Flywheel cover?

[TWeatherford]

So I was looking at this pickup, and while I was crawling around under it, in a torrential rain I might add (my back was in a puddle), I noticed that there appears to be a missing cover and I could plainly see the teeth of the flywheel. It was toward the front of the transmission, and there were two screw holes, and just a short section of cover missing. Its been missing on this truck at least a year, as the current owner had no idea about it. Whats up with that?

 

[Agnem]

Yup. THanks for reminding me. NightMoose needs one too. We call it the flywheel inspection plate.

 

[NCheek]

Its been missing on this truck at least a year, as the current owner had no idea about it. Whats up with that?

PO probably took it off to give the pieces of small woodland creatures that nested there a place to exit...

 

[towcat]

So I was looking at this pickup, and while I was crawling around under it, in a torrential rain I might add (my back was in a puddle), I noticed that there appears to be a missing cover and I could plainly see the teeth of the flywheel. It was toward the front of the transmission, and there were two screw holes, and just a short section of cover missing. Its been missing on this truck at least a year, as the current owner had no idea about it. Whats up with that?

mime come off when I do a clutch job and they stay off. imho, there has yet to be a problem with any of my trucks missing the inspection cover.

 

[Agnem]

Yea, but Calvin aren't you a city slicker? Us country bumpkins live in dust and dirt.

 

[subway]

the clutch makes enough of its own dust i ran without one in my jeep for years. only problem i could see is a rock majically bouncing in there. that could make some real bad sounds

 

[hesutton]

That's the main function of the cover...........to keep something from getting in the teeth of the flywheel and dancing with it, the clutch, the bellhousing, the pressure plate, and so on. Road garbage like a limb, stones, or even roadkill could get in there. Like stated above, off-roading is certainly going to increase the chance of the flywheel kissing something in the trail and causing a problem.

Heath

 

[Shadetreemechanic]

My truck was missing its cover when I bought it. After a couple of unsuccessful junk yard trips, I ordered one from the dealer. I think it was $30 bucks. I can't imagine that a coating of mud does much good to the ring gear.
Sounds like towcat might have a pile of them laying around.

 

[redneckaggie]

i removed mine a long time ago and then decided to go mudding here recently. ended up in some deep stuff and tranny started squealin. step out and the crosspipe is coated in mud and the flywheel is grabbin it and throwin it everywhere. so after about 30 min of a laying on my back and sprayin the hell out of the hole with mud just fallin all over me i got it clean now i got to get that tranny out and lube the tob because i would imagine that 2200 psi of water prob did wonders to the grease on it

 

[towcat]

Yea, but Calvin aren't you a city slicker? Us country bumpkins live in dust and dirt.

hey mel-
i too play in the dust and dirt. my towtrucks also have played in deep water. 4 inches standing in the cab deep. F450's stand quite tall too. If I'm sliding over dirt,rocks and mud....I'd be more worried about the oil pan since the bottom is awful close to the oil pickup. the flywheel sits higher. Yes my '92 is the pavement princess since she rides the lowest, but she's no stranger to tall grass either.

 

[Agnem]

I guess ultimately the boot and cover just keeps the big stuff out. The thing is designed to breath top to bottom anyway. I imagine without the cover, you don't get the road draft tube effect that would pull the cleanest air in from behind the top of the engine. Water isn't staying out either way.