Flywheel removal with engine in car?

[RobertKB]

I have been following Chris Bamford's thread on his engine rebuild and it made me think of a question. I did not want to hijack his thread in any way so I am starting a new one. My shop manual is not particularly clear on this.

The clutch in my '48 Dodge D25 has juddered for years. I am so used to it that I can usually take off pretty smoothly. Over the years, I have adjusted the clutch rods, replaced motor mounts, and a few other things. I figure it is the flywheel as I put in a new pressure plate and disc many years ago and it juddered even then.

However, I am at the point that I would like trouble free/smooth take offs. Shifting is always smooth and so is going in reverse. Only time the clutch judders is taking off in first. I don't think it is oil as the clutch would be slipping after all these years but it doesn't.

Question, can I take the flywheel off with the engine sitting in the car. I will pull trans and then the pressure plate/clutch disc after taking off the flywheel cover. I know I have access to the flywheel but can I get the nuts off and the flywheel bolts out? I am assuming I can as no mechanic back when the cars were new would want to pull the engine to change a ring gear, machine flywheel, etc. I plan on also having the pressure plate/clutch disc rebuilt at the same time. I will also mark the flywheel for easy return.

Sorry for the long post but I figure if I give lots of information people will be able to answer better.

Thanks in advance.

[TodFitch]

Can't say about about your '48 D25, but I've pulled the flywheel from my '33 PD with the engine in the car.

[fatFreddie]

Clutch chatter is a sign of oil on the lining. Check the main bearing seal or the cam shaft welch plug for oil leakage. YES the flywheel can be removed with the engine in place. A SNAP ON FLYWHEEL TURNER A144 is nice to have to hold the flywheel while removing the bolts.

[40phil41]

I have taken off the flywheel on my '41 Dodge with the engine in the car. It was several years (decades?) ago but I do recall supporting the back end of the engine with a floor jack and 2X4 under the oil pan. Not a small job but doable.

Phil

[RobertKB]

I have taken off the flywheel on my '41 Dodge with the engine in the car. It was several years (decades?) ago but I do recall supporting the back end of the engine with a floor jack and 2X4 under the oil pan. Not a small job but doable.

Phil

I am hoping to just leave the rear mounts in supporting the bellhousing and shouldn't have to support the engine any other way?? I should have access to the flywheel once the flywheel cover is removed.

[Young Ed]

Right you shouldn't have to pull the bellhousing. I think Phil must have been doing something more indepth like that rear core plug.

[40phil41]

Right you shouldn't have to pull the bellhousing. I think Phil must have been doing something more indepth like that rear core plug.

Yes, you are right Ed. I was doing everything; tranny, clutch, flywheel rear main seal and rear support mounts.

Phil

[RobertKB]

Thanks everybody for the help. I will add updates and closure to this thread when I am working on the car and when the project is finished.

[Guest P15-D24]

can make it a lot easier. Really hard to lift the flywheel, position and get the bolts in by yourself. Flywheel is heavy and hard to position.

[RobertKB]

can make it a lot easier. Really hard to lift the flywheel, position and get the bolts in by yourself. Flywheel is heavy and hard to position.

Yes, I plan on having some help for this job and also when I pull the transmission and replace it. Thanks.

[james curl]

Ger a paint pen and mark the flywheel and crankshaft flange as the holes are not evenly spaced, and once on the flange it will be hard to rotate to find the correct location.

[oldodge41]

My car always shuddered when pulling out until I replaced the spring bushings in the rear shackles and front eye of the rear leafs. I always thought it was the clutch but the bushings took it all out.

[RobertKB]

My car always shuddered when pulling out until I replaced the spring bushings in the rear shackles and front eye of the rear leafs. I always thought it was the clutch but the bushings took it all out.

Interesting. I have replaced the rear shackle bushings but not the other. I will check that out tomorrow. That might explain why it judders taking off in first, but not in reverse. A possibility worth checking out.

[plymouthcranbrook]

My 52 shuddered on takeoff for years until I changed the clutch assembly and it stopped. I was always told that either a weak pressure plate or worn disk caused that. I have changed several clutches over the years for this and other problems and never had shudder returning soon

[greg g]

The shudder can come from contaminants on the friction disc, oil from a leaking rear main seal is the most likely culprit, from glazing of the flywheel surface, and the development of hard spots on the face of the flywheel from heat and wear.

So more than the clutch assembly can be at fault for juddering get aways. Swapping clutch parts without looking for and addressing the other problems that may be there can at times end up in a temporary fix.

[Don Coatney]

The issue could well be your throw out bearing. Suggest you replace it.

[RobertKB]

The issue could well be your throw out bearing. Suggest you replace it.

Good advice. I plan on replacing everything while I have it apart.