Care and feeding of New McLeod

[Amianthus]

Just wanted to say that I got my new clutch in this weekend.

First things first. My thanks and gratitude goes out to a friend of mine who got a heated shop and helped me with the install. Second, many thanks to Hemi-64 who stopped by and allowed himself to be sucked in to helping me finish the task. I am sorry it took so long. If you ever need help with your ETH let me know. Just don't call me for a clutch. #ad


I would also like to thank DieselB59 and Turbodieselguy (aka My 6 eats V8's / Adam) for your tips and pointers. The tip about using the Porta-power was right on. So was the tip about using the centering tool. The final hint that I all but completely disregarded, was about allowing twice the amount of time it should've taken. I should've planned for 9 hrs instead of 4. 5.

That stuff aside, I have some questions for you guys that are running the McLeod.

-Grinding noises. I do not have a neutral grind or 4th gear grind that some have noted. I am however noticing a distinct noise around 1800 RPM. It doesn't sound like a grind. It sounds more like an exhaust shield is loose (don't have any). Is that just a resonance frequency that is being transmitted through the driveline? This happens in any gear. Also, I get a similar noise at 1300 RPM in 4th only. What is this?
-Chattering. I know this is normal. Is there a trick to eliminating it when starting from a stop? Higher RPM? More pedal slip? Less pedal slip? What?
-Grease. I think I used a little too much grease on the input shaft to help the assembly. Will this cause damage? Or will it just "burn" out of the clutch? Or won't it matter? Just curious.

The disassembly went fine (a transmission jack is a must). And reassembly was going good until it came time to put the transmission back in. That was a PITA (3 hours worth of fiddle-farting around with it) #ad
. One trick we figured out was once you got the clutch disks on the input shaft and the pilot is started, activate the clutch. It tends to allow you to insert the transmission a little easier. Then it was smooth sailing form there.

I do want to say that this clutch has been great and taken everything I have given it to date (2 days and 200mi. for break-in). Also, the pedal pressure feels less than stock. I do not have the 1st and reverse engagement problems I have heard about. It seems to be the ideal clutch. I wish DC would just install it from the factory this way. I know there is some more break-in to be done. But I just couldn't wait. #ad


Thanks again for the help with this project. You guys are invaluable. #ad


BTW, What does one do with a used flywheel and clutch? Any suggestions?

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'99 2500 ISB QC SLT (No Leather!), 4x4, 5sp w/McLeod, 4:10, BD-II, PE, PE-EZ, 4"exh. , Pac-Brake, A-Pillar gauge pod w/boost and pyro, Line-X, V-1, lights, siren, lic. plt. frame says "Diesel Fumes Make Me Horny!", and much more goofy stuff.

[This message has been edited by Amianthus (edited 01-09-2001). ]

 

[Big_DQ]

Hey A
All the problems will show themselves in good time. The grinding noise could be from the driveline especially the fourth gear noise, as fourth gear is completely on the main shaft of the transmission. Need to watch the torque in fourth to save the input shaft. If you hook to a 28,000# sled in third gear low range, rev it to 4,000RPM And let out on the clutch you won't notice that chatter you are talking about #ad
#ad
#ad

Don

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Ol' WHEEZER
96 2500 4x4 5spd 3. 54 grs, #10 TST plate, AFC spring kit, 16 cm turbo, CUSTOM 4" exhaust, (turbo to tail), K&N RE-0880 filter, TST guages, 370HP injectors, 3800 rpm governor spring kit, Slightly advanced timing(16deg. ) Powershot 2000 propane injection system Mcleod dual disc clutch(street), 305/70r16 Goodyear Wrangler MT tires, Linex Liner and Rockers,

 

[Amianthus]

Just a quick update.
I have found my neutral grind. It doesn't bother me as I know what it is. But you really have to listen to hear it. I mean, you have to be outside the truck to notice it.

 

[DieselB59]

Nice to hear that you took my advice on the installation tips. I'm always glad to help anyone who asks for it. If I'm close enough to you, I'll even get my hands dirty if and when you get into a jam. As far as the chatter goes, let the clutch out with no throttle in 1st gear, just at idle and you'll be fine. If starting in second, you'll have to get used to keeping the rpms just below 1000 for smooth engagement. As far as the flywheel and clutch go, take them to a salvage yard and get a couple bucks for 'em.

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Chris Timochko
AUTO WURKS DIESEL R&D TEAM
1997 5sp 4X4, Espar Heater, A. W. D. HX40 turbo, ATS 3pc Manifold, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, A. W. D. Custom Tuned Injection Pump, A. W. D. Intercooler, A. W. D. 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, A. W. D. Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, A. W. D. 6" Chrome Exhaust System, BD No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s.
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Project U96 - 1996 3500 2WD racer. A. W. D. Marine Ultra Low Compression, A. W. D. Teflon-coated Pistons, A. W. D. High Lift Camshaft, Ported and Honed Cylinder Head, Intake and Exhaust manifold; A. W. D. HX40 Turbocharger, ATS 3pc Exhaust Manifold, A. W. D. Water Injection, A. W. D. Custom Fabricated Fuel System, Race Spec A. W. D. /BD P7100 Injection Pump, A. W. D. Custom High Flow Fuel Injection Nozzles, BD Auto transmission and Custom TC, Weld Draglites, Goodyear Eagle Drag Slicks, 5" Single Stack Through The Bed, Mag-Hytec on Rear and Transmission.

 

[Cliffman]

Amianthus,

Congrats on your new clutch #ad
. It's been my experience that none of the 5 speeds have the neutral grind and there's no doubt that the noise your hearing (exhaust shield) is due to the solid hub clutch transmitting the engine pulses to the transmission. Your 2nd gear chatter will soon be replaced with a "chirp" sound as you let out the clutch. My clutch took about 2000 miles to break-in, but I drive a lot of highway miles. Good luck #ad
.



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2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, Long Bed, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE) Loven the shift thing (Arrrrrh), 3:54, SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, 18,000 LB 5th Wheel Hitch, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, BDs E-Brake, Rhino Liner (gray), Velvet ride shackles, cup smoothy, Power Edge box / EZ Box w/elbo, DD Stage III injectors, McLeod Dual Disk Clutch, K&N, SPA Gauges, Jardine Exhaust, 16cm turbo housing. Love the smell of diesel in the morning. Hope your watchen DC cuz every thing you see here is a big lie, Hehe.

 

[Amianthus]

cliffman,

You are running a setup similar to mine. Do you notice a "grinding" noise around 1800 rpm? Or am I hearing my engine pre-detonating due to the timing module? Am I getting the two noises mixed up? I have never heard pre-detonation in a diesel before so I don't know what to listen for.
If anyone else has any other ideas or has had this noise, let me know. It's driving me nuts not knowing.