Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Advice needed on clutch Job

[PUMPERDUDE]

With 280k on my Ram,the throw out bearing is singing its song. I'm looking for a good Dodge /Cummins mechanic in the New Orleans area. I have done some routine jobs on my Ram, but I dont think I could handle this animal. I'm looking to replace the stock clutch,throw out bearing and rear seal on the Cummins... Anything else I should change while I am in there?Please chime in.

 

[hsmith]

Might want to go a little better than stock. I went with the SBC ConO 13" conversion, seems to be good. Little grabby at first, but now is smooth. Comes with new flywheel. Didn't change the RM seal, as it was clean and dry.

 

[Dave M]

I'm with "hsmith" and get an SBC 13 inch conversion. I got an MU-13. 1. 25 Con O. It comes with a 13 inch flywheel and 13 inch organic clutch for up to 350 HP..... stock is 12 inch. I'd get the CON OFE 13 inch which is a 13 inch upgrade with a combo organic and feramic clutch up to 450 HP is what most people run... its a few hundred dollars more than the Con O.



I replaced the rear crank seal, and transmission input shaft seal (by replacing the whole input shaft retainer (came with seal and bearing race installed) for $40 from Blumenfals (spell?)). Those are the 2 points that could leak into the clutch..... turned out my clutch was soaked in oil... probably crank seal bad.



I also found my pivot ball and pivot ball clip was worn bad... cost $25 from dealer. Also good time to replace the fluids in transmission (only use Syntorq or low phosphorous content gear oil for the NV4500... I used a synthetic that NAPA thought would work and my transmission shifted hard. I drained it all and got Castrol Syntorg (not the Castrol Syntec either) from Quard4x4.com or you can get it from dealer. You will need 5 quarts. About $70 a gallon from quard4x4 or about $25 a quart from most dealers.



Also I replaced the transfer case transmission fluid with synthetic and replaced the transmission output shaft tail housing seal.



Here is my thread from last December on what it took to do this job (first time for me) with interesting pics too.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ions-remove-stock-install-new-sbc-clutch.html



dave

 

[12Vmudder]

Hey I'm in the New Orleans area for the summer and I have changed out a clutch before... Bad news is I leave to go back to Missouri on the 15th... If theres anything I can help you with before then I'd be willing

Derek

 

[wcjp]

When I had my 12v I did the South Bend Clutch with stock flywheel. It's rated for more than stock, felt great and price was right. Have the shop check input shaft play. Are your starter contacts still stock?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Absolutely change the pilot bearing. South Bend Clutch has several options there, including a new flywheel at moderate cost that comes with a very heavy duty sealed ball bearing pilot bearing.