Clutch install, need help!!

BMOREstang · May 10, 2009

:coffee: Ok guys, so I have been workin on this stupid thing all weekend and have been going back and forth to the parts store. I still dont have the transmission off of the car (1997 cobra), but I only have 3 bolts left on the passenger side, however the last one is on top of the transmission. My question is to anybody who has changed their clutch out before, how the hell did you get this bolt off!!!!! :BangHead: Also one more thing, I bought everything for the install except the dagon OEM clutch cable, and all the dealerships were closed yesterday when I realized I forgot to buy it, so I settled for a zoom clutch cable from advanced auto. Has any body ever had any experience with zoom clutch cables? It says made in taiwan so thats why I am a just little hesitant lol, but I really need to get this thing done by tomorrow. thanks in advance

Paul · May 10, 2009

OEM Ford clutch cables are superior to aftermarket, and less prone to breakage.

The top bolts can be removed with a socket, swivel, and an extension. Sometimes you can even get them from the engine compartment with a ratcheting wrench.

Paul.

uncltrvlnmatt · May 10, 2009

When I did my clutch (97 Cobra) I used about 2 feet of extensions and a universal socket on the top bolts. I made it that long so I could get it from behind the trans as straight as possable.

Win · May 10, 2009

Yeah get some extensions. When i did mine i used my 1/2" drive ratchet with my 1/2" to 3/8" impact adapter then a 12" and a 6" and it came off just fine. Just take some time. Your probably going to get really frustrated as did i since i had to do the whole damn thing by myself with a blown floor jack so i ended up man handling the tranny out and back in. You wanna talk about fun

uncltrvlnmatt · May 11, 2009

95convgt said:
Yeah get some extensions. When i did mine i used my 1/2" drive ratchet with my 1/2" to 3/8" impact adapter then a 12" and a 6" and it came off just fine. Just take some time. Your probably going to get really frustrated as did i since i had to do the whole damn thing by myself with a blown floor jack so i ended up man handling the tranny out and back in. You wanna talk about fun

That aint nothing. Try working around an H-Pipe that would not come apart. I had a whole 6-8 inches of space to get the clutch in and out.

blown98gt · May 11, 2009

use stock ford clutch cable

and i used an open wrench but use whatever you can to get in there.

Venom351R · May 12, 2009

Those top bolts are a PITA to get to but its not impossible. Ive done it on my 95 GT before and my friends 03 Cobra, as mentioned we just used extensions and swivels. Keep stabbing the socket up there you will know when you get on it.

BMOREstang · May 12, 2009

lol ok guys thanks for the replies. I did get the bolt out.......but not till a few days later (really pissed lol), bolt actually stripped and I had to get a reverse socket set to get it son of a bitch out. NOW that I just got it out the transmission will not come out (lol F*ck!) and I am wondering if I have to take the starter out too for the tranny to slide out. Please reply asap I am gonna eat some dinner then come back to the stupid tranny and see if it wants to come out lol. Thanks

Paul · May 12, 2009

You have to pull the starter to get the bellhousing off anyway, so yes, take it off. However, the trans will come out without removing it.

If you lift and yank on the trans, it should pop right out. Don't drop it, that's hurts. Ask me how I know.

Paul.

BMOREstang · May 12, 2009

Wait lol, so do you have to pull it out or not, it seems just as frikn hard to take the starter out. And how do you know lol

uncltrvlnmatt · May 12, 2009

Yes you need to remove the starter. The bell housing also has guide dowls that could suck just as much as the top bolts. You will just have to work at it.

Paul said:
You have to pull the starter to get the bellhousing off anyway, so yes, take it off. However, the trans will come out without removing it.

If you lift and yank on the trans, it should pop right out. Don't drop it, that's hurts. Ask me how I know.

Paul.

If I remember properly the trans to bell housing bolts go from the inside of the bell housing into the trans, so it has to come out as a single unit.

uncltrvlnmatt · May 12, 2009

Yes you have to remove the starter. You do it with a bunch of extensions just like the top trans bolts. I got the top bolt out by running an extension from between the front of the engine and the radiator.

BMOREstang · May 12, 2009

OK, I got 2 bolts out of the starter and the transmission still will not come out, is there 2 bolts on the starter or 3(the starter wont come off either)? Also do you need to take out the 2 bolts on the opposite side of the bellhousing that go through the thin plate.

Paul · May 12, 2009

You have a T45, right? My bad. They're different than T5s used in the 5.0s.

The trans and bell come out together as an assembly.

uncltrvlnmatt · May 13, 2009

BMOREstang said:
OK, I got 2 bolts out of the starter and the transmission still will not come out, is there 2 bolts on the starter or 3(the starter wont come off either)? Also do you need to take out the 2 bolts on the opposite side of the bellhousing that go through the thin plate.

Yes, 3 bolts on the starter. There is one on the very top. You need to feel for it. Like I said earlier, you need to do the long extension deal.

Venom351R · May 13, 2009

If you thought the top bellhousing bolts were bad the starter is much more of a PITA

BMOREstang · May 13, 2009

Venom351R said:
If you thought the top bellhousing bolts were bad the starter is much more of a PITA

lmao (actually more like crying lol) Your are so right. Today is the second day I have spent a whole night trying to get ONE bolt out on the starter to no avail. I have everything out and one frikn bolt is holding me back, I cannot put into words how pissed I am. I wanted to get the car done sunday and tomorrow is pretty much the last day I have. My uncle is supposed to come over tomorrow and take the last bolt off so hopefully I will be good from there. Although any suggestions on the starter are definitely welcome!!!!!!

uncltrvlnmatt · May 13, 2009

How did you try to get it out?

I used a couple extensions with a 6 point socket.

The aluminum is a part of the problem. The whole dis-simuler metals thing corroding the bolts in place. Make sure you put never-seize on the bolts when you put it back together.

BMOREstang · May 13, 2009

I will definately put the antiseize on when im done, but I wanna just put the two bolts back on lol. I am using a 2 foot extension and 1 or 2 swivels to get the bolts off. It worked for the first two but the last one is a biatch, my dad tried to get it off and he could not do it either, after that I said F it ill be back here tomorrow.

Paul · May 13, 2009

I usually get it from the front of the motor with like two or three feet of extensions. That's always been the easiest for me on stock k-member cars.

Luckily most of my cars have tube k-members, so the top bolt is easy. :grin: