Ford 861 clutch

[123rday]

Was wondering what it would take to change out the clutch on a recently purchased used ford 861? I know I need to support the tractor on both sides and was told to stick a wedge up front to keep the front from tipping at the wheels. But how difficult is it. I have dismantled and after someone else machined the block, reassemble a 4.3L Chevy motor, as well as changed the clutch out a few times on the same truck. Could I potenially use a cherry picker to hold up and support the back half of the tractor, while maybe supporting the front with cement blocks and 2by? Also would a car place that resurfaces flywheels be able to do the same for a tractors? Thanks for all your support and comments ahead of time.
Roger

 

[MikeD74T]

I changed the clutch in my 841D in about 2 hours. Hung the front with a cable come-along (& a jackstand for backup) from my garage ceiling & supported the rear with a floor jack. Pulled the bolts & rolled the rear back 3', changed the clutch/pressureplate, rolled the backend back into place & bolted up. MikeD74T

 

[123rday]

Did you do anything with the flywheel? Turned, left alone, or replaced? I spoke with an uncle a couple of hours ago. He didn't think it would be that bad of a job. Also besides fordtractorparts.com is there another place that sells the clutches. FTP.com is @ $210. plus shipping. Thanks.

 

[MikeD74T]

I did not reface the flywheel. Actually the clutch disk was ok but the pressureplate was bad. Couldn't see taking it apart in another year just to get a little more from the disk which was already about 40 years old. I did have a Dodge truck flywheel refaced last fall. It cost $40 and looked like new. MikeD74T

 

[RickB]

Did you do anything with the flywheel? Turned, left alone, or replaced? Also besides fordtractorparts.com is there another place that sells the clutches. FTP.com is @ $210. plus shipping. Thanks.

The double clutch in the 861 does not use the flywheel as a friction surface. $210 for that double clutch is a swinging deal. In fact, be sure that is the correct clutch, it is quite cheap in comparison to other sources.

 

[123rday]

The double clutch in the 861 does not use the flywheel as a friction surface. $210 for that double clutch is a swinging deal. In fact, be sure that is the correct clutch, it is quite cheap in comparison to other sources.

Thanks, I'll double check. I was wondering if I had the double clutch anyway. I'm still trying to come up with the serial numbers to make sure I get the right parts. Besides $210 was for a 10" clutch from ford tractor parts.com

 

[RickB]

An 861 by definition has a 5 speed transmission and double clutch. If it doesn't have both, it's not an 861.

 

[123rday]

An 861 by definition has a 5 speed transmission and double clutch. If it doesn't have both, it's not an 861.

It definately has a 5 speed. My cousin from whom I bought it, was told it was an 861. But he kinda thought the 8 was the series and the 61 was the year. That's when I went in to search mode.

 

[flusher]

It definately has a 5 speed. My cousin from whom I bought it, was told it was an 861. But he kinda thought the 8 was the series and the 61 was the year. That's when I went in to search mode.

This website will help you decode Ford's model numbers.

Identifying Old Ford Tractors

 

[123rday]

This website will help you decode Ford's model numbers.

Identifying Old Ford Tractors

I've been trying to use that sight, but I'm having a hard time figuring the serial number. I haven't been able to find it where it tells me to look, above and behind the starter.

Also where would be the cheapest place to find a new clutch. I've read on another site not to use the remanufactured due to various reasons.

 

[Soundguy]

It definately has a 5 speed. My cousin from whom I bought it, was told it was an 861. But he kinda thought the 8 was the series and the 61 was the year. That's when I went in to search mode.

8 is engine size ( 172 ci gas or diesel ( lp? )

6 = 5spd trans with live pto

1 = year range.. 58-62

look on t he bellhousing aft of the starter.. the sn is stamped with the model Id.. etc.

soudnguy

 

[123rday]

8 is engine size ( 172 ci gas or diesel ( lp? )

6 = 5spd trans with live pto

1 = year range.. 58-62

look on t he bellhousing aft of the starter.. the sn is stamped with the model Id.. etc.

soudnguy

That I believe is where identifying old ford tractors said to look but with the years of rust and dirt, it hasn't been possible yet. Thank you though.

 

[123rday]

Talking with the New Holland dealership within 12 miles of me price for a reman is $450.00, brand new $1500.00, labor $800.00 to $1000.00 plus possible cost to resurface flywheel. Close to the price of $1600.00 material and labor my cousin was quoted from another New Holland dealership about 35 miles from me. Being in a hurry (doesn't pay) I forgot to ask about warranty, material and labor. Of course when I mentioned that I heard reman might not be the way to go, the dealership said they hadn't any problems with this manufacturer.

 

[RickB]

There's nothing wrong with a reman clutch from a reputable supplier. Once again, the flywheel WILL NOT need resurfacing because it is not a friction surface for the clutch.

 

[123rday]

There's nothing wrong with a reman clutch from a reputable supplier. Once again, the flywheel WILL NOT need resurfacing because it is not a friction surface for the clutch.

Thanks, If I have someone else install it, I'll be sure to tell them not to do the flywheel.

 

[RickB]

Thanks, If I have someone else install it, I'll be sure to tell them not to do the flywheel.

I just find it quite odd that someone at a NH dealership, presumably the service manager, is mentioning the possible expense of turning the flywheel of an 861 as part of a clutch job because it is completely unnecessary. Unless it is just an oversight; after all, most any dry clutch repalcement quote other than one on a double clutch Ford from 55-64 should mention the possibility.

 

[123rday]

I just find it quite odd that someone at a NH dealership, presumably the service manager, is mentioning the possible expense of turning the flywheel of an 861 as part of a clutch job because it is completely unnecessary. Unless it is just an oversight; after all, most any dry clutch repalcement quote other than one on a double clutch Ford from 55-64 should mention the possibility.

When I spoke in person to the service manager, I asked him how much would it be to change a double clutch on a ford 861 diesel. I also wondered how long they would have the tractor. He told me between $800.00 and $1000.00 depending on how things went. More if the flywheel needed to be turned. He told me to figure a week to have the tractor because a day to take it apart to count the studs (??? I think it's what he mentioned) to get the right double clutch, two to three days to get the part ordered and in, and a day to put it back together. He didn't use a reference book like I've seen autoshops due to give a quote. So who knows???

 

[Soundguy]

count splines maybee?

soundguy

 

[flusher]

Talking with the New Holland dealership within 12 miles of me price for a reman is $450.00, brand new $1500.00, labor $800.00 to $1000.00 plus possible cost to resurface flywheel. Close to the price of $1600.00 material and labor my cousin was quoted from another New Holland dealership about 35 miles from me. Being in a hurry (doesn't pay) I forgot to ask about warranty, material and labor. Of course when I mentioned that I heard reman might not be the way to go, the dealership said they hadn't any problems with this manufacturer.

The price of that clutch pack is about right. Last year I was looking at a Ford 961 (the high clearance row crop version of the 861) that needed a new clutch. I found a reman unit on the web for about $550. Labor seems a tad high. I would have expected $600-700.

 

[cdcole]

Hey. I found some old pictures of when I replaced my clutch in my Ford641 about 10 years ago. I did it with very few tools. The most difficult thing is ensuring that the clutch settings are proper such that you will not get chatter. For this you need a jig and then some lock tite. You can't adjust it once you put the tractor back together. It took me one weekend but I did other work that weekend. Also, don't over torque the clutch bolts - I broke one off and had to drill and retap it. Good luck. Here are a couple of photos but the quality is poor. It is pictures of pictures - ****.