

[doubleclutchinweasel]

Your safety wiring looks good.

[Dirtymilkman]

I think the dog dish flywheels had bolts wired. 

[Brocky]

10 hours ago, doubleclutchinweasel said:

Ah, yes!  The shims!  That takes me back...

I remember having to pull shims on a Brockway gas job in the middle of a Syracuse NY uphill street to get it to go thru the red light!!!

[mattb73lt]

Damn, that was quick!! You gotta love a company that’s great to work with, open to your questions and responsive to your needs!! Talked to them Thursday and here it is Saturday morning. Way to go Ft. Wayne Clutch!!!

What a difference .122” makes in the spacing of the clutch fingers. Lesson learned, there. 

[Brocky]

Those are different than the shims in an early 50's Brockway. Probably a Lipe Clutch(??) that had a half inch stack of .010 to .025 shims held in place on a stud with 9/16 nut in about 6 places around the clutch.. To adjust the clutch you took the nut off and picked out 1 or 2 shims with a screwdriver, a sharp punch, or an awl. 

[Vladislav]

Now it looks like it was possible to install (or remove) those shims with tranny in place. Loosening all the bolts and than taking off one at a time and putting back with a shim.

Would be interesting to learn how Fort Wayne guys calculate what you need of shims to add with a particular flywheel, disc and pressure plate.

[Mark T]

Those stickers are gonna look awesome  on both sides of the hood.

[mattb73lt]

54 minutes ago, Vladislav said:

Now it looks like it was possible to install (or remove) those shims with tranny in place. Loosening all the bolts and than taking off one at a time and putting back with a shim.

Would be interesting to learn how Fort Wayne guys calculate what you need of shims to add with a particular flywheel, disc and pressure plate.

No idea. They had two thicknesses, .122 and .150. The gentleman I spoke to said it was the .122’s, but he checked to make sure anyway. I think you could get them out without dropping the transmission, but it would be quite the job and laced with expletives.

[mattb73lt]

All back together and it functions. Quite stiff with hand pressure, but it’s definitely not a Girlyman truck.

[1961H67]

Moving Forward again! Looking Great! 

[h67st]

[mrsmackpaul]

You were far better to of fixed it now rather than later, well done 

 

Paul 

[mattb73lt]

6 minutes ago, mrsmackpaul said:

You were far better to of fixed it now rather than later, well done 

 

Paul 

As much as I wanted to put the cab on back when I put the engine in, I’m glad I didn’t because this would’ve been a much more difficult fix.

[mechohaulic]

for as many of those spacers i removed/ installed; it took this forum and  50 yrs later to find out  why they were used. no one in the day knew or cared why they were there.

[mattb73lt]

Well, it was a learning point for me. I’ve put many clutches in, but this was the first one that required them. Ft. Wayne said you can pull them when needed to get more life out the clutch as it wears.

[mechohaulic]

when/if you remove them ; don't discard. they work well for top of transmissions;; lines, accy etc hold down brackets. LOL . the wired flywheel bolts = another : OH ya  I remember those also.

[mowerman]

I didn’t know about the spacers either wired bolts yes .., Bob