I find out why my 1980 power wagon wouldn’t drive 876 miles and FIX IT!!

In this episode I figure out why the clutch was slipping on my 1980 dodge. This truck was a failed fly and drive attempt that ended because the clutch would not pull the truck. So obviously that’s what needs replacing. Or is it? You wont believe what we find
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/ @theetravisb
Send dad and me junk to our P.O. Box
P.O. Box 1772
Cortaro, Az
85652-1772
Business inquiries and if you have an abandoned vehicle you think dad and me might be interested in email us here
[e-mail]
Interested in pre 1980 abandoned cars or trucks/ barn finds. (Not interested in foreign cars) and 1st and 2nd gen Cummins (89-98) diesels only

[@arrgarner]

The mice didn't wedge the debris in the pressure plate. The mice got the debris into the pressure plate and centrifugal force pushed it into the fingers wedging them open when you used the clutch during the revival. The clutch worked the first few times you used it, then it became wedged open.

[@theetravisb]

Hm. Probably right

[@JonathanStoehr]

Great minds my friend, was sitting here thinking the exact same thing.

[@sheldonharvey8306]

Good deduction.

[@johnellis3309]

Hey put a lawn mower carburetor on that you might get 25 miles a gallon.. great job on the clutch

[@smarthome2660]

LOL when it takes burning a hole in the battery to learn you always bolt down your battery. Lessons we learn the hard way seem to have a lasting impression.

[@grantkoeller8911]

Centrifugal force is what happened. Once it spun ,the nesting material was forced in, tighter that ever.

[@Mariano.Bernacki]

The obvious next step is to tow it back to that mountain and drive it home :)

[@IO-zz2xy]

I don't think that the mice packed that. I think that truck probably stood long periods between drives, the mice brought in stuff and only when the clutch was pressed did it fall between housing and spring forks. This built up over time and your first drive out there was the one that dropped the final packing in between. Regards from South Africa

[@theetravisb]

Definitely possible

[@snpnishanth9905]

I am living India Tamil Nadu state. Tenkasi district. Pungampatty small village . Your program very nice. U long drive wow super. U best mechanic. Nice man

[@qwertyu3864]

U best mechanic nice man 😢❤

[@stevelangston2359]

Welcome! Nice to know car enthusiasts are everywhere!

[@arielkings2835]

Me again from Argentina, great team work with your dad, how is the manager doing this days? Specially with the hot weather ( meaning your dog)

[@theetravisb]

@@arielkings2835he’s doing good he’s just a little old

[@nickyharron4220]

Tight bit of guntering, love it.

[@allenm00]

Enjoy your time learning from your father and enjoying time together. These are the memories that matter.

[@duncanmacrae6384]

Yup, you pull the motor out, replace the clutch, and, while you're in there you replace the bad core plugs and possibly a rear main seal also.

[@user-kg5cq1sv6k]

Enjoy your content and your down home common sense. I know a lot of people say you should have done this or that but this is the best way to learn. Enjoy your Dad while you have him, he’s a gem. Good luck to both of you!

[@creekmiata]

The nest was loosely packed until the engine was spinning. Once you depressed the fingers with the throw out bearing the trash could get packed in by the rotational force .

[@grantkoeller8911]

Centrifugal force

[@mwilliamshs]

@@grantkoeller8911 centripetal

[@sgtbaxman6720]

I suspect the mice/rats did not actually wedge that debris into the pressure plate fingers like you found it. Instead, I’d bet they did build a big ol’ nest in the clutch area, and once you got the engine running and the worked the clutch, each time you depressed the pedal, centrifugal force threw that nest debris into the now open space between the pressure plate housing and the fingers. Once enough got in there, it was no longer allowing the pressure plate fully engage, creating very little (almost zero) holding force. You had to use a press to push down on those fingers. Other than Mighty Mouse, there isn’t a mouse or rat strong enough to have pushed debris into that area and caused the fingers to move. Anyway… great episode. I’ve never seen that particular issue, so it was educational. I think you have a solid driver now!

[@amandabillings2517]

While you had the motor out I would have dropped the oil pan and put front and rear seals a new oil pump.

[@stevenweikart2258]

None of those left on the East coast, I would restore it back and enjoy it!

[@daveyrayner]

It's like the clutch was disengaged (maybe pushed in with a wedged length of wood) for a period while off the road to prevent it sticking to the flywheel. This allowed the dirt from rodents to get in behind the fingers. When they removed the wood the clutch wasn't right so they parked it up again and eventually it got sold to you. Love your videos and the inclusion of your dad (because he's my age and I can see the great relationship you have), regards Dave in London England.

