PART 2: Need help with Ford 860 and double clutch

Recently I posted about needing help with the clutch on my 860. Well, as it turns out, I could use some more help. Maybe a lot more help!

I managed to get my tractor split, installed the new double clutch, buttoned it up, and adjusted the clutch pedal height and free play.

All was going well...until I started the tractor.

It started right up, and right away thin white smoke started coming from the breather, and I assumed this was water from the tractor being stranded out in a heavy rain over the last week.

But then it started smoking A LOT, very dense white smoke, and oil began pouring out of the weep hole in the bottom of the section that contains the clutch. A little oil also leaked out around the clutch shaft and also from around the oil pan, despite the fact that this tractor has never leaked a drop in the past.

Also, I discovered just as the smoke starting getting intense that I can't put the tractor in gear. It just grinds when I try to put it any gear, no matter how much I push the clutch pedal. Same is true for the PTO.

So my question is this: Does anyone have any idea what is going on, and how bad could the engine now be messed up after this?

Thanks for the help!
Jeff

As much as I hate to say this, something went horribly wrong with your clutch installation. Not only will the clutch not release because of
this, much worse is the fact that you have wiped out the thrust bearing in your engine. This can be the only reason I can think of for the
intense smoke coming out of the breather pipe.

Do NOT run it any further if there is any chance of saving the crank, which is doubtful. I would suggest dropping the pan and removing the
cap that contains the thrust bearing to inspect for damage. And, of course, it will need to be split once again to see what happened with the
clutch.

When you joined the engine to the trans, did you have to suck it together with the bolts?

In the I&T manual, there is a note about possible interference when using a clutch for 1958 (X01) and later in earlier models. Not sure if the aftermarket is only producing the late version clutch now?

Hmm. Three days since the last post and no response from the OP. Doesn't sound encouraging.

Haven't been back into the wild to get the tractor yet. Will post with an update or new information as soon as I have any. Thanks for the help!

Thanks to all who helped with advice! I eventually hauled my 860 back to the garage, split it again, replaced the dual clutch, and somehow everything works great...with no smoking or other signs of apparent engine damage from my first failed attempt.

For anyone trying to do a similar fix in the future, here's a link to the final episode:

https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1473159

Thanks again!
Jeff