clutches

[rixxwagon]

hi there I joined this site a few months back, been doing lots of reading and most of my questions answered.But I do have one for now
I have a 57 country sedan wagon 292 v8 3 speed manual,  The question I have is I have a ten inch clutch disc I am changing the trans to a 3.03
tranny, I have a truck flywheel here for a 11 inch clutch can I use this set up with the original bell housing with out any clearance issues

thanks Rick

[59meteor]

Do you know if the 11" flywheel is the same diameter is the same diameter as the 10" unit? If so, I would think the 11" flywheel SHOULD fit, if not, you would need a bellhousing for the 11" flywheel. That said, many years ago, I swapped out the factory 3 speed trans in my 57 Custom, with a 272 Y Block, installing a 3.03 3 speed Toploader. I seem to recall it bolted right up to the factory bellhousing, even  retained the same clutch assembly (10 spline). I don`t recall the vehicle that the 3 speed Toploader came from. In addition to being much stronger than the 57 trans, having a syncronized first gear was much nicer as well. I can`t remember what was needed to secure the Toploader , but it was probably pretty similar to what I did when I installed a 4 speed Toploader and 428 into my 59 2 door sedan earlier this year. I retainer the factory rubber pad, and cut and welded the U shaped retaining strap so that it would bolt up to the transmissions trans mount holes.  I then ground the sides of the rubber mount enough that the modified U strap would fit around the rubber.

[rixxwagon]

the bell housing is my main concern once I get the old trans out I will be able to measure the two.
I also live in surrey so I am local

thanks Rick

[hiball3985]

This will be interesting to find out about. I was going to test this set up but I didn't have time as I needed to get the engine back in while I had a short amount of time to do it. The truck bellhousing is a little deeper then the passenger car so I wasn't sure if the 11" pressure plate would have enough clearance inside.

[rixxwagon]

we will know by the end of winter if everything goes right

[hiball3985]

Just as a note, the 11" flywheel from the truck should work but you can't use a truck pressure plate  it will have to be one for a car or possibly a later then 64 truck or aftermarket..

[rixxwagon]

that's good to know I have a old pressure plate from a 80's ford pick up that I will measure up unfortunately it has a
different bolt pattern than the fly wheel but it should give an idea of the depth.

thanks