1968 Plymouth GTX

[JimKueneman]

Wait till you get it apart... You'll find something... Trust me BTDT..

Keep Bill in the loop. He met Ray too.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

So the front clutch assembly does look a bit rough. The second clutch discs and bands look like new.

Here's the front clutch components:
All the plates looked like they were overheated.

The discs do not look real worn though:

I did notice that the front pressure plate was bowed and not flat like the others.
Tried to get a picture of it:

I am waiting until I get everything disassemble before ordering a rebuild kit.
Hopefully when I get into the valve body, I will be able to determine if a shifter kit was installed previously.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Okay, here are the valve body components.
How can I tell if a shift kit has been installed? My thinking is the color of the springs but not sure.

 

[gtx6970]

Ft pressure plate is much thicker than that .

something isnt right

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Ft pressure plate is much thicker than that .

something isnt right

I had assumed that the plate contacting the drum surface would be the pressure plate, however I did notice a much thicker plate, about 1/4" thick but it was once spacer plate from the Snap Ring.
So it went snap ring, metal plate, 1/4" metal plate, then disk, plate, disc up to the drum contact surface.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Keep Bill in the loop. He met Ray too.

Spoke with Ray yesterday.
He couldn't offer much help but did think that the colored springs indicate a shift kit has been installed.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

I watched a video by CRT Transmission on how to install a shift kit.
When it came to enlarging holes on the separator plate, I found mine were already enlarged to 11/64" diameter.
Next was a modification to the upper half of the valve body, when I checked mine, that also had been done.

So I am concluding that a shift kit has been installed.

I also counted the discs and plates and there is 4 of each. I see some kits for the same transmission have 5 of them. Is there an advantage to installing 5 plates and discs?

 

[gtx6970]

I also counted the discs and plates and there is 4 of each. I see some kits for the same transmission have 5 of them. Is there an advantage to installing 5 plates and discs?

5 disc clutch is top of the line

Will YOU need it?
IMO ,,,, Not likely

It requires a different ft drum to do so

PS , What kickdown lever is in it ?


ps, Waht kickdown lever is in it

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

5 disc clutch is top of the line

Will YOU need it?
IMO ,,,, Not likely

It requires a different ft drum to do so

PS , What kickdown lever is in it ?


ps, Waht kickdown lever is in it

Thanks, that helps alot.

From center hole to center hole the kickdown lever measure 3.125"
I assuming that's how the length is measured?

 

[gtx6970]

Thanks, that helps alot.

From center hole to center hole the kickdown lever measure 3.125"
I assuming that's how the length is measured?

should have a ratio number stamped in the side of the lever

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

should have a ratio number stamped in the side of the lever

Okay, I maybe confused as to what the Kickdown lever is. It seems when I do a search online about 4 different images all claim the title of kickdown lever.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Okay, I dug into the Service Manual and found it.

It has 3.8 stamped on the side.

 

[gtx6970]

a 3.8 is fine for a street car

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

A few more pictures for those interested:

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Yeah, it has a shift kit...

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

So what was the original color of these transmissions. What I am finding in my searches is black or dark gray but most that I have seen look unpainted?

 

[oldbee]

Unpainted. You do have a FSM and/or trans book also,right? If not, for sure get one or both. Makes it easier..

 

[gtx6970]

So what was the original color of these transmissions. What I am finding in my searches is black or dark gray but most that I have seen look unpainted?

Natural aluminum case
Steel pan
black phosphate bolts
clear zinc pressure port tap fittings
brass oil cooler line fittings

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Unpainted. You do have a FSM and/or trans book also,right? If not, for sure get one or both. Makes it easier..

Yes, I have the FSM.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Natural aluminum case
Steel pan
black phosphate bolts
clear zinc pressure port tap fittings
brass oil cooler line fittings

Great, that will help.

Should I try to clean the outside of the aluminum case with something? Scotchbrite pad and a particular cleaning solution maybe?