The Ford Barn

larry harding · 01-19-2022, 07:07 PM

i am helping a friend with a 28 sedan we want to put in a good running engine i have. we found his 28 has the multi disc clutch, the engine we want to use has the later single disc clutch and flywheel. will the later engine work with the earlier trannny, or what is going to be the best/simplest way to go i am familiar with the single disc, but the multi is a stranger to me. thanks!

Kurt in NJ · 01-19-2022, 07:21 PM

the simplest way is to change the flywheel.
The service bulletins has a long list of what needs to be changed to go to a single disc from multi disc.

nkaminar · 01-19-2022, 07:22 PM

The multi plate clutch needs special tools to assemble. The shaft on the input side of the transmission is different. The flywheel is different. I don't know about the bell housing but I would not be surprised if it was different too.

If you want to keep the car original then switch out all the stuff at the back of the engine that is related to the multi plate clutch. Otherwise you will, at a minimum, need a new input shaft for the transmission. There were also differences in the insides of the early transmissions. I am not the expert here so hopefully someone with more experience will pipe up.

d. · 01-19-2022, 08:03 PM

there are many articles in the MARC and MAFCA magazines about this.
I think Tom Endy has written good information on this site several times.

larrys40 · 01-19-2022, 08:04 PM

Larry
As Kurt said the service bulletins has a list for conversion. Please know pedals, etc are all included. The multi disc kit h is Avery good smooth clutch but replacement clutch facings are general deemed not available. Parts are out there from guys like us who hoard things ( not all bad) , but practically speeking your most serviceable clutch is the later single plate style.
Larry Shepard

larry harding · 01-20-2022, 08:30 AM

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thanks for the input. i,m thinking if the multi clutch in in good shape the simplest thing is to transfer the bell housing and flywheel from his bad engine to the good engine we believe the car hasn't run since 1949 and hasn't got a lot of miles, so hopefully the clutch is useable. i found and printed out the article by tom endy about changing from a single back to a multi. he even shows the wilson tool for lining up the discs. i'm a tinkerer and should be able to fabricate the tool if needed. any other suggestions?

old ugly · 01-20-2022, 08:34 AM

when going from multi disc to single disc you will need,
-bell housing
-flywheel
-pressure plate
-clutch disc
-transmission case, (or a trans assy)(the case is different but the gears will fit)
-transmission input shaft, ((or a trans assy)

the engine is the same for both types.

bobv · 01-20-2022, 09:08 AM

I made this tool for my clutch, worked well. I only needed to clean up and fix some of the loose rivets. I considered switching to the single disk but decided it was not necessary.

Keith True · 01-20-2022, 09:25 AM

To align the discs,I use 4 chainsaw files and a hose clamp.I use the threaded rod and washers to compress,and if I put a kingpin bearing under the nut on top I can almost,(but not quite)turn the nut down with my fingers.I'm going to have a complete takeout to sell in the spring.I'm changing my multi over to a single disc.If it was the only A I drive it would be one thing,but I have three others,with the single plate.The multi does drive a little different.I HAVE to shift at a lower speed,and the wait for the engine to slow down is longer.

nkaminar · 01-20-2022, 11:17 AM

For future reference, if deciding to change from the multi disk clutch to a single disk clutch, consider a lightened flywheel and the V8 pressure plate.

Keith True · 01-20-2022, 11:48 AM

I've put two lightened setups in cars for others.They brought their own parts,so I don't know who built them.Whoever did them did a beautiful job though.Both owners liked the faster revving,and faster slowing down to shift.One was in a roadster pickup and it just flies.In fact,it flies so good now he wants to put a Mitchell synchro transmission in it.For myself I like the heavy flywheel carrying me over the little hills on the back roads.Pedal pressure is not an issue for me.

larry harding · 01-20-2022, 04:04 PM

i've got the clutch in my shop, with the help of some allthread , nuts washers and other metal scraps i built the spring compressor, worked great. the lining material looks good,
so it looks like a go for putting this in his A. the car has sat since 1949 and is only showing 24.000 miles though it will need other work as we proceed.

Gene F · 01-20-2022, 07:46 PM

I found out the hard way that the pedals will also need changed.

I hear that Fort Wayne Clutch can renew your multi-disc.

My complete unit is still sitting on the workbench.

