[Black Bullitt]

No, I noticed, too. I just decided not to bring it up.

[moosenuk17]

i noticed it this morning but didnt say anything cuz i think the poster had a question

[Ryan Paymaster]

A lot of people seem to say go with a Ford Throwout Bearing. Is this true? I ordered the Spec Stage 3+ kit.

I have a Ford Pilot Bearing in the mail.

[01brknGT]

Originally Posted by B0B update: the spec clutch was GARBAGE. i had to pull it out re-do everything. i got a fidanza 2.1 and put it in and it is awesome. a couple things i think are important to add after doing it again: when you tighten the pressure plate down, torque all the bolts twice, in a criss cross pattern and don't tighten them all down all the way the first time around. also, when you clean the pressure plate, clutch disc, and flywheel, clean them before you put them in and also as you're about to mount them because grease from your hands can get on them when you're moving them around under your car. use break cleaner, i was told that if you use acetone it may not take all the cosmalene off the parts

how is the new 2.1 clutch holding up? i just ordered mine the other day and was wondering how much you like it

[01brknGT]

is he still active on the forum?

[B0B]

sorry, yes i'm still active but i didn't see that post.. the 2.1 has been an awesome clutch. i have no complaints whatsoever. we'll see how it holds up with the new setup but with around 400 to the wheels it grabbed hard and never gave me problems!

[01brknGT]

awesome i just recieved mine today and i wanted to ask you if you used the pilot and tob that came with the kit? if so how are they holdin up

[B0B]

yes i used their bearings. they are much better than the spec ones. that clutch has about 15k on it and i've never heard any noise coming from the tob or pilot bearing

[01brknGT]

very very good info thanks a lot man. I called AM and the tech said i shouldnt worry about there bearings going out so, sounds like the best kit for our stangs as far as i can tell. I mean Besides centerforce of course.

[SLICKS]

Great piece! Makes me want to go change my clutch. Doing this probably saves the consumer big bucks $$$$ you know how techs are.. ummm while we were replacing your clutch we noticed your leaking oil and come to find out you need a new oil pump.. and on top of that we noticed a tick and you need an engine rebuild. blah

[chrishaught]

Great post, the pics were a bonus and well executed. This is a great guide for the do-it-your-selfer.

That being said, replacing the clutch is ridiculously hard if you do not have the right gear/tools or if you are not anticipating some extraneous variables. If you do not have every extension/tool it will be arduous and not worth your time. Find a friend that has the tools or take it to a shop and pay for the labor.

I just replaced my clutch (01' GT stock w TR-3650) with a stage 1 kit. I ran into these problems in no particular order:

1. My original clutch lasted 133,000 miles and I did not account for the "fusing" of the exhaust manifold bolts. My exhaust was stock and two of the nuts on the exhaust manifold were "fused" to the exhaust manifold bolts. This problem accounted for 3 hours of combined labor to rectify. Prepare for this if you drive an older mustang. You will have to take off the exhaust and starter when changing the clutch. I had to saw off a fused bolt/nut and install a new one.

2. PLEASE do yourself a favor and drain the transmission fluid before you attempt to change the clutch. Doing so makes the transmission lighter and saves you the pain of having transmission fluid all over your shirt

3. Putting the transmission back on is a pain in the *&% if you are doing the job with the engine in. Use a jack to stabilize the transmission and ensure that the wiring harnesses are secured and not in the way. The main harness will pose a problem if left unsecured. It will get caught up top when you are trying to put the transmission back in. The transmission is "V" shaped on a manual so I cut a wood block in a "V" shape to use on the jack to support it. Not sure if this is best method but it worked ok for me.

4. You will need to do a tranny flush because you will lose fluid when dropping the tranny. I bought 4 quarts of mercon V... you will need most of it, roughly 3.5 guarts.

5. Obviously, you will need a new flywheel or you will need to machine your old flywheel to go with your new clutch. I got my old one machined - cost $35.

6. Do not ever take shortcuts. If you encounter a problem, rectify it to the full extent. It will benefit you down the road. Get a friend to help you... it is a 2/3 person job to get er done in a decent time frame.

GOOD LUCK!

[Everett]

wow,,,,good write up

[brimmer555]

So how different is this write up with picture from doing my 1989 Mustang GT. and what's a real good transmission fluid for my 5-speed transmission i'm installing a King Cobra Clutch kit an flywheel.

i'm not finding much when I look this up. I must be looking in the wrong area or using the wrong search works.

Thank you for your help.

[FR999]

Thank's for the post, it was a big help when I did my clutch.

[BaznastyDave]

subscribe for later

[brimmer555]

dooody i'm so high hehehe

[ChainedMayhem]

Can someone make a list of tools I would need for my 03 gt and would I have to take the starter out on it?

[dark star]

Very nice writeup.

[dark star]

Dp

[blacksslumina]

Originally Posted by ChainedMayhem Can someone make a list of tools I would need for my 03 gt and would I have to take the starter out on it?

yes starter comes out on mine which is an 04 the starter has 3 bolts. the top is a pain to get to.