I recently purchased a 40 Ford with stock trany and running gear and a SBC. The throwout bearing failed and trashed the pressure plate also. I think it has the WILCO adapter and a Merc pressure plate. In replacing the whole mess I used a 40 throwout bearing. While it went in fine when it is adjusted correctly the return spring in the trany is stretched way out. I had read here to use a 50 Merc bearing but in my research it is the same part number as the 40. Is this correct? Has any one else had this occur? Is it a problem? Have I got the right throwout bearing? Thanks for your help. James
Back when I was running a sbc with the Wilcap adapter I used a 40 throwout bearing and never had a problem. HRP
283, Speed Gems adapter, Merc pressure plate, 39 clutch disc. Regular 39-40 throw out bearing in mine. But, my spring does get stretched pretty damn far. No problems though.
I'm installing this same combo, and all the research I've done, including talking to Wilcap says that the 40 throwout bearing is what to use. I got a high quality federal mogul one from the early ford store, I'm sure most ford vendors have them.
Forgive me if this is a newbie question.. But what year Merc pressure plate? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
1950 Mercury pressure plate bolts right up to a chevy 10 1/2" flywheel. Has the same bolt pattern. Use a 9" flathead clutch disc. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The pilot bearing for the end of the crankshaft is a special piece from what I understand. Not sure where to get it though. I'm sure the hot rod parts suppliers can't help with that. I bought all my stuff together from another HAMBer.
That's what I meant, early ford, the flathead type, the standard 39 trans disc. I think they are actually 9 1/2 inch diameter. Here are a couple pics of a flathead with a wilcap adapter and both types of pressure plates installed. The Ford Pressure plate The Merc pressure plate. This is a Clutch Masters Merc Style PP so it's not the real deal but is similar design/size. You can see the clearance issues. Also you can see why the longer travel of the throw out bearing and the spring getting stretched so far. The Merc PP is much thinner.
Let me jump in and let you all know of a mistake I made... I got a pressure plate that looks exactly like the one above, but come to find out it was for a 3 speed overdrive transmission. This trans has a smaller input shaft, thus, the PP had longer fingers and would not let the ford trans go on! So, make sure its a short finger style.
"That's what I meant, early ford, the flathead type, the standard 39 trans disc. I think they are actually 9 1/2 inch diameter." Don't know if the Wilcap adapter is the same thickness as a 50 Merc, but my avatar car has an 8BA with a stock 40 Ford transmission, a 50 Merc pressure plate with a 10 inch clutch ,a 50 Merc stamped steel bellhousing and a stock 40 Ford throw out bearing. The throw out bearing spring is not stretched. Flywheel is also 50 Merc.
Yeah get my name right Hey we're all supposed to be here to help each other out. That's why this place is so great.
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