Replacing Clutch

[bobc]

Want to see if any of you have changed the clutch in a Series I 240Z? If so, is this something you think the average person with pretty good mechanical knowledge can do at home?

How high does the car have to be to be able to drop the transmission?

Anything secrets to do this properly?

Thanks for the help.

Bob

[Curtis240Z]

You will have to drop the exhaust because you need to remove the transmission. You need to have the car high enough to slide the transmission out from under the car so you can work in the trans tunnel. Which means you need to drain the transmission because the driveshaft needs to come out too. You can do it at home make sure you support the engine from tilting back too far.

[sakijo]

I've done many a clutch job in the garage, but never a Z. Jack stands at 4 corners with the tires removed is a big help. Two or three friends to help will eliminate the need for a trans jack. A regular hydraulic floor jack (and the friends) is very useful to ensure not dropping the trans on the floor. Dawn dishwashing liquid takes out the trans oil that will get in your hair (remember to condition after because Dawn will strip out ALL the oils - trans and natural oils, leaving your hair very dry).

[RogerZ]

I did a 81zxt. so you should be good with four jackstands. a small mechanical tranny jack or friend with arm the size of my leg will work. mostly need three foot extension for the ratchet to get at bell housing bolts. it was pretty straight forward. biggest mistake I made was renting a hydraulic tranny jack way too much. bought a small mechanical from Harbor Freight less than a hundred worked fine. I replaced a slush box with a 5 speed and did the clutch same time.

[=Resurected280=]

Biggest tip I can give you here is to make sure you get car up high enough to get the bellhousing out from under the car. When I did this job I didnt have enough room and I had to jack the car up again (this becomes a pain in the arse if you only have one jack). This isnt really a hard job though and can be done by someone with decent mechanical knowledge, I highly recommend using a transmission jack though. I got the one from harbor freight too and it worked very well for me. Good Luck and have fun!

[JimmyZ]

I've done quite a few clutches on mine. At first it took three hours but now I've got it down to 1 hour. Make sure that you either drain the tranny fluid or plug a spare driveshaft yoke in the back to keep a pool of nasty 90W from developing. I've always used a regular jack underneath the drain plug. Be careful as you engage the tranny to the new clutch. Make it go in straight or you can damage your input shaft bearing(tranny). Of course you'll need a clutch alignment tool ($5.00 at autozone etc...)

I use a 280Z pressure plate/disc in mine. It has better grab than the 240Z

remanufactured units. Use red loctite on your pressure plate nuts and driveshaft hardware when reassembling. Torque pressure plate nuts to specified value and don't be a cheapskate... replace the throwout bearing. It's cheaper than the aggrivation of hearing it whine.

my 2c

Jim