[@triplewithcheese]

The mice didn't pack that in there, they had a house in the pressure plate but using the pedal is what packed it in. They didn't come in through the inspection cover either. On the driver's rear of the engine block right below the freeze there's a hole, they go up through that hole, make sure that's all cleaned out too before it gets pulled into the clutch.

[@RogerWarren-ec2ql]

Good.viewing.australia❤❤❤❤❤

[@chrischinnici5077]

I’m a real big fan of your channel. After a long day at work, it’s a real pleasure watching you and your dad working on the vehicles. Please also continue to visit more museums and include them in your videos.

[@theetravisb]

Thanks that means a lot!

[@tackettshoh]

The dirt and debris was probably there and when you started the engine and pressed the clutch the centrical force caused everything to pack in behind the fingers. So when you let the clutch up the fingers couldn’t return. Every time you pressed the clutch down. It packed itself more and more down under the fingers. Crazy man. Good save!!

[@EasyThereBigFella]

Hi Travis, By your account of removing the protective cover and inspecting a relatively clean bell housing, it would have been sheer luck to have made a decision to dig deeper, to discover the compacted rats nest. Like you said, you learned something that perhaps you'll never see again. I thank you and your dad for another educational and entertaining video. Regarding the drone: Definitely a nice addition. The views from your property are fantastic! As ever, Best Regards from CT! Doug

[@theetravisb]

Thanks for the feedback and yeah that was an anomaly for sure. Hard one to catch.

[@tommyjefferson9525]

You and your dad are awesome I love you guys man you got a good Channel going on so just keep on keeping on guys

[@exploringhistory5796]

Great video Travis! BTW noticed Chris’s Mustang parked by the tractor (I found your channel thru his video). I think you got a solid truck-nice to see you decided to fix it! Keep up the good work 👍🏻.

[@theetravisb]

Yeah it’s here I’m helping him sell it

[@spliffburger]

I live on the western slope of Colorado, and i've physically seen rats and mice do the very same thing you were talking about. Was as stumped as you were. Now ya know. Great video as always. Cheers Travis & Dad

[@kbschulze]

Really enjoy your content. Nice to see a father and son working together. That engine plate is cool that your grandfather fabricated. Your father has is now 35 years and I will assume you will be the next one to hold it and use it. Hope you have a son also that one day will have a passion for automobiles and work with you.

[@itsmephil2255]

When I saw Dad was on the job, I knew all would go well That tow bracket/ball will certainly hurt against the odd shin though

[@saltynlit]

Glad you fixed 'er... awesome truck!

[@richsmith6952]

Glad you were able to figure out the clutch issue and yes the drone shots are sweet. I like it when your dad is helping out. ❤️😎

[@chrislangston2673]

Love them older Dodge Powerwagon trucks. Them 318s will run forever if you maintain them. Your Dad is a cool ol bird… him telling you the sequence on the pressure plate bolts… 💯. And the drone is a cool addition…

[@hayneshvac2]

I would say it's less likely to have been a mouse rather than someone 4 wheeling and the dirt collecting as they are holding the clutch in and coasting. Likely why it was parked in the first place. Over time, as the clutch cooled off, it was able to grab enough to move for you. No matter the situation, looks like you got a very nice truck on your hands. They only made that specific design 2 years. That design was unique in the way of having the more rounded 70's fenders with the 80's hood. The body lines of the 70's doesn't match up with the 80's body lines down the side. I had a 1980 adventurer, black on silver, that was 2 wheel drive...loved that old truck, it was a good one. Great video!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@That70sChannel]

I think that's right. I wonder if it would have been possible to clear that out by jamming a pressure washer out there while you work the clutch.

[@BrorAppelsin]

I get the saving money part, but I would've changed the rear main seal when the engine was out...

[@DependableAutoTruck]

the first time you depressed the clutch pedal while running all the mouse house was slung into there when you let off of the clutch compressed and help packing until it didn't work

[@GenAfterNextTactics]

Haha that Mustang looks extremely familiar in the background 🤔

[@americanrambler4972]

First time I have seen mouse house stop clutch fingers from engaging properly.

[@bluesmobil-gunnar]

So glad the clutch was OK. Still a lot of work. It's a bit of a shame as the engine being out presented a good opportunity to work on other things ('while it's out) but I understand that you really wanted to see if it'd work. Keep up the great job of saving cars and entertaining your viewers ! Really love that truck so I'm happy to hear it'll get some more attention.

