International 444 Gas

OK, now that I have my H straightened out I need to focus on my 444, I need to split it to put a clutch pressure plate and rear main seal into it, I have been cautioned about putting clutches into it because getting the motor back onto the transmission can be a bear ( so I am told ) has anyone out there ever done this job before and have any words of wisdom to share??

Hi Metalmender, I have never changed a clutch in a 444 although in the past we owned B414D, 434 and 384 Diesels which all have the same clutches/transmission as your 444. I have adjusted the PTO clutch through the inspection plate at the bottom of bell housing. The more difficult part of 444 is there are two clutches PTO and transmission and there is a gap setting for the the throwout fingers. USING proper SPLITTING STANDS, I have changed clutches on 74 series tractors and I always mount clutch and pressure plate on the PTO and transmission shafts, then put long bolts in the bolt holes as guide pin and that will guide the transmission shaft into the pilot bearing hole. Put some lube in pilot bearing hole. NEVER FORCE the two halves together. If it doesn't go together with just a little force, something is not aligned properly. Next remove the starter and use a pry bar in the flywheel teeth to turn the engine to align the flywheel and pressure plate bolt holes so the bolts can be installed through the inspect plate hole. Then do another revolution of fly wheel and torque bolts to proper spec. The finger adjustment can be done through the inspect hole as well.

Hope this helps.
JimB

Hi, you can place all the clutch and pressure plate on the shaft and bolt the engine to the rear end. If you remove the PTO clutch, make sure to aling the clutch carefully in the center of the pressure plate, before to replace the bolts on the fingers, for that, remove the flywheel, place it on plane surface, put the traction clutch, the plate, belleville spring, plate, PTO clutch, then presure plate, belleville spring and cover.Aling all the parts, put 3, 5/16 long bolts and hand tight to the flywheel. Secure the 3 bolts on the fingers and jam nuts, then adjust the gap. Make sure to adjust the 3 fingers at the same level. The gap for the 3 bolts is .090 inches. Remove the pressure plate, replace the flywheel on the engine crank and finish the job. Bernard le mecano