I am in assembly phase. Working on front clutch drum. I need to know maximum thickness of the clutch plate? The bronze clutch that was in the trans is .062 my fiber coated replacement is .080 X 4 clutches is about .072 thicker? The metal plates measure the same .062. While were talking clutch thickness also need rear clutch thickness. I haven't disassembled the rear yet. The trans was working ok when the torque convertor began leaking fluid.

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

I think the question you should be asking is "what clearances am I looking for" after the different clutch drums are assembled.
Their is no way to know how many steels or fibers you are going to use or how thick they will total. After they are together then give us an idea of what clearance you measure.Pete

There are 4 fiber and 3 steels in the clutch pack. I won't be able to use the replacement clutches without some machine work. I was hoping someone might have Ford specs on maximum clutch thickness.


56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

Gene, the fibers and the steels are made in a variety of thicknesses to adjust the clearance to be within the maximum and the minimum spec for each clutch drum. After a drum is assembled the clearance should be measured and if not within the spec then a thicker or thinner fiber and or steel is substituted. If I remember correctly the clutches from a FMX will work in the FOM.Pete

Thanks Pete, What I have is clutches I bought a long time ago. As I said I don't have the rear drum apart yet but the clutches I have for that measure .105. The bronze that were in the front drum were .062. They look pretty good and I may have to reuse them but would rather put in new. I will look to the FMX and see what I can find.

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

there was info on this site regarding a trans guru who used clutch plates from a later ford auto. the info you want  try a early motors repair guid,also try a marine trans dealers they used same discs swell same front pump

Gene, the specs I found show that the front clutch stack needs to have a MINIMUM of .010 clearance when installed.  No maximum specified, but I would think no more than .040.  The rear clutch needs .035 to .050 clearance.  The original steel plates in the rear clutch are dished .010, and if you re-use them, make sure all the "dishes" face the same way.  If you replace the dished ones with flat ones like FMXs use, you will get a crisper shift to 3rd with less slippage.  You can use the thick pressure plate from the rear clutch to check the clearance of the front clutch. 

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John, your info is what I was looking for. Fordomatic shop manual does not show those clearances. I have the .069 flat steels now in the rear clutch. My shift has been good and solid into 3rd gear. I would have put the new coned plates in but now I will use the flat plates. All 8 bronze clutches are .062. The steel plates are .069. I have about .045 clearance in the front drum and about .060 in the rear drum. I have 2 new steel plates at.088. I have 3 new flat steel plates for the front drum at .070. Can I use some .080 fiber clutches with new .062 fiber clutches to reduce clearances? Is it normal to have to use a press to install the pressure plates with new O rings. I had all O rings and metal surfaces well lubed.

56 VIC  Gene Stoehr Sr.

Gene, you can mix and match plates anyway you need to.  You mentioned bronze plates, I personally do not use them in the rear clutch, but if you are comfortable with that, I won't criticize.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Here is a link to a Cruise O Matic ( same as a FOM but name changed in 1958) rebuild that may be helpful. Pete
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-B936QdbLY