[@Povilas7]

It's fun to work with your father. My father wasn't into cars, so I had to take a lot of laughs from guys I was working with when I was learning.

[@user-cx5ez3uu6i]

the nesting material wasnt in between the finger springs until you started using the clutch,the centrifical force spone the nest material in when you started driving and using the clutch

[@user-cx5ez3uu6i]

been doing this stuff for a hand full of years ,be 70 in a frew days ,still enjoy tinkering just a lot slower

[@SeanStevens24]

Glad we got to see what the problem was so soon after the first video!

[@garyvanarsdale3142]

Totally enjoying your channel. Your immense respect for your father, coupled with your very different personalities, resonates greatly. Hope you soon get one million and beyond subscribers.

[@theetravisb]

Thank you for the comment means a lot.

[@andrewkelly3424]

great job travis mate.love the way your dad guides you with his experience and knowledge but lets you lead the job at hand.great channel travis and some cool drone footage. looking forward to the next video

[@theetravisb]

Thanks . Learn a lot from dad !

[@blackbuttecruizr]

Love me an old skool Dodge! The drone is fun.

[@MoParRus340]

Rats didn’t do that. That happened from the truck spending most of its life running through pucker brush. That debris floating around inside kept migrating in behind the fingers via centrifugal force. With the spinning of the clutch, every time the guy pushed in the clutch more and more debris would fly in there by centrifugal force. Every time he’d release the clutch the finger force would pack the debris. That process continued till the truck wouldn’t go any more. THATS how that debris got so packed in there.

[@paulmurphy5964]

I’d agree with your assessment. Good call and explanation. Cheers from Schuylklll County

[@jdpinbaytown]

Makes Since!

[@raoulcruz4404]

I guess that dust shield that nobody puts back on has a purpose.

[@MoParRus340]

@@raoulcruz4404 well, a common infiltration stop is the boot around the clutch fork through the side of the bellhousing. Typically it either gets removed for various reasons or simply ages and cracks/falls apart. Driven mostly hard surfaces or pavement is no big deal but for a 4wd that is predominantly used off road it can be. Just my guess. Especially knowing where it came from and where it was left.

[@danfay4860]

2:30If you want to do a certain job a certain way go buy a truck with a blown clutch and do the job how ever you want to do it. The guy making the video get to decide how he’s going to replace the clutch that’s why.

[@geralderdek282]

And when you first started it and depressed the clutch, the rat crap got slung outward by centrifugal force where it jammed it! Wow! Mystery solved. I was thinking weakened springs from slpagge causing overheating. WRONG!!😂

[@haroldrogers6083]

I ran into the problem of the standard bolts and metric when i had a 76 Pinto run a bout with a V- 6 in it . That motor was made in Brazil bit the rest was assembled here in the US , so after i got past the top of the motor it was all metric and at that time the only metric tools i had was some wrenches i had for my motorcycle . I had to put a new timing gear set on it because the old ones were mounted with neoprene and they all ended up in the oil pan . You could order soild timing gears so thats what i did but , getting that oil pan off on a V-6 was a buggar !!!

[@o.c.smithiii2626]

The debris was in there loose, stepping on the clutch allowed it to slide into place, the centrifugal force of the spinning clutch housing forced it further in. It probably got worse as you drove. The stuff may have been in there before the truck was parked, and may have been a reason it got parked.

[@jonathanfreedom1st]

That's what I thought. The mouse house was just setting in there and as he used it from the initial start and drive it forced it in further thusly making it worse the more it ran. Good observation but what an odd thing some simple mice can cause 😂 little bstrds

[@eastonA11]

I love hearing from your dad. He’s a man full of wisdom.

[@theetravisb]

Yeah he’s awesome.

[@SunsetSlimess]

The nest was slung into the clutch as it was spinning and you pushed in the clutch, not by the mice. That is why it worked at first, and slowly got worse.

[@jodybeeler897]

Travis, I look forward to seeing your videos whenever they come up. It's great to see you and your dad working together to troubleshoot and the git er done work ethic. Your knowledge and enthusiasm for your projects add to pleasure of watching you get these projects done. Keep up the good work! The drone footage and editing are on point!! It just keeps getting better and better.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@artieb997]

Awesome work man! 🧐

[@harleyshihtzu5558]

I don’t think the mice had the power to force them fingers forward. I think when u pushed clutch in the centrical force threw the debris outward an when u pushed in on clutch the debris went behind the fingers an wouldn’t let the fingers come out all the way. Love your channel.

