The Big Split - 841

I knew this was coming for months now, and I wasn't looking forward to it. Back in the summer, I had discovered (partly through research and questioning on this forum) that I needed to replace the clutch on my 841. It was slipping, and who knew the last time it had been replaced. So, I managed to get through the end of hay season, and let my bank account build back up after the initial "restore" I had undertaken in the spring of my grandfather's old Ford. I enlisted the help of my uncle and dad, "borrowed" some floor space in dad's shop (which comes equipped with a flat concrete floor and a nice warm wood stove, as opposed to a non-flat dirt floor and severe lack of any kind of warmth in my own garage), and began the project today.

Refreshingly, the split itself went really well. Ran into a snag with taking the steering arms off, opted to remove the drag link from the other end and leave it the arm on the "box." But other than that we had everything off and the tractor split in less than 4 hours. Then came a surprise.

The clutch looks almost brand new:





Not at all what we expected to find. It looks great, but it's totally oil-soaked. Seems like the oil is coming out of the input/clutch shaft of the Sherman transmission and causing the problem. If I can get that seal fixed, and get a new clutch (or restore my old one?) I should be good to go.

Gonna replace the oil pressure gauge, get a working gas gauge, and probably mount a voltmeter somewhere (any suggestions as for the best place for that are welcome). I'm also going to put on a new after-market/cushion-y seat (my apologies in advance to the "that's not original" crowd) and a new steering wheel.

I also bought the coolest thing (I think so, anyway) from this site: A Sherman Transmission Instruction Plate that bolts on under the steering wheel nut:

http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/SHERMAN_Sherman-Transmission-Instruction-Plate_25536.htm

Still have a lot of work to do before I can slap her back together, but I am excited to get started. Spent the better part of the day cleaning out the clutch housing (where the Sherman sits) because of all the oil and gunk that had been slung around in there, and de-greasing various other parts.

Here are a few pictures from today. I want to again thank everyone here for your help on my late grandfather's tractor!

torch with a welding tip and lightly heat the clutch lining to draw out the oil and burn it up. Brake wash to remove the carbon left from the oil. Move around, and don't over heat a single area or it will warp.

I do it with clutches and brake linings that get oil soaked, but, if that clutch disk is a $50 part, it is probably best to replace it.

That clutch does look remarkably new.

While you have the tractor slpit you might want to
consider replacing the freeze plugs at the rear of
the engine and head which looks to have a
makeshift plug in it. It's easier to do with the
bellhousing off.
What I always do when replacing an input shaft or
any gaskets in the bellhousing is when I'm done I
tip the bellhousing down towards the ground and
put a clean pan under it and leave it sit over
night. if no oil it the pan the next morning I'll
button it up. When in the tipped position if you
pop the top cover on your trans you should see the
oil cover the gear on the trans wall to make sure
the sherman's getting oil. Since your sherman uses
the same oil as your main tranny I would check it
for water or just replace it. If your trans has
water in it than your sherman will also have water
in it. There is a drain plug on the both of the
sherman.
Good luck with your repair.

Kirk