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wjkrostek 07-15-2012 14:31:59 216.137.232.152 Report to Moderator	I'm having a problem finding the thickness of a 10 inch clutch on my ford 900. I have the tractor split and the clutch and pressure plate looks good and it has about 3/8 inch thickness and I was wondering what the thickness is on a new one? Does anyone have a book or something that will let me know just how worn out it is? It took 40 years to get to where it is and I can't find new liner material. looks like to get it replaced I need to get pressure plate and all. [Reply]   [No Email]
steve n carol 07-20-2012 06:38:19 173.58.26.69 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to wjkrostek, 07-15-2012 14:31:59   Hi Bill, I was following the posts here. It appears that someone knows how to drive this tractor.... a good thing. \ Q) why did you split this tractor in the first place? (I did note that you mentioned removing a piston)....sl   [Reply]  [No Email]
wjkrostek 07-28-2012 12:30:11 216.137.195.243 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to steve n carol, 07-20-2012 06:38:19   I did a stupid thing. I have been butting a magnet in the oil pan. Just seemed like a smart thing to do but I've never found it did any good. Any way in a hurry I just drop the magnet in the drain plug but without thinking I put the powerful side up and not down. So it stuck to the oil tube and blocked the oil. I didn't have a oil gage that worked so I ran it without oil. I'll never do that again so anyway I'm going to have a new engine but mine was already good before I forgot to think.   [Reply]  [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 07-17-2012 07:30:00 205.188.116.9 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to wjkrostek, 07-15-2012 14:31:59   Hello WJKrostek , A new clutch is about 3/8ths of inch thick , I just checked a brand new in the box original Ford disc . You should also see 1/16th inch wear grooves in the facing when the grooves are gone the the disc should be replaced as it will be just about down to the rivets . If it looks good I would run it and not use one of the junk china discs in it , because they will not last 55 years maybe not even 55 days . Thanks Tony   [Reply]  [No Email]
wjkrostek 07-17-2012 13:42:36 216.152.187.162 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to TONY JACOBS, 07-17-2012 07:30:00   Thanks Tony. Thats what I was thinking. Mine is about 3/8 inch now. Can you do me a favor and see if you can measure the distance from the face to the rivets and see just how thick they where when new. Then we will all know for the future. Thanks for your time. Bill.   [Reply]  [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 07-20-2012 04:57:38 205.188.116.9 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to wjkrostek, 07-17-2012 13:42:36   Hello Bill , As best as I can measure the new disc I would say it is 1/16th of an inch of material to wear off to the rivets . Thanks Tony   [Reply]  [No Email]
Mark-Ia 07-16-2012 08:42:17 67.55.246.70 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to wjkrostek, 07-15-2012 14:31:59   If you're using it for work, I'd replace it. If it's just a parade tractor, let it be.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Ultradog MN 07-15-2012 15:52:24 70.56.166.240 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to wjkrostek, 07-15-2012 14:31:59   It looks like Rick gave you some good info. I hear you though. Too many parts changers and too few mechanics. On the other hand, knowing what a PIA it is to split a RC I might just opt for a new disc. I would also replace the input shaft seal/s in the front of the tranny regardless of what you do with the clutch.   [Reply]  [No Email]
RickB 07-15-2012 15:33:52 69.195.55.48 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to wjkrostek, 07-15-2012 14:31:59   Doesn't matter how thick a new one is. Measure from the friction surface down to the rivets. Less than 1/64" toss it. Measure both sides, wear won't be equal. From Part 2, Chapter 1 page 159 of the Ford shop manual for tractors 1955 - 1960. I'd replace the clutch, too, but it's not my tractor.   [Reply]  [No Email]
wjkrostek 07-15-2012 16:25:53 216.137.232.152 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to RickB, 07-15-2012 15:33:52   well I got more than a 64th (thats not a lot) but I'd just like to know how much has been used up in the last 40 years. If I find just the disk I will end up replacing it. Your right about how it doesn't mater what was there just whats left. I was just wanting to judge the amount of ware that has taken place over the years. I only need it another 10 years or so. If someone figures out size let me know and if I end up buying one I'll post it just in case it comes up again. I'm surprised there isn't one on someone's bench as many of these tractors there are around. Thanks to all for your responses.   [Reply]  [No Email]
awhtx 07-15-2012 14:42:49 72.26.142.171 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to wjkrostek, 07-15-2012 14:31:59   If you already have the tractor split why not go ahead and spend $150 for a new clutch disc and pressure plate? I'm sure you can buy just a clutch disc if that's all you want.   [Reply]  [No Email]
wjkrostek 07-15-2012 15:18:53 216.137.232.152 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to awhtx, 07-15-2012 14:42:49   That's the standard answer isn't it? I wasn't brought up that way I guess. There is no guarantee the new one will last any longer than the old one. If it isn't broke why fix it? No one seems to fix stuff any more just replace it. That's part of the down fall of America in my opinion and why we keep buying from China. I see nothing wrong with the parts I have, just might be to thin but I don't know. If I knew what a new one looked like I could make a judgment. Don't take this like I'm jumping on you, I'm not and I thank you for your answer. But then why not just buy a new tractor? I see more new cars broken down on the road or in the shops than you see old ones.(of course there are more of them) Old men like me have to die but not their tractors.   [Reply]  [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 07-17-2012 07:34:57 205.188.116.9 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to wjkrostek, 07-15-2012 15:18:53   I couldn't agree with you more and could not have said it better myself . I don't buy anything from China and go out of my way just so I don't have to and it can be a real pain in the azz but it is worth it to me . Thanks Tony   [Reply]  [No Email]
awhtx 07-15-2012 20:11:11 72.26.142.171 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to wjkrostek, 07-15-2012 15:18:53   I as cheap as anybody around and I don't like to buy un-needed parts either but if your 900 still has the original clutch that it left the factory with then you got at least 55 years of use out of it. I certainly wouldn't re-install a disc that only has 1/64" or 1/32" of lining left until the rivet heads start scoring your flywheel. And just think of all the cycles and heat that the pressure plate springs have been subjected to in 55 years. They don't last forever and you could easily put in a new disc and 6 months later you'd have to split it again because a pressure plate spring collapsed. You've got it split so replace the parts that are designed to wear out like clutch discs, pressure plates, throwout bearings, seals, etc. But if you have lots of time on your hands and you enjoy splitting your tractor then by all means replace the parts one at a time as they fail. I don't like people telling me what to do (unfortunately I'm an employee, not an owner so I am constantly told what to do!) and I'm not about to tell you what to do but I'd rather split my tractor once and know that it's good for another 55 years even though I won't live that long.   [Reply]  [No Email]
wjkrostek 07-15-2012 21:36:45 216.137.232.152 Report to Moderator	Re: thickness of 10 inch clutch in reply to awhtx, 07-15-2012 20:11:11   I agree a 64th is almost touching. So close you can't hardly even see it. Thats to close for me. The tractor was last torn down in 1970 so I assume it was changed out then, I didn't own it then so I don't know. She sure looks good inside. Took the pistons out without having to cut out a ridge. I've only owned her the last 20 years.   [Reply]  [No Email]