Yesterday I was able to test the Ford disk clutch in the pressure plate/flywheel assembly.
Some measurements
| Patrol | FORD |
Diameter | 10 7/8" (275mm) | 11" (279.4) |
Thickness | 0.374" (9.5mm) | 0.374" (9.5mm) |
As you see from the above measurements, the Ford disk is 0.173" (4.4mm) bigger, or 0.087" (2.2mm) bigger showing on each side of the pressure plate
1 Pressure Plate.JPG
2 Ford Clutch Disk.JPG
3 Patrol Clutch Disk.JPG
It is very difficult to measure the clearance between the disk and the cover when assembled. Unfortunately I forgot to take the following picture with the Ford disk. There is big chance that it will rub on the pressure plate cover. Also, almost impossible to properly center it with the flywheel outside. One way to check could be to dismantle the pressure plate completely, and start checking without the pressure applied or just looking how the disk fits inside the cover. In the past, I have rebuild the pressure plate by taking it apart completely, but it requires a press to apply pressure to the plate where the throw-out bearing will be, to allow for an easy dismantling without components jumping in your face.
4 Clearance.JPG
The following picture is an overall view, showing where the previous picture was taken
5 Overall view.JPG
Some comments:
Personally, I will not have a problem trying to make the Ford clutch disk work. A couple of members have done it, and one has even used a Ford pressure plate in addition (member Pancho that doesn't have a Patrol anymore). Neither of the members have post anything regarding the process, other than they were able to use it. If the disk starts rubbing on the cover, the clutch won't disengage properly and you'll start eating the synchro rings. But, little by little it will rub less and less.
There might be a way of shaving 1/16" of the the disk or even less, that will reduce its diameter to 10 7/8". Maybe placing the clutch in a lathe. All these ideas will work if you have a lathe. I don't think anybody will do that job, and the cost of it will defy the purpose.
As member
faux40 has suggested, sending the disk for a rebuild might be a reasonable option.
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