Clutch alignment w/o tool

phydeaux · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:48 pm Post subject: Clutch alignment w/o tool

Defaulting to the pros on this one. About to tackle a clutch replacement on our Chevy W4500 box truck at work. Transmission as an Aisin 450-43LE. The dealer does not offer an alignment tool, says a part number doesn't even exist. He said his techs used and old input shaft sawed off. So the question is, will a universal alignment tool work on this big SOB? Also, will the old school trick of replacing the bolts with some 8"ers and sliding the beast back work? Or will I have to bite the bullet and actually bench press this thing on a gravel driveway? Boss refuses to source this job out. Thanks for the advice.

Paul P · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 5:25 pm Post subject:

Hit the bone yard and cut one off.

af2 · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:34 pm Post subject:

I never had an alignment tool when changing clutches in the 70's. I used my first one in 82 and threw it in the garbage.
Just measure with your fingers the distance around the flywheel and you will find it better than any tool out there.

Paul P · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:08 pm Post subject:

I used to use my finger on the 80 Datsun I had many moons ago. He He... Laughing

clay · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 7:45 pm Post subject:

This thread could take a strange turn.......😄

af2 · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:43 pm Post subject:

Lord, forgive me............

I meant the distance to the clutch disc from the fly wheel edge.

af2 · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:44 pm Post subject:

10sec.et · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:28 pm Post subject:

lol

fingers are the way to go. cant get it close enough with the tool.

phydeaux · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 10:49 am Post subject:

It dawned on me this morning that I work at a machine shop:

Big Dave · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 12:29 pm Post subject:

My fingers salute you!

Big Dave

phydeaux · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 12:40 pm Post subject:

phydeaux · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 2:04 pm Post subject:

More machining fun:

Removing flywheel dowel pins made easy.

1. find scrap aluminum and cut off a small piece to use as a block.

2. drill a hole just slightly larger than the dowel pin.

3. without moving the table, place flywheel on setup with dowel pin in the new hole.

4. block up the other side and clamp 'er down.

5. Drill through flywheel 'till you hit harder metal, remember to stop at harder metal.

6. Unclamp and punch dowel through the freshly drilled hole.

10sec.et · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:18 pm Post subject:

hey man, send me a text some time. ive got some tool holders for a big lathe you might be able to use.

af2 · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 9:12 pm Post subject:

How are you going to keep the new dowels in place?

10sec.et · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 9:51 pm Post subject:

Adam, i think what he meant is stick the punch through the drilled hole and knock the dowels out the front. at least, he better disgusted