292 with a 12" clutch?


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By MetalMike13 - 13 Years Ago
OK, here's the question folks.........



I have a 292 Y in my 61 F-100. I have the factory light duty 3 speed trans and column shift. Stock, this had a 10 1/2" clutch. What i found in my truck is a 10 1/2" clutch. However the only available "off the shelf" replacement clutch sets are 12". All the parts stores list this set by application for the 292 Y block. I am sure that i could find a replacement setup using the 10 1/2" components, but I just want to know if this is possible. The diaphragm/pressure plate assembly is obviously larger in diameter than stock. So as i am looking at this, the flywheel will accommodate the 12" setup. I could have the machine shop drill the flywheel accordingly to allow the pressure plate to bolt up ( there is plenty of meat). It looks like the starter will clear the pressure plate, and if the pressure plate doesn't interfere with the bell-housing as it spins, it looks like this setup will work. I have searched here, and haven't found anything specifically addressing the bell-housing or starter clearance. IF this works it would be great, as you would have a ton more clamping area over the stock setup.



So, Is this possible? Has anyone done this successfully? If so, what mods did you need to do? If this doesn't work, why?
By charliemccraney - 13 Years Ago
That clutch is not correct for pickup applications and I don't know if it is correct for any Y Block application really. The bolt pattern is different. This doesn't mean it can't work and I can't tell you if it will fit inside the bellhousing.



Correct clutches for these trucks are difficult to find. You will probably need to go to a place that specializes in clutches. I found a correct stock replacement at Carolina Clutch.
By Hoosier Hurricane - 13 Years Ago
School buses, dump trucks, farm trucks, etc with the HD 292 had 12" clutches.  Probably what the parts store guys are finding when they look up trucks.  Try passenger car applications of the period, you'll probably find the 10.5.  Their listing should include the spline size for reference. 
By charliemccraney - 13 Years Ago
Passenger car stuff will have either too small an input shaft so the pressure plate will bolt up (but still won't fit because the fingers are too close together) and the disc will not fit or the disc will fit but the pressure plate won't bolt up, similar to the 12" option that comes up for the trucks.

I always heard that big block clutches will work, so I did try a couple different applications and they were all the same story, the pressure plate doesn't fit though the spline size and count works. Either they are actually too big or they have the wrong part listed, as they do for our trucks. That doesn't mean it isn't out there. At that time, nobody seemed to know with certainty what else does fit. I decided to give up on the wild goose chase and order one direct from a company that specializes in clutches.

If anyone knows of an option that is more readily available and does fit, let us know.



And, you know, 10 years ago, the correct one was in the system, because I got one from Autozone.
By Hoosier Hurricane - 13 Years Ago
So does the light duty truck trans have the same 1 1/4" spline as the big trucks?  If so, pre '49 Ford cars used that spline, maybe one of them had a 10 1/2" clutch.  If it has the 1" spline, then passenger car '49 and later would work.
By charliemccraney - 13 Years Ago
They are 1 3/8 - 10 spline.
By 46yblock - 13 Years Ago
charliemccraney (2/16/2012)


Correct clutches for these trucks are difficult to find. You will probably need to go to a place that specializes in clutches. I found a correct stock replacement at Carolina Clutch.

That is what I have thought also, hard to find.  So I have what looks like a new pressure plate for a 61-64 pickup.  Problem is someone left it sitting in a bad place, and about a fourth of the plate has rusted.  Is anyone looking for good cores, either business or individual.  Cant remember how many I've thrown away Crying .    

