Versatile 500 clutch replacement.

Looking at a 500 Versatile with a bad clutch wont disengage how difficult is it to do a clutch?

Won't disengage is not necessarily a bad clutch. it could be several things including but not limited to, stuck disc (to flywheel or pressure plate) seized pilot bearing, bad throwout bearing, broken linkages. Some of these can be fixed for little money/time. Others do require a split. Can it be moved to a location allowing operation in open country. If so operating with the pedal depressed or blocked down coud free it up. If it was not operated for a long time a rusted to the flywheel clutch is likely. Jim

As opposed to most other Versatile models of the era that had ''pull-type'' semi-truck-like dry clutches on the flywheel, the ''500'' used a multiple plate hydraulically-operated wet clutch in a housing at the front of the transmission.

Has anyone done pressure checks to determine that it's a ''hard failure'' of the clutch pack?

I have only been around a couple of those tractors and don't know how hard it is to replace the clutch without dropping out the transmission.

Also, if there's lots of debris from a failed clutch it will likely be in the transmission, as well.

If you DO repair it, the clutch operating system will need to be checked out for proper operation and pressure to make sure the new clutch doesn't fail.

As a side note, I had a renter back some years ago with a ''500'' and he never had clutch trouble, but lots of trouble with the complicated shift linkage (which was worn from significant hours of use).

I don't know what the parts availability is from FIAT, but I would not be surprised if there's availability issues with the clutch and transmission parts for that older, low production tractor..

https://www.mycnhistore.com/us/en/n...-1978/cn/37F7724F-E6BE-E111-9FCE-005056875BD6

Link to drivetrain parts.

Also, they were powered by a Cummins V8-504 engine that didn't have the highest reliability/longevity reputation of a Cummins engine.

If any engine parts are needed they tend to be TERRIBLY expensive vs. the ''855'' in-line sixes of the era.

FWIW, the lined plates, #V48551, Key #19, are $214 apiece, NINE used!

You would really have to buy it cheap to make it worth the money , as the others have said that is not a COMMON TRUCK clutch. Hydraulic disk set up and then having the v cummings engine just not a wise choice too much other stuff out there.

these are a lever B thingy. once you get past early 1960's be prepared for more complicated and expensive fixes. better keep that Minnie on the plow.

(quoted from post at 18:45:25 06/25/22) these are a lever B thingy. once you get past early 1960's be prepared for more complicated and expensive fixes. better keep that Minnie on the plow.

Click to expand...

''these are a lever B thingy''

Wondering what that means???

My interpretation of "lever B" is "leave her where she sits" which I think is a correct decision for plowhand.

Story goes, When you climb onto a piece of machinery, if you don't know about lever A, leave her be...