51 dodge pu throw out bearing

[lugnut123]

I traded for a 51 1/2 ton with a fluid clutch. The clutch makes noise when it's running but stops when you press the clutch. I'm thinking throwout bearing? Any ideas people. Wood it do that if the torque converter is low on oil? Does it take a special throw out bearing or does it take the same one as the regular clutch?? This is my first time with a wet clutch. thanks ahead of time. lugnut

[Merle Coggins]

First off, welcome to the forum.

Second, if your truck has Fluid Drive what you have is a fluid coupler between the crankshaft and the clutch. It's not a fluid clutch or a wet clutch as you described it. The clutch functions like any other clutch. The fluid drive coupler is a self contained unit that consists of a impeller and a turbine, like in a torque convertor, but doesn't have a stator like a torque convertor has. Because of this it doesn't multiply torque, it only transmits the rotational forces from the engine to the clutch through the fluid inside it.

If you have a noise in your clutch that goes away when you depress the clutch pedal I would suspect the input shaft bearing. If it were a throwout bearing the noise would get worse when depressing the pedal.

If the fluid in the Fluid Drive unit was low it would not have as much power transfer ability. It would act like a baddly slipping clutch.

Merle

[Reg Evans]

Welcome aboard Noel. I see you made it over from the 39-47 Truck forum. Here's a little information on the Fluid Drives operation.

Edited October 16, 2009 by Reg Evans

[lugnut123]

I have a 4 speed tranny out at the farm ina B1B. Would that tranny fit behind the clutch?? Probly putting a bearing in the tranny mite be easier. Aint got the truck home yet just doing an education thing. thanks Reg lugnut

[Merle Coggins]

Lugnut,

The input shafts on trannies used with Fluid Drive are longer, so unless your spare 4 speed came from a Fluid Drive truck it wouldn't work. Also, as I recall the bell housings are different for the 3 speed trans and the 4 speed trans due to different bolt hole patterns. Which trans is in the truck in question?

[lugnut123]

both tranny are 4 speed but the one is just behind a regular clutch. I was trying to shift the tranny wallago an I could only get it to shift into one gear. I think I will pull the top on the 4 speed. I bet the shifty forks and rails are rusted or stuck. from setting. lDoes the 51's have lug nuts this one does. My 49 had lug bolts and not nuts. thanks

[Merle Coggins]

Does the 51's have lug nuts this one does. My 49 had lug bolts and not nuts. thanks

From what I've seen, the 1/2 ton trucks used wheel bolts on their 16" wheels using a 5 X 4.5" bolt pattern. The 3/4 ton trucks used studs and nuts on their 15" wheels with 5 X 5" bolt pattern.

Merle

[lugnut123]

I have a B-3-C maybe the C means it's a 3/4 t. Maybe if it was a 1/2ton it would be a B-3-B ?? The transmission on this tthing will only shift between 3rd and 4th gear. I was thinging of poreing 2 gallons of diesel in the top of the tranny and lubing things up. Any ideas???

Does this site have a data base so I can check the serial numbers??

thanks everyone lugnut

[Merle Coggins]

Yes, B-3-C tells us that you have a "B" Series truck (Pilot House), 3rd generation (manufactured in '51 & '52), and the "C" designates 3/4 ton class.

If you pull the top off of your 4 speed trans you should be able to get at, and lubricate, the sift mechanisms underneath. At that time you can also reach down into the case and see that the shift collars move freely too.

Here's a web site with a serial number decoder. http://www.t137.com/registry/help/decode.php

Merle

[lugnut123]

I poped the top off thr tranny and no oil in the tranny. I got the shifter to workin and put some tractor hyd/tranny fluid in it an it shifts great. I'll change that oil to GL4 after I run it a bit. The front brakes are stickin now so I'll pull da hubs an take a look. lugnut

[Merle Coggins]

That might explain the noise with the clutch engaged. No lube in the trans would make the bearings and gears noisy. Hopefully you didn't run it too long without lube and all will be good now.

Merle