Help pls - 46-48 P15 clutch fork boot metal frame info needed

[3046moparcoupe]

Well I have been fortunate once, in receiving on this forum, from another one of the members, good template dimension information - that allowed me to build a simple part I was missing..(it don't get much better than that),...thank you much'o - so I'll try my luck again .

 

Just discovered that I've thrown away the rectangular shaped metal frame that is used to hold the leather clutch fork boot in place at the opening of the bell housing....

 

I have found the template info in the download section of this forum that allows for building the cover itself,....thank you P15-D24 forum

 

I do have the original rectangular shaped vent that covers the hole on the other side of the bell housing, and both of these bell housing openings are identical in size, but a first look at trying to use the dimensions of the vent plate - ( for the clutch fork boot frame ), look to me as though the vent plate is probably a bit smaller than the clutch fork frame..it just doesn't seem to overlap the hole far enough.

 

It would seem that the I.D. of the clutch fork boot frame would need to match the bell housing hole opening so the frame ear tabs will bend back and hold the unit in place,..and then if someone could provide the outside dimension of the clutch fork boot frame,..I should be able to make one - (unless these frames are made from something like spring steel and not regular steel ) ?? also thinking that the template might provide me with the locations for the finger tabs,...if not - I suspect I'd be needing that info as well.

 

Talk about a dumb move on my part,..I had a badly deteriorated - ripped - crumbled up - clutch fork boot on this bell housing when I pulled it from the car a few days ago,...there wasn't a lot left of the boot but a wadded up chunk kinda sitting halfway in the opening, the rivet had long since ripped out of the boot where it attached to the fork ),...but if I hadn't accidentally let this part get swept up with the trash - I bet the frame could have been straightened out or used to make another one.

 

I see where bernbaum has one listed in their catalogue, but it doesn't say if it's just the leather cover or if the frame is included,..guess I'll call them 1st thing Monday morning to find out...if anyone knows the answer to this or can possible help with the above - please respond back my way.

 

 I really appreciate the help.

 

Steve Gentry

#817-590-9716

email: seguitar1@yahoo.com

 

 

[Don Coatney]

All I have is a picture with no measurements.

 

 

[plyroadking]

If you're having problems finding one I'm sure I have one around with a salvageable frame that you can have.

[mopar_earl]

If you order one from Andy's, please post about it and maybe a pic. Mine was trashed so I left it off and open.

Earl

[3046moparcoupe]

Thank you Don, Roadking and Earl. I woke up this morning and went straight to the computer hoping for some good news and sure enough there was some there, thanks to the P15 forum. It's amazing to me, because in this day and age it seems like - as a general rule, and especially with living in this large DFW metroplex area,...folks just don't care about others problems or ever venture a step out of their way to help another,...(of course, not everyone - but again - pretty much the rule.

 

Well - that's not true with this forum,....I am truly amazed with the attitudes and the help I have found here on the site. 

 

Roadking, again - that's as good as it gets and I applaud your willingness and effort to help,..(I also sent ya a separate forum personal message back on this)..Yes please I definitely would love to have it..thank you, thank you...and even though your kind enough to offer it for free,  we'll figure out something on that..

 

Erle, I will call Bernbaum just to see what they can say about the item they have listed and I'll let ya know....

 

Thank you all for the quick reply's back, all I can say is OLD MOPAR'S ROCK and the P15 FORUM IS THE BEST OF THE BEST !! I'M PROUD TO BE A FORUM MEMBER.

 

Steve

[casper50]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1942-1948-Plymouth-1941-1948-Chrysler-Dodge-NOS-Clutch-Fork-OEM-Mopar-863916-/111936455631?hash=item1a0feec3cf:g:TBoAAOSwoudW5yC7&vxp=mtr

[3046moparcoupe]

Earle, I just spoke with Bernbaum on the phone and that's a good part number and currently they have it in stock. I don't have a pic at

this point, it is listed as leather and he confirmed that the boot retainer is included at $24.50 ea..

A big thanks this morning also out to PRK for following through and getting an oem boot retainer coming this way.

Casper, thank you for the ebay heads up,...I just clicked on it and for some reason it didn't jump over to the ebay posting, but I'm guessing this might be that listing I saw for the entire clutch fork with a boot still attached to it. It was around $50 as a buy it now,..If that's the same thing you were gonna show me, yes sir - I have it marked in my watch list as we speak, if it was something different - let me know...and thxs again.

Just for grins I'm wondering if a rubber boot listed on the internet as fitting many Chevrolets from 62 up (with certain engine sizes) would be close enough to work on the Plymouth 3" x 2 1/2" Bell Housing clutch fork opening. From what I can tell (from pics and info)the inside of the groove that holds the boot in place is approx. 3" x 2 1/8"...but in looking at pics of the boot, I think the long side of the boot (3") is intended to lay horizontally, where on our Plymouths the long side of the boot lay's vertically,..so I know it would be a long shot, as even if it would hold in place despite the variances you see in the edges of the cast iron bell housing opening, it still would need to seal around the fork and not be overextended as to shorten it's lifespan..I found one on ebay that cost's $6, might just give it a try to see.

thanks everyone, awesome forum.

Steve