Clutch Plate- Am I Actually This Stupid?

This screeching noise just started on mine a few weeks ago. I know for sure it's the pressure plate. You have to pull the motor to replace it?! That is way beyond my skill level.
My motor is a Chevy 350 and trans. is a t90. I THINK the clutch is out of an International Scout, no idea what year. I don't even know what parts to order!

 

When and how does it screech? More often that noise is a throwout bearing, if you hear it when pressing the clutch pedal.

Either way, yes - pull the engine or drop the transmission to service clutch parts. Not terribly complicated, but heavy work.

Getting ID on the correct clutch parts would be related to the original engine and bell-house application. Take your worn parts to the oldest guy at the parts counter, and try to match them by eye.

 

Makes noise constantly, whether clutch is depressed or not. Smells like hot brakes occasionally. Sounds much easier to drop tranny rather than pull the motor, I've got a V8 in there!

 

Then that smell may be your friction plate worn out. If you put the front bumper against a tree, and try to "drive" forward, the engine should stall immediately. If the clutch slips, it may be wore out...

OR (!) possibly just needs the linkage to be adjusted. You must have a little free play when the pedal is all the way "up." If not, the throwout bearing may still be the "constant'' noise, and also making the friction plate slip.

If you go in, best practice is to always replace both.

 

Dropping it is not so hard. Getting it aligned to go back in is the challenge! You can remove the transmission and transfer case as a unit - but it is heavy.

 

Once I google what a friction plate is, I'll get right on it!

 

Again, check the linkage before you go taking stuff apart.

 

Friction plate = clutch disc.

 

Disconnect the clutch linkage and see if you have any movement in the clutch arm from front to back. You should be able to feel when the
throwout bearing contacts the arms or diaphragm on the clutch cover. At any rate it will all need to come apart.