[@NoWr2Run]

AGREE.

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

Yep!!

[@MichaelJustice-ng7by]

Your dad is a good man

[@theetravisb]

Yeah he’s awesome. Thanks

[@dickritchie2596]

Travis is a good egg. 👍

[@Ray96744]

Having a dad willing to work with you and share his knowledge and pass it down to you is priceless

[@RichardSmith-cg7sg]

Should have cleaned up the pressure plate face and flywheel and used new clutch disc

[@lindasnook6735]

Good call on your part......never mind the haters and negative comments. Take your Dad out for a nice dinner.

[@thewilliamss2392]

Absolutely fantastic episode and the drone edit's are really good

[@theetravisb]

Heck yeah thanks 🤙🏻

[@study650]

Good video and love the drone.

[@jetcitynomads]

Drama, technical info, and cinematography it's all there. Great explanation on how the clutch works. Lloyd from WA.

[@EliTheMechanic]

Just woke up for school and already watching cars

[@theetravisb]

Good way to start your day

[@EliTheMechanic]

@@theetravisb love watching your stuff Travis keep it up 💪🏼

[@craigbowley6783]

That was a good idea what you did with the fingers. I was thinking that same thing when I first looked at it 👍🇺🇸

[@davidjustice5805]

Good video I really like that truck

[@user-rn9xu5mj6j]

This reminds me of when my father in law helped me fix a clutch in my old 75 vw rabbit first he made a support with a pipe and 2 plates on the ends for the engine then he measured and made a wooden dowel centering tool. worked great

[@terryeustice5399]

That’s is amazing a mouse house would cause that cluch to mess up. You have made this now Travis a truck someone will want. Thank you for sharing. 💯👍👊

[@billslim9267]

With all the slipping you did on that clutch, you should have taken the pressure plate and flywheel to a machine shop to have it resurfaced if all possible.

[@steeliewheelies]

Damn I wish I were there wrenching on cool old cars

[@Kbrusky15]

That Ram is AWESOME. I'm glad you chose to save it. It sucks that it was such a process for an easy fix. I'm not big into Dodge trucks but I'm pretty sure I'm in love with that one.

[@carlmeisner3668]

I love the content you put out Travis. I like your cost conscious approach on these projects. It is also great to see you work with your Dad on these projects.

[@slicksiderepairllc2822]

Dude when you jumped that old pile over the uhaul trailer I shit my freaking pants laughing so hard ! That was awesome man ….. for me not you. I’ve been there keep up the hard work.

[@robertashbrook3157]

Really glad to see you got your old Dodge running. Nuttin like a truck!

[@mickey533]

Travis is keepin the hits coming...

[@BFVgnr]

That's a great looking truck. Talk about an odd find. I'd have never thought that mice would nest in a clutch.

[@geralderdek282]

Well it wasn't the clutch, so the question remains. Wonder why they parked it and walked away from such a nice truck?

[@assafjacob5762]

"..just enough to make the clutch slip forever!"😂😂😂

[@pugman205]

nice old rig that! I kind of wish i had money and wasn't over in the UK otherwise i'd snap that up in a heartbeat! also not bad drone flying, though it seemed that you where getting a little too close to those power lines.

[@garyansell9735]

I bet that was a long term problem with that truck. Previous owner probably put a new plate in, didn't fix the problem so they said to hell with it and parked it.

[@techmarc6996]

Travis, I got my 9k lb. two post (clear floor) lift for only $1,500 a few years back. (Yes it's China made. And I've had to replace the pump once in 10 yrs w/one from Northern Tool.) If you pour a 5-6' slab you can easily put in a two pos lift. Sometimes you can find shops that are updating their lifts, & buy their old ones. Having a vehicle lift is SO much easier than crawling around on the ground.

[@bienvenidojosejorajuria5125]

I was a farmer for 25 years and had a lot of four-wheel-drive vehicles, combined, tractors planters, and 1000 acres so I have learned a lot about four-wheel-drive and transmission

[@LANTHENS]

Like watching you and your dad working on stuff . He's a wealth of knowledge . My son and i use to do the same thing but now i can't get around like i use too . Means a lot . Great ole truck . Just what you need out there . At least you got a iconic train ride .

[@theetravisb]

Yeah it’s great working together. Thanks for sharing

[@justplain8793]

When you first relased the clutch (with the engine running) centrifugal force forced the rodent debris outward.