01-19-2022, 07:07 PM	#1
larry harding Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: western n.c. Posts: 393	multi or not? i am helping a friend with a 28 sedan we want to put in a good running engine i have. we found his 28 has the multi disc clutch, the engine we want to use has the later single disc clutch and flywheel. will the later engine work with the earlier trannny, or what is going to be the best/simplest way to go i am familiar with the single disc, but the multi is a stranger to me. thanks!

01-19-2022, 07:21 PM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,156	Re: multi or not? the simplest way is to change the flywheel. The service bulletins has a long list of what needs to be changed to go to a single disc from multi disc.

01-19-2022, 07:22 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: multi or not? The multi plate clutch needs special tools to assemble. The shaft on the input side of the transmission is different. The flywheel is different. I don't know about the bell housing but I would not be surprised if it was different too. If you want to keep the car original then switch out all the stuff at the back of the engine that is related to the multi plate clutch. Otherwise you will, at a minimum, need a new input shaft for the transmission. There were also differences in the insides of the early transmissions. I am not the expert here so hopefully someone with more experience will pipe up. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

01-19-2022, 08:03 PM	#4
d. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 510	Re: multi or not? there are many articles in the MARC and MAFCA magazines about this. I think Tom Endy has written good information on this site several times.

01-19-2022, 08:04 PM	#5
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: multi or not? Larry As Kurt said the service bulletins has a list for conversion. Please know pedals, etc are all included. The multi disc kit h is Avery good smooth clutch but replacement clutch facings are general deemed not available. Parts are out there from guys like us who hoard things ( not all bad) , but practically speeking your most serviceable clutch is the later single plate style. Larry Shepard

01-20-2022, 08:30 AM	#6
larry harding Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: western n.c. Posts: 393	Re: multi or not? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) thanks for the input. i,m thinking if the multi clutch in in good shape the simplest thing is to transfer the bell housing and flywheel from his bad engine to the good engine we believe the car hasn't run since 1949 and hasn't got a lot of miles, so hopefully the clutch is useable. i found and printed out the article by tom endy about changing from a single back to a multi. he even shows the wilson tool for lining up the discs. i'm a tinkerer and should be able to fabricate the tool if needed. any other suggestions?

01-20-2022, 08:34 AM	#7
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: multi or not? when going from multi disc to single disc you will need, -bell housing -flywheel -pressure plate -clutch disc -transmission case, (or a trans assy)(the case is different but the gears will fit) -transmission input shaft, ((or a trans assy) the engine is the same for both types. __________________ old ugly my old father-in-law told me. "listen close when people tell you how to do stuff they may know something. then do it the way you want."

01-20-2022, 09:25 AM	#9
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,984	Re: multi or not? To align the discs,I use 4 chainsaw files and a hose clamp.I use the threaded rod and washers to compress,and if I put a kingpin bearing under the nut on top I can almost,(but not quite)turn the nut down with my fingers.I'm going to have a complete takeout to sell in the spring.I'm changing my multi over to a single disc.If it was the only A I drive it would be one thing,but I have three others,with the single plate.The multi does drive a little different.I HAVE to shift at a lower speed,and the wait for the engine to slow down is longer.

01-20-2022, 11:17 AM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: multi or not? For future reference, if deciding to change from the multi disk clutch to a single disk clutch, consider a lightened flywheel and the V8 pressure plate. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

01-20-2022, 11:48 AM	#11
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,984	Re: multi or not? I've put two lightened setups in cars for others.They brought their own parts,so I don't know who built them.Whoever did them did a beautiful job though.Both owners liked the faster revving,and faster slowing down to shift.One was in a roadster pickup and it just flies.In fact,it flies so good now he wants to put a Mitchell synchro transmission in it.For myself I like the heavy flywheel carrying me over the little hills on the back roads.Pedal pressure is not an issue for me.

01-20-2022, 04:04 PM	#12
larry harding Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: western n.c. Posts: 393	Re: multi or not? i've got the clutch in my shop, with the help of some allthread , nuts washers and other metal scraps i built the spring compressor, worked great. the lining material looks good, so it looks like a go for putting this in his A. the car has sat since 1949 and is only showing 24.000 miles though it will need other work as we proceed.

01-20-2022, 07:46 PM	#13
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,958	Re: multi or not? I found out the hard way that the pedals will also need changed. I hear that Fort Wayne Clutch can renew your multi-disc. My complete unit is still sitting on the workbench.