Broken clutch springs

[Jarrad]

I have a 1971, F350, 360ci, NP435. Since I bought it it has made a bad sound at high rpm that sounded like bolts flying around in the bottom end. I just cleaned all the gunk off the engine and tranny and noticed a few holes and a bunch of dents in the flywheel cover. I took the cover off today and found the remains of one large spring, one small spring and a pin aprox. 3/16" diameter and 1/2" long. One part of a spring was compressed between the casing and the clutch.

The clutch is working perfectly, this is a work truck and I don't want to take the transmission off unless I need a new clutch but if I can make this clutch last a lot longer by replacing this spring I will.

I have noticed when over loaded (3-4 yards gravel) it doesn't want to backup especially up hills. The gearshift starts swinging back and fourth and it makes a noise like grinding gears. I was wondering if this could be a slipping clutch? This is a heavy duty truck that I also may be towing my Ford 4000 backhoe with (11000 lb. with trailer) should I be looking at a better clutch?

[390Nut]

You should at least put in a new clutch. I highly doubt you'll be able to find the proper parts to fix yours, and even if you could, the cost of a replacement clutch outweighs the aggravation of trying to rebuild one (and hoping it stays together; it obviously hasn't so far)

Most modern clutch materials are better than they used to be, but you need a quality brand name, or you'll be replacing it again soon.

Stay away from most offshore junk, because thats exactly what it is; junk.

Brute Power is definitely one to stay away from. I went through two of them within a few weeks of each other, and finally went with a Sachs. It's got it's own share of problems, but at least it still works. I've repeatedly seen it mentioned that Luk makes a good clutch, but I'll be damned if I can find someone, somewhere, that sells them for these trucks. None of the online stores I've checked have them, and even Luk's site doesn't list them for this model/years of trucks.

[Jarrad]

After looking at clutches I have a few questions. Looking through this forum I see that the flywheel is the same on the 390 and 360. I can only get a 12" clutch for a 390. Am I safe to order a 390 clutch? The other difference I see is the pressure plate style. Do I want Diaphragm or Long?

[390Nut]

You can try a diaphragm style, but get a standard 11" clutch. It will work just fine, as long as everything else is in good condition (flywheel is surfaced, throwout bearing replaced, pilot bushing replaced, clutch linkage is in good working order, etc)

[sideoilerfe]

There is a difference in clutch sizes. I thinkthe f250 4x4 uses a 11.5inch clutch (at least mine did). There are different flywheel bolt patterns for the different size clutches. Make sure you get the larger one.