By gekko13 - 13 Years Ago
MetalMike: If you live in or near a reasonably large metropolitan area, you should be able to have your parts rebuilt.   Typically these are heavy duty truck shops.  They can reline your disc and the pressure plate can be refreshed as needed.  Have the flywheel resurfaced too.  Use new high strength fasteners and a new throw-out bearing.  Don't forget the pilot bushing in the back of the crank while you are at it.  This should give you many miles of satisfactory service.  Finally, IMO, you may want to seek another parts store. 
By Y block Billy - 13 Years Ago
The heavy duty trucks used the 1 3/8" x 10 spline normally in 11 & 12 " dia, the lighter duty used 1 1/16" X 10 spline in 10 & 10.5". The only place to get them is through NAPA. I went through this recently trying to get one from Autowise, they called the distributor because they had one listed and the distributor told them they could not sell them that size clutch I would have to get it through NAPA. Evidently NAPA has a contract with the distributor which only allows them to offer that size clutch.
By charliemccraney - 13 Years Ago
I just went to check my sanity and my 3 speed is definitely 1 3/8-10 spline. I bought 2 clutches for the same application, '61 F100, 292, 3spd and both clutches fit that transmission, both are 11" - I still have those, too. Spline size wasn't an option when I ordered. And all of the clutches which were suppose to be correct according to the application but weren't did have 1 3/8-10 spline.

I also saw that the transmission has C3... part numbers on the case, front bearing retainer, and tailshaft housing so it is not a '61 transmission.

I have a 4 speed I pulled from a '58 or so F350 which also has a 1 3/8 10 spline. I also have another truck 3speed but it's still mounted to an engine but the case is entirely different from the other and there's too much crud to read the numbers.

According to my '61 shop manual, an F100 or F250 with the 8-cylinder engine has a 10.5" clutch. An F100 or F250 with the 4speed (optional for a 223 6-cylinder) or 4-wheel drive had the 11" clutch. 350 and bigger trucks have 11", 11.5" or 12" - I won't outline it all here. The spline dimensions are not indicated.

Since my transmission is not from '61, I don't think I can guarantee that it is 1 3/8-10. But I had not heard that there are other sizes until today. Considering that I ordered 2 clutches almost 8 years apart for the same application which each produced the same dimension product, I would almost be willing to put money on it that 1 3/8-10 is correct.

You know what, I'm going to ask Numberdummy over on fte. - His books don't indicate the size.

Napa online list the same 12" clutch for my truck and it is incorrect.
By Y block Billy - 13 Years Ago
Charlie you are correct in that they did make large 1.375 x 10 spline for some light duty's, now that I think of it my 58 truck had the big spline with the small diameter clutch, that was an oddity I came across.
By pintoplumber - 13 Years Ago
My '54 f100 has the 1 3/8" 10 spline light duty trans. It had a 10" clutch, I went to 11" thanks to Kevin.
By Park Olson - 13 Years Ago
FWIW,,,the bellhousing in my F600 with a 12' clutch has cast # of TEAL 7505B, it has a bolt pattern for a Clark 5 speed.
By ray - 13 Years Ago
I have a 10 1/2" assembly that I removed from an engine out of a '56 F100 with three speed tranny. I never drove the truck as I bought the engine when the guy went darkside on his truck. The clutch has obviously been replaced and the wear lining surfaces of the disk have not fully worn in yet. Springs and spacers all seem tight. Throwout bearing included is tight and smooth. Spline for the main drive is 1 3/8" If you're interested I can send pictures. $50. plus shipping from 37874
By MetalMike13 - 13 Years Ago
I pulled my bell-housing off to clean it up before going back into the truck......It has the casting #TAAM 7505-B. My machinist said that he would re-drill my flywheel for $40, so i said go ahead and we will try this experiment, and see if there is any interference.
By MetalMike13 - 13 Years Ago
For the record......



The 12" clutch and pressure plate Physically fit and will rotate without ANY interference with the bell-housing, dust shield, starter, throwout arm, throwout bearing, input shaft etc. The throwout bearing and pilot bushing included in the kit visually appear and fit like the ones that were removed. With this installed, the throw out arm is straight, or perpendicular to the center-line of the engine. The only issue that i can foresee is possible adjustment of the throw out arm/linkage. However that being said there appears to be more than enough adjustment on the linkage.



Remember this was tested with a truck bell-housing and the light duty 3 speed transmission from a stock 61 F100. Obviously the flywheel will have to be re-drilled to mount the larger pressure plate. My engine shop recommended re-balancing the flywheel with the pressure plate mounted to alleviate any balance issues.
By Y block Billy - 13 Years Ago
Mike, although the 12" will give exceptional clamping force, it will rob HP to turn that extra mass. beyond 11" probably isn't necessary unless you are driving a big rig. Yes have it balanced with pressure plate.