Replacing the clutch in a Henry J

[Fid]

Has anyone ever done this? I think some grease got on the clutch plate of my Henry J six cylinder and I need to fix it. Does anyone know if this can be done without removing the engine from the car?
I need input from people who have done this and know if it can be done.
Thanks.

[Gordie]

In the old days mechanics used to drive up to a telephone pole and let out the clutch very gently and try to burn the clutch disc in but Henry J bumpers are not as sturdy as say a 1947 Buick!  It kind of depends on how badly it is slipping.  It might be worth a try as you are faced with all of that labor all over again.  Good luck!

[montefrazer]

Condensed version from my 28th edition Chiltons. The engine can stay in but must be supported. Take off drive shaft, speedo cable, linkages, and wiring if it's an overdrive. Remove tranny mount, bell housing bolts, and remove tranny. You may have to take off the exhaust to remove lower housing to get to the pressure plate bolts. Very similar to any open drive line clutch job. I would suggest rebuilding the pressure plate, surfacing the fly wheel and having it all balanced while it's apart but that is up to you. Good luck with it. Steve

[Fid]

Thanks for the input.  I took a good hard look at the car today and it appears the top two clutch housing bolts could be removed from above. If so, the engine would not have to be lowered after the trans is removed.
Not sure when I'm going to tackle this but it will likely be sometime before the National as I may bring the car there.

[Fid]

I have it apart right now. The top two clutch housing bolts cannot be reached from underneath the car, however, I did get them from the top. I will add there is no grease on the disk or pressure plate - it's dry and clean so possibly the pressure plate or flywheel are out of balance or have surface warpage. I'll drop the disk, plate and flywheel off at a clutch and U-joint shop tomorrow. 

[Fid]

I got the clutch in it and have everything back together except the transmission needs to be re-installed. Too heavy to lift under the car and the car is too low to get a jack under it so a friend is going to stop by in the morning and help me put it up in there. The two of us did it back in '02 and with two people you just lift it right up and in. I'll see how the clutch works when we get it done. I ended up installing all new components (pressure plate and disk) from NorthStar Willys in Dassel, MN. I also had the flywheel resurfaced and a new pilot bushing installed in the flywheel. I also had a new bushing for the end of the starter shaft pressed into the bell housing. That made a big difference too!

[Fid]

I got the car back together today and took it for a ride. WOW! What a difference! The clutch is nice and smooth and it shifts nice. No more chatter and the car actually rides smoother. The old one must've been out of balance. I will say that doing a clutch in a Henry J is not for the faint-hearted.  What a difference though!

[Gordie]

Congratulations!!  That is a great feeling when everything turns out well.  You were wise to replace all of the components while you had it out.

[montefrazer]

Do it once and do it right. Congrats on a job well done.