grinding noise

[dentside7977]

i have a '79 f150 with a 302 (year unkown) and a 5 speed from a '93 f150. the truck was already this way when i purchased it. yesterday when i left school, the truck was making a significant grinding when i pushed the clutch in. i assumed it was a throwout bearing and didnt figure it was any big deal. Today when i drove it, the grinding is worse and is happening all the time. RPMs drop more than usual when the clutch is pushed. i was listening to the noise from underneath and idk if i'm just being paranoid but it seems to be louder from the oil pan than from the bell housing. Could this possibly be a thrust bearing in the motor? i wil be pulling the tranni on thursday evening and ill find out for sure but what are your opinions?? thanks

[dentside7977]

well i pulled the trans out tonight and found that the throwout bearing is good. but i also found that i can move the crank fore and aft about half an inch. the grinding noise was the flywheel rubbing against the intermediate plate and starter.

[fordman]

thats not good. the thrust bearing may have given out. time fora rebuild or another engine

[FreakysFords]

[averagef250]

Get another engine. 1/2" thrust clearance I'm amazed it ran, the crank and block will be unusable if you had that much clearance.

[dentside7977]

yea thats the conclusion that ive come to. time for a new motor. its weird though cause the truck still ran great. i actually pulled a small lawn tractor trailer with it literally half an hour before i took the tranni out. I couldnt believe it. Heres my plan: i have a fairmont with a mild 302 in it. Im going to pull that out and put it in the truck so i can have my daily driver back. Then i'm building a hotter 302 for the fairmont. So basically kill 2 birds (upgrade performance on both vehicles) with one stone