[@megadeth934]

based

[@garyfeltus9801]

Good old dodge . Hope to see more on the old girl. Loved the drone shot. Great video.

[@keithhill9138]

You should have used a small vacuumed in stead of a blow nozzle. That way you could no for sure you got every thing!

[@mikejennings2346]

Great video getting the old Dodge truck to drive again. Love the new drone shots. Keep up the good work Travis and Rick.

[@bienvenidojosejorajuria5125]

I Learned something new, and I thank you very much. It was free information of an occurrence that is rare in mud. You may fill up the plate with the mud and the clutch would also slip. Thank you very much

[@BrianEBoyd]

To everyone saying you should’ve replaced the clutch while you had apart. That’s not in the spirit of this channel. Travis wants to get them running and driving with replacing only what really needs replacing. Keeping them original as possible. Love the truck great job keep it up.

[@theetravisb]

Exactly

[@mohawk2185]

Travis, I am glad that this "classic truck" runs shifts and drives the way that you expect it to.....

[@theetravisb]

Yes much better now

[@mohawk2185]

I liked them DODGES . THÈY WERE TÒUGHERIN THE LATE 70s thàn in the mid 80s...they weren't no creampuff 4x4

[@scottyellis3442]

You've got yourself a nice old truck, better than any of this new crap they're putting out today. These new 5.7 Hemi's will never last like that old 318. That's a real truck, back when trucks were built for working not running to soccer practice. I appreciate you putting out the second video & I really hope you keep that truck & enjoy it for years to come. Great job.👍🏻👍🏻

[@theetravisb]

Yeah I love this old iron. Best stuff ever built.

[@Kingsoupturbo]

Just when you think you've seen it all, thats a new one!

[@mrfishbulb7187]

I was thinking the same!

[@armandopatane5343]

Well now we all know = and we thank you 🙏= yes and drone shots are a million bucks shots = we love you

[@scottleininger6201]

That is cool you were able to safe the clutch. That is crazy how much stuff was in there and I would have never thought not look inside the pressure plate

[@mikestone7692]

Great video. It might be that the nest was there years ago and someone else back In Colorado had tried to use the clutch when the housing was packed, discovered it wouldn’t work properly, took the dust cover off cleaned out what rodent debris they could then left it… just saying… Anyway yes the aerial shots are good, NNKH uses it too in their videos… Thanks T.

[@eltontinashematangira6194]

I like the ones you fix and drive and troubleshooting problems on the way what to do what need to be done and what people need to knw in future keep up the good work please more vids on Cummins 1st gen please please

[@VikingDudee]

Yeah, I use to live in Florence AZ, and worked in Eloy at 1 of the prisons, It was too hot for me, Im from Ohio, and people said I'd get use to it, but driving a 92 Silverado back and forth with no AC, I made it a year and moved back to Ohio lol, Drove that 92 Silverado with 400k miles on her 2100 miles and only blew out a bearing, it was 113F when I left, made it to Globe AZ where it was in high 50s, crazy what a hour drive can do.

[@theetravisb]

Yeah. It’s crazy out here

[@johnheimbrock4397]

Man 'o man I love that truck..Had a 79 2 wheel ...Miss it!...Thanks for the entertainment.

[@ttano1117]

I love that you own all your mistakes and mishaps through the whole process cheers 🍻

[@theetravisb]

Thank you

[@the_truck_farmer]

Man watching the series on this truck has me sorely missing the good old days of simple to work on vehicles. Here in WI all the old iron is mostly long since rotted away and crushed thanks to road salt and high humidity…I had a ram 4x4 a few years newer than this one with 318/ 4 speed when I was a kid. This is super nostalgic!

[@struanrobertson3417]

Great job on the clutch. 👍

[@grantkoeller8911]

we need t-shirts and hats!!! Now get to the DMV and get that truck registered in your name!

[@jamesmoore5978]

Good job kid, keep those old vehicles going, glad to see you and your dad able to work together, enjoy those times . I lost my dad a while ago. I miss him. But great job keep it up

[@joerusso9990]

It is very possible the dirt got wedged between the fingers when you pushed the clutch in for the very first time or maybe the dirt got in while the previous owner was driving it you are right it's a very rare thing to happen I've never seen it before

[@jesseplouvier6374]

Nice truck and nice job fixing the clutch issue. Fram oil filter though :(

[@slicksiderepairllc2822]

They built a nest in there before you started it. The moment you pushed the clutch in it pushed the dirt and crap out under the fingers while it was spinning