Is the special clutch tool definitely required ??

I used a 7/8th inch deep socket as an alignment tool for my F355.

 

I have a George Evans clutch kit on my car. I have had no issues with it at all.

In respect to the special tools you'll need, you must have the special ring-nut socket and a clutch alignment tool. The rest of the job can be performed using normal hand tools.

 

We got lucky when we recently re-installed JWise's 308 clutch. Just used a MAZDA RX7 tool I had lying around. The tool fit the pilot bearing pretty well, & the OD of the MAZDA splines was a good fit inside of the 308 splines. The 328 uses the same clutch. We finger tightened the pressure plate bolts so they just barely held the clutch in place, then slipped the bell housing on. Went on w/o any trouble. Removed bell housing, torqued down pp bolts & were on our way.

Also, the 3x8 clutches are 12-tooth splines which was used on several of the older Chevrolets. However, the Chevvy pilot bearing was a lot smaller diameter. S/B able to build up the pilot bearing surface with tape. AutoZone loans tools.

 

The clutch alignment tool for a 308 is the same as for, say, an 81 International Scout or similar vehicle. For a slew of engine types.

 

It's the ring nut that's your problem, not alignment.

If you want, you can punch/drill off the old nut, and then get a machine shop to make a new nut that uses a regular hexagon in your choice of size. I have never done this as I have the tool, but I guess it could be done.

There may be clearance problems inside the cover, but I'm sure it could be done.

 

Oh, I should add first on the alignment tool: I used to give people a hard time about using alignment tools, but I had to break down and buy an expensive universal one as the only thing I could find at the time because it took a lot of force to get the layshaft stabbed into the clutch (even once I'd aligned it) so I was afraid I had it crooked... so there was $30 or something for a tool I hate admitting I use! Point is, if you align it by hand, it might be pretty snug getting the bellhousing on but it might be OK.

As for the nut tool, you can either buy the tool or modify a socket to fit. Run a search on something like "cameragear" and you should find the thread wherein I asked about where the webpage had gone that showed how to make one. Or run a search on 308 nut tool. Or clutch change, you'll find the page I'm thinking of. I didn't do a perfect job of it, so I couldn't keep the tool seated on the nut well enough to get adequate torque on there to break it loose, so it's important to get it right.

 

Buam Tools Part # F-104 for the socket..MGB Alimgment tool..with a bit of electrical tape wraped around the end to size it for the pilot bearing. Works everytime and the bellhousing will slide on like butter.

 

How much is the damned tool anyway? Seems easier just to buy it! What we need here is a loaner system. Each of us will buy some arcane Ferrari tool and then we can loan them to each other!

Birdman

 

Birdman,
Baum gets about $85 + shipping for the ring-nut socket.

I've offered to loan mine in the past for the cost of shipping, but so far everyone's opted to buy one.

The torque on the transfer gear ring nut is pretty high (18N-m,130ft-lb), so odds are pretty good of one ground out of a socket breaking. Maybe if you use an impact socket it'll hold up.

Also, figure out how much the couple of hours it will take to grind one out are worth to you.

 

I ground one out of a big socket, it took 30 minutes. I did buy the one fo.r the timing gear though

 

Yep, the Baum tool (I bought one) is about $100 total. Works perfectly.

Two seconds with an impact wrench, and that nut is off!

I don't remember the actual item #, but I think f-104 is for the timing drive ring nuts., and f-102 is for the clutch. I could be wrong. I'll check the number on mine. It's been getting a little use recently!

Obviously, Verell or myself would loan you ours if you want to use it.

 

The clutch ringnut socket is BAUM #FR102:
http://tools.baumtools.com/index.jsp?index=3&newIndex=1&menu=ferr

 

Sorry, a little late on this thread, but here's a photo of mine, which I machined myself.

Best Regards

Martin
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Order code - RNT45 - £45.00 + shipping

http://www.customferrariparts.com/ferrari-miscellaneous.htm

(Main Page)
http://www.customferrariparts.com/homemainferrari.htm

Here's a picture of the RNT60 with the flywheel bolt from a 355.

Paul
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Ring nut sockets are out there, I have seen ring nuts on machine tools and other cars. They are just not an everyday item. At work we have machined them from existing sockets or welded tangs (using square section keystock) onto a socket. Several people on this forum have also just made their own, pretty easy if you are not mechanically challenged. Here is a typical story of how it's done if you don't have a mill.
http://www.alfaclubdc.com/alfaart4.htm

 

QV in London (of 355 manifold fame) was offering 308 or 328 (they seem to be different?) flywheel retainer nut sockets on e-bay last week with a start-bid of £20 each. The listing has expired, and I don't think they sold.

website
http://www.qvlondon.co.uk/

and their ebay ID is qv355512

Why not give them a call & offer them 20 quid !

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10380&item=4510764715

 

Wow.

Paul, maybe you should list some of your products on ebay...

 

I got mine from Baum for about $90 shipped. It's a nice piece of billet steel, machined not stamped. Just buy one.

 

I've got one and have loaned it out to other FChat members I know. When you or Verrell need to use one, just ask.

 

I made mine (and all the other size ringnut tools) by taking a 12 pt socket and cutting of the 8 pts I didn't need using a cut-off wheel on a die grinder. It takes about 15 minutes and and $5-$10 for the socket.