ok. heres the deal. im finally gonna be getting my 350 tomm. the guy flaked on delivery a few times so ima go get it myself in the morning and am really hopeing to put it in afterward with my brotherinlaws help. i bought all new centerforce clutch stuff but dont have teh alignment tool and have called around to all the local places and no one has it in stock and will take awhile to get cause of holidays, yadayada. so is it really necessary. is there someway i can get away without it. the replacment pilot thing i got is an actual bearing and the center is star rigid like the input shaft, is this gonna make a diff. any help much appreciated.

 

I won't put in a clutch with out one. If you don't use the tool you can take the chance of getting the cluch in not centered and have all sorts of problems. I can't belive that none of the parts stores in your area don't stock one. they are a pretty common tool.

 

wouldn't do it without one. the tool is pretty common, at least the bushing kind see them in lot of stores, the ones that look like the input shaft on your trans may be a bit harder to find.

 

Why isn't it with the clutch kit?? I've bought two Ram clutches for my T5, and both came with alignment tools and a throwout bearing in the box.

 

It should be in the box with the clutch. If not, AutoZone (or other part stores) carry them for a few bucks (like $1.99 or so).

Lou

 

In all the clutches I've ever installed, I've never had to use a clutch alignment tool. Put your disc and clutch on the flywheel and install 3 bolts (every other one) just snug (finger tight). With your fingers through the openings in the sides of the clutch and center the disc on pressure plate - when centered, the disc should be pretty close to being flush with the pressure plate all around. Install the remaining bolts and tighten all up evenly, and then torque to spec. Verify that the disc hasn't moved by using the aforementioned "finger check".

 

Just take the input shaft off the t-5 and use it.

 

You can use a socket too.

 

woo thanks, goo info. guess i wont have to order the tool and wait for it before doing the install. kragen, autozone, napa, etc. didnt have em in stock and was talking like the 4th of jan. before it would be here and they are only 5 bucks so they are dumb for not stocking them, shrug, ill do it without, thanks guys. got the 350 today ill post a picture in engine swap or something.

 

An old input shaft makes the best alignment tool. The plastic ones can be OK, but not as good as the old input shaft. If you use the plastic one line the trans up, slide it in, if it doesn't go all of the way, pry back on the clutch fork (simulate stepping on it) and see if the tranny will slide the rest of the way in. Don't fall into the temptation of pulling it in with longer bolts. You can use longer bolts to line things up, but don't force the tranny in. Also if you're using a bushing, don't forget to use some grease on it.