Firewall cracking

[tjcsr]

last 2-3 days Ive had minor clutch issues, and of course i look and the cylinder is moving along with the firewall.

Anyone ever weld a plate in there on the engine side? Instead of getting in there and trying to plate it up from the inside. drilling holes and bolting it,

 

[ToughOldFord]

It wouldn't do any good to have it on the engine side, it'd be pulling away from the firewall just like the MC is. The reinforcement needs to be on the front side of the damage.

 

[OLDBULL8]

There is a member on here that makes a reinforcement for the cracking firewall, can't remember the name. Do a search for it.

Here is just one, there's many more.

http://www.oilburners.net/forums/sh...ked-Firewall&highlight=Firewall+reinforcement

 

[freebird01]

both are correct...the force is from the inside out...putting it on the outside may help but in the end you will end up cracking the welds overtime.

and i am that member that makes the firewall plates

 

[riotwarrior]

If you look in the tech section there are a couple of threads on HOW TO install said plate!

 

[ToughOldFord]

Clutch problems due to cracked Firewall? Here's what to do.... PART1

 

[tjcsr]

yes. I read both articles this morning, I also saw that Jason made them plates.
was just wondering if anyone tried the engine side.
I just started wood cutting season and I need my truck more then any other time of the year. Sucks, last year the output shaft on the trans **** the splines and took the t case with it. I guess ill have to jump on in there and remove some insulation pad and see if there are any cracks, I see none on the engine side, but whoa is the cylinder starting to move.
Ive seen the major repair plates, anyone have a pic of the minor repair kits?

 

[ToughOldFord]

Here's the minor kit:

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[GENIUSLOERTS]

what years need the plates? or is it all body styles?

 

[ToughOldFord]

Off the top of my head I believe it's '83 to '91. It might also include the '80-82 gassers, but I'm not sure.

 

[freebird01]

83-91 all f series manual trans trucks

 

[ToughOldFord]

Haa, I was 2 seconds faster.

 

[The Warden]

Ive seen the major repair plates, anyone have a pic of the minor repair kits?

As I recall, per the TSB you can't use the minor repair plate if the master cylinder's already moving...you HAVE to use the major repair plate. Really, though, even if the firewall wasn't moving, IMHO installing the minor repair kit would be tantamount to using a squirt gun on a forest fire...

You might also want to check the throwout bearing and the input shaft sleeve that it rides on. Yes, the firewalls on these trucks are known for cracking, but if the throwout bearing and the sleeve aren't well lubricated, that can exacerbate the problem i.e. the crack will come faster and more severely. You can access the throwout bearing by removing the clutch fork and sticking your hand in the hole...or, better yet, find someone with small hands to do it for you Grease up the sleeve, and try to force grease into the throwout bearing with your fingers...as someone once said, when your hand cramps up, add some more grease!

As others said, all '80-'91 trucks with manual transmissions have this problem. For '92, Ford started using a new clutch pedal assembly that has the "major repair plate" as an integral part of the pedal assembly.

Hope this might help some...good luck

 

[Andertusa]

Your best bet would be to use a reinforcement on BOTH sides of the firewall, make that area 'strong like bull', you apply pressure, and that pressure means this stuff needs to be HEAVY DUTY.

 

[ToughOldFord]

There would absolutely zero reason to reinforce both sides, at no time under any circumstance is the master cylinder or any part of the clutch apply reverse pressure, IE from the engine side of the firewall towards the cab.