Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Ok, I always read in books and manuals that when you do clutch work, you need to make sure you allign ( as in centering, not orientation) the disk the right way when reassembling. For a guy restoring his car in his garage, without fancy tools, what is the best way to correctly allign/center the cluth disk with the rest of the assembly (tranny, pressure plate, flywheel, bearing)?????

Thanks everyone!
Jorge

I've always used a deep dish socket on an extension - You can find usually find a 3/8ths drive the diameter of the pilot bushing that will fit inside a 1/2 inch drive with the same diameter as the clutch disc. Best is if you have a spare transmission input shaft, but I've never had one handy when I needed to do a clutch.

You can pick a clutch alignment tool up for a couple of bucks at the local auto parts store. I really think one for a Z car will work but I could be wrong. It is just a piece of plastic that is molded to fit in the back of the crank with the pilot bushing in place and ribbed so the clutch disc slides on to it and is centered perfectly. You put the pressure plate on and torque it to specs and then remove the alignment tool by pulling it out. You can try Brian's idea but I have always used an alignment tool. Really a pretty cheap investment.

Steve

I picked up my plastic clutch alignment tool at the Autozone for $4.

Just make sure you have a torque wrench set to the right torque setting when putting onthe those flywheel bolts. Holler if you need the torque poundage. I just don't have off the top of m head.

I bolted all the nuts clockwise. You need a buddy to lock/immobilize the flywheel with a big flathead screwdriver.

BTW: Just so it is said, always store your torque wrench locked at 0 lbs. to maintain the springs.

I can't remember the number of times I've done a 2-man job by putting a socket or box wrench (not open-end) on one end of a bolt and then doing my thing on the other end. I would probably work it out by wedging a long 1/2" drive handle (with appropriate socket) on the front pulley nut and then torquing the flywheel and pressure plate bolts. That was probably the way I used to do it as I didn't have much help at home.

Also works removing nuts from bolts when you can't reach both ends from the same spot.

Brian, Steve, Minh, and Bucky:

Thank you all for your inputs. Believe me, I will follow these advices this weekend when I get time to "play" with it. I'll keep you all posted on the results, but I wanted to thank you in advance for your help.

Wish me luck@!!!!!!!!!

Oh! One more thing.......once I put it in place, is there a way to test it and make sure is correct?

Later!

Jorge

My bit of advice, which I think I have posted here before. I did the alignment with a tool that sorta fit. I think it was for a ford so I did a bit of trial and error when attempting to slide the tranny and motor together. Once I added my guide bolts, it was much easier. Get some long bolts that match the tranny mount ones, cut the head off and thread them into the motor. just lift the tranny on to the studs and slide it together. It worked for me, and made it much easier.

Go to my site for the the link for a photo of what I am talking about.

esmeby:

Thank you very much for your advise. I was actually looking and found the perfect fit long bolts after reading your message. I will follow your advise man! Thanks again for your contribution to my project.

Jorge