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?

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.


Lawrenceville, GA

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. 

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

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.


Lawrenceville, GA

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.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

They are 1 3/8 - 10 spline.


Lawrenceville, GA

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 .    

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

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. 

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.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?

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.


Lawrenceville, GA