Checking transmission health with bad clutch | FerrariChat

Checking transmission health with bad clutch

Discussion in '360/430' started by Matthew Tanner, Sep 21, 2024.

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  1. Matthew Tanner

    Mar 21, 2020
    16
    Paris, TN
    Full Name:
    Matthew Tanner
    Came across a 360 that needs clutch replacement…but wondering if there is any real way you can check for transmission health if its clutch is bad? I don’t think there is (thinking how well it shifts and synchro health etc), but thought I’d see what the brain trust thought
     
  2. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,566
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    First, you start with telling us whether it is a 6-speed manual gated box, or an F1 shifter box.
     
  3. imahorse

    imahorse F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 25, 2017
    4,354
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    Dustin
    Gonna need a bit more info like Yelcab said. Is it completely undriveable? What makes you concerned the transmission may be damaged?
     
  4. Matthew Tanner

    Mar 21, 2020
    16
    Paris, TN
    Full Name:
    Matthew Tanner
    I don’t have much more info other than it’s an f1 that “only needs a new clutch”… which makes me think about worst case scenario is that everything checks out, I install a new clutch…and turns out all the synchros are smoked because of a failed heat exchanger. Which then begs the question…is there a way to check transmission health (maybe a way to cycle through the gears?) regardless of clutch status
     
  5. imahorse

    imahorse F1 Rookie
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    Nov 25, 2017
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    Dustin
    IIRC you should be able to cycle through the gears with your foot on the brake. However, I feel I should mention that if it's being sold needing a clutch, it's a good possibility it needs other things too.
     
  6. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,566
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    A 360 clutch job is $4,000. Then if it is 1999-2002 model, you will need to replace the TCU with one that can talk to a non-factory SDx computer in order to set up the new clutch. That upgrade is $2,000. Testing the health of a gearbox with a worn out clutch yields inconclusive results. For example, is it not shifting well because of the synchros or because of the clutch? Besides, you can feel the shifting action with a manual shifter in your hand. There is no such feel with an F1 box.

    A heat exchanger failure that is not fixed will cause differential noise issues. You won't feel it in the shifting. At the present time, the fix is to replace the whole transmission because the ring/pinion is no longer available new.

    For the car you are looking at, just lob $5,000 off the price if you are serious. That is enough for a clutch and ... gets you 2/3 of the way there for a used 360 F1 gearbox. The rest of the way is you taking on some risks.
     
  7. Matthew Tanner

    Mar 21, 2020
    16
    Paris, TN
    Full Name:
    Matthew Tanner
    Well my intent is that for such a vehicle, it’s a perfect time for clutch & conversion…but this is certainly buyer beware…my bail out plan is that as long as there is enough for scrap that I don’t walk away losing more than $20k-$30k on the deal after the dust settled
     
  8. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,100
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Failed heat exchanger does not kill syncros, it kills the ring and pinion. Toss the gearbox.
    A worn out clutch does not keep a worn out syncro from grinding or a bad ring and pinion from howling.
     
  9. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,100
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Disagree 100%
     

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