Ricardo transaxle, Clutch and axle bolts.


B

Brian Kissel

Member
Dec 11, 2013
5
Hello Gentlemen. Let me first start out by saying I do not have a Ford GT. I have been a member on this forum for years, but couldn't get back in, so I re registered. I have spent many many hours reading about the transaxle and clutch for the car. I have been a member and forum moderator over on the GT40s website for 23 years. I have purchased (2) new Ricardo transaxles. One, was gone through by RPM transmissions in Indiana. It was inspected for the proper lazer welds on the hubs, the gears were cyrogenically treated , everything was inspected for cracks, the sliders were hand fit to the shafts, and it was run in to assure proper shifting. The second transaxle will be sent to Ron McCall for inspection, and proper gear treatment.
I am building a RCR LolaT70MK3B replica. This is the engine that was just built for it.


I am a very firm believer that Ford designed the best transaxle for my use, and yours as well. I am looking to purchase a clutch for this project. Because it only weighs around 2800 pounds and only has 912hp tops, I think the factory one would work fine. If I had to upgrade to a Spec, I would have the flywheel extra which I would have no use for. I tried to order a factory one (4G7Z-7B546-BB) from Tasca Ford for $1369.85, but because I'm not a owner they won't sell it to me. So far the best price I gave found at a non dealer is $2000.00. Any suggestions would be welcome.
I have read where there was some chaffing of the shift cable due to the ridge on the top of the transaxle, Would it sound reasonable to smooth and polish this area to possibly prevent any issues down the road ??
 
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I believe both cooltech and the gt-god-father(eBay) can supply OEM Ford GT clutches, but not sure if their pricing will be any better. I have no association with either vendor, but have purchased from both without issue. On the shifter cables running over the transaxle, heat is also part of the problem(melting cable outer jacket). I just used some tie wraps, to the rear sway bar, to lift cables off the transaxle, and put some split rubber hose in the area, for further protection. I visit gt40s.com often, as lots of cool stuff going on with the builds. Good luck with the project.
 
Thank You for that. Yes, Scott, "The GT Godfather" is the one at $2000.00. He has them on Ebay at $2150.00 right now. He lives about three blocks from my daughter. I bought a ton of Ricardo parts from him from transaxles that were scrapped out. Very nice guy to deal with. I will be ordering some extreme temperature low friction cables when I get the proper sizing.
Also, I have seen a picture of a GT with a Numeric shifter. Has anyone had any experience with them ?? I purchased a new Factory GT shifter and the quality looks nice, I.m not really leaning towards a short throw shifter as I have read it was believed to be causing synchronizer issues. Don't know if it is a adjustment issue or what. I just don't want to cause any unnecessary issues.


THANK YOU for any input and ideas.
Regards Brian
 
Earlier this year, we installed a "repaired" transaxle into a GT. It failed again on a brief, gentle test drive. There are no new internal parts available and only parts scavenged from other transaxles. There are no manuals and no specifications available to check and confirm internal component fitment and tolerances. Used/repaired transaxles may seem like a good deal - until they aren't.

Neither the OEM shifter nor the Ford Racing Short Throw Shifter have caused "synchronizer issues" when properly installed. This is damn trivial to check/confirm. Disconnect the cable's ball socket at the transaxle. Move the linkage of the transaxle to its two extremes and ensure that the cable throw easily reaches the ball at both extremes. Repeat for second cable. It will take a minute or less to test each cable. In the rare case where a cable cannot reach one of the linkage extremes, adjust the cable so that it will. Easy peasy.
 
Thank You for that. Both of my transaxles are new. I just had the first one chyro'd and micro polished the gears, along with hand fitting the syncros. I do have the Ford cable adjustment tool to check things out. Not sure if it will help or not. Any thoughts on the Numeric shifter ?? And also where to buy a factory clutch without a $700.00 plus markup because I don't own a GT ??

THANK YOU, I appreciate your input.

Regards Brian
 
Can't you have the car owner, who has proper proof of ownership, buy it for you to install?
 
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I've never seen/heard of a Numeric shifter in a GT. I suppose it would be possible to do and almost certainly feasible if you are fitting the GT drivetrain to another chassis. The GT "cable adjustment tool" is most likely the shifter centering tool. It would still behoove you to verify cable "throw" adjustments at the transaxle when you get everything installed. Simply stated, while in any gear (aka linkage position) you want to make sure there's no tension from the shifter cables themselves. $2100-ish is list price for a GT clutch assembly and the TASCA price is highly discounted. Ford has (pain in the ass) mechanisms in place to try to reserve GT parts for GT applications. You may also need a flywheel 4G7Z-6375-AA ~$600.
 
Hi Frank. As I stated in my first post, this is going in a non Ford GT project. I have new Ricardos and am looking for a reasonable priced clutch. The replacement Spec clutch comes with a flywheel which I have no use for. I am having a custom flywheel built to work with the BBC to Ricardo adapter.
Thank You for your input.

Regards Brian
 
Did you ask Fran at Race Car Replicas about a clutch? You may have already seen this Superlite cars link.
https://slc-wiki.squarespace.com/ricardo
 
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Yes, I did talk to Fran. He wanted me to go the Spec clutch route because for a while the factory ones were hard to get. As I stated in my previous the Spec clutch comes with a Ford flywheel which I have no use for. I am having a custom flywheel made in Australia.

THANK YOU !!!

Regards Brian
 
The parts pictures show the ford clutch with a ring gear. I was always under the impression that the Ford clutch came with the flywheel.

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The starter mounts on the transaxle side, so the gear is built onto clutch pressure plate. The GT flywheel has no gear for starter engagement.
 
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69b302 said:
The starter mounts on the transaxle side, so the gear is built onto clutch pressure plate. The GT flywheel has no gear for starter engagement.
Click to expand...
Ford dealers parts page show the flywheel with the ring gear!

If the OP orders part

4G7Z-7B546-BB he gets the flywheel included.​

  • SKU:

    4G7Z-7B546-BB​

  • Other Names:

    Clutch Assembly​

  • Description:
    Concentric Assembly. Incl.Trans Clutch Friction Plate and Concentric Flywheel.
https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-clutch-flywheel-4g7z6375aa
https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-transmission-clutch-pressure-plate-4g7z7b546bb which includes the flywheel
 
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Unfortunately, that is not true. The flywheel is sold separately and is NOT part of the clutch assembly.
 
nota4re said:
Unfortunately, that is not true. The flywheel is sold separately and is NOT part of the clutch assembly.
Click to expand...
Thanks for pointing that out. Ford should change their parts picture and description so as not to confuse us senior citizens.:(
 
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