20blks

I'm changing my engine on my savage. Should I remove the old clutch bell and shoes or just buy a new set for the new engine? If I use the old one, HOW DO I GET IT OFF OF THE SHAFT?

DaveG55

Well, you're gonna need to take it off to get the flywheel off unless you plan to buy all new stuff. Once you get the engine out of the truck, look at the end of the crankshaft/clutch bell. There should be a screw there. Tak it out and the clucth bell should slide right off. Be sure to note how all the washers, shims, bearings, etc come off so that you can get them back on right. Once you're there you can look at the clutch shoes and see their condition. If they're still good you can reuse them but if you're going with a bigger motor, now would be a good time to upgrade them too. After you get the shoes and springs off take the center nut off and then you'll be able to get the flywheel off. You may need to tap the back of the flywheel or gently pry it off. Once the flywheel is off take off the brass expansion sleeve and you're ready to start reinstalling stuff onto the new motor.

20blks

I'm going with a bigger motor so I'll get a new clutch set. I have the 3 shoe set, is there a bigger one?

MBX5T Maniac

My Feedback: (-1)

if the clutch bell is still in good shape, it's pointless to get a new one

DaveG55

I'm not sure what you mean by a "bigger" clutch set. If you go physically larger you will have problems with fit. Mostly what you change is shoe material and spring tension. The shoe material will effect wear and clutch bell heat and the springs will effect when the shoes engage the clutch bell.
I'm using the stock shoes & springs on my Savage and have had no trouble with it even with though I've upgraded it to the Mach.26. On the other hand, I've put ofna alum shoes on the Mach 26 in my LST. I mostly just bash around and have not really noticed any difference between the two set-ups.

tmodlin

Werks makes a 4 shoe clutch system. The have 3 or 4 different shoe compounds available but they are kind of spendy. Do a search on some of the other forums for results as I have not seen many people talk about it on here.

20blks

I got the clutch bell off and on the new engine. I can't roll the car backwards. Even with the brake released. Did I do something wrong? I also installed the 3 speed trannie. Also, (lol) any tips getting the sts.28 started. I heated it up and all. It runs for a few seconds but when the lower the idle a little, it shuts off.

MBX5T Maniac

My Feedback: (-1)

is it possible that the gear mesh is too tight?

20blks

Damn. I didn't check that. I'll get back to you guys asap.

20blks

The mesh is good. I rotated the trannie both ways before I put it back in. I don't know why it won't go backwards now.

David236

Does the clutch bell spin freely?? And is the gear mesh between the clutchbell and spur gear too tight? When you roll the truck backwards the clutchbell and spur gear should spin freely....

20blks

I just rolled it with my finger. It went a little then it stopped. I'm in the process of breaking in my sts .28, is this normal during break in?

20blks

UPDATE. I remove the motor to check it again and replace the clutch. When I tighten the screw at the end of the shaft/clutch bell, the clutch bell doesn't spin freely. How tight does that screw have to be?

David236

I had the same problem when I changed my clutchbell what I did was I left out one of the flat metal washers.....I'm trying to remember which one it was.....I think it went between the brass spacer and the screw..

20blks

I just left the screw about 1/8 of a turn loose and used locktite. I might try leaving the washer out though.

gerwen

Try to shim it using the washers so that it spins freely, but there isn't much play in the bell. I wouldn't leave the screw loose with locktight to hold it, that screw sees 30000 rpms and all the vibration the engine can dish out.

DaveG55

What he said^^^^
Leaving that screw loose is just asking for all sorts of problems!!
I do not believe that loctite is made to hold bolts on it's own. I believe that it needs to have tension on the threads for it to work properly.

20blks

Is it ok to leave that washer out then?

LaxerMan21

My Feedback: (1)

loctite worked on my clutch bell screw

David236

I think the washer is just there to shim the clutchbell anyway.....I got a new clutchbell and clutch and I had the same problem so I just took the washer out. Have not had any problems..