clutch repairs... when is it time?

[Mark D]

Got Ruby on my mind this afternoon as a fine weather Sunday draws near. Maybe you fine folks have some clutch knowledge to offer a novice? Please keep in mind I've only had this car for a couple months with very little driving time or experience with this vintage. (But I am looking forward to a long love affair.. )

So here's what's on my mind: the clutch action is really high on the pedal. Could this simply be a linkage adjustment or could it be indicative of a worn friction plate?

Moose drove my car a couple weeks ago and showed me how the clutch seemed to be slipping with some quick acceleration.

If this all points towards a replacement, I'd love to hear referrals for mechanics in Central Massachusetts that are familiar with these old timers.

thanks all -

Mark

[greg g]

There is an overcenter spring that assists with the leg action on the clutch pedal. It is adjustable via a turnbuckle deal. There is also an adjustment on the linkage that goes from the lever pivot to the throwout bearing. Shortening it will allow the throwout bearing to fully release from the pressure plate fingers.

there should be a bit of free play at the top of the pedal. 1/4 to 5/8 of an inch or so.

If your car was rebuild and the frame painted etc, the PO may not have gotten the stuff just so on reassembly.

There is some language in teh service manual about dealing with the overcenter spring. It is a big brute of a thing so don't take it lightly if you feel you need to mess with it.

Perhaps some one will put up a scan of the page.

[moose]

Greg, that's just what I was going to say.

Mark, before you go paying somebody to do a clutch change, bring it back over to my place, we'll lift it up and have a look around. I don't remember there being much free play in that pedal.

[Don Coatney]

Only one adjustment to make (assuming your over center spring is not out of wack) and you should be able to do it yourself. You need around one inch of "free" play in your pedal. What this means is when your pedal is all the way up you should be able to depress it around one inch or so before you feel any resistance. If your free play is already there then you are out of adjustment and most likely your disc is in need of replacement. If there is no free play then you need to adjust the length of the rod #6-24-1 by lostening the jam nut also 6-24-1 and turn nut 6-24-3 as required to get the free play back.

[aero3113]

This is how I knew it was time ! I would adjust everything to specs and see how it functions, if it's still slipping remove and inspect. Hopefully you will not find what I did.

New Parts

[austinsailor]

according to klick and klack, once it's adjusted and warmed up, put it in high gear, give it full throttle as you let the clutch all the way out.

if it slips enough that it doesn't kill the engine at once, the clutch needs replacing.

It probably goes without saying, but they also said not to do this often.

[greg g]

You can visually inspect the friction plate by removing the sheet metal pan 6 10 2, and getting eyeballs on the situation.

[Mark D]

As usual you guys out perform all the time. Appreciate the feedback and the tech pages. I just got my service manual in the mail today, but I must have a different version as that exploded assembly view isn't in there at all. As a novice this is all very helpful. Moose my friend, be careful what you offer! I may just have to take you up on the offer.

[Mark D]

With a new kid on the way and an imminent move in your future, where do you find the time? As soon as the weather breaks lets pick a date.

[Al B. Bach]

I'm betting that scans from a parts parts manual. I don't have one myself but it is my understanding that they have great exploded diagrams that help a great deal in understanding how things go together. I really need to get one myself because I am discovering that the shop manual is not as much help as I would like.

[BobT-47P15]

I'd say it's from the Parts Manual as well.

They do have many exploded views.....which can come in pretty

darn handy.

[Don Coatney]

This is the information on the over center spring. Rarely do they go out of adjustment. And this adjustment has no bearing on the clutch pedal free play and does not need to be adjusted to compensate for disc wear. The only function of the overcenter spring is to give spring assist when depressing and releasing the clutch pedal. This adjustment can be made without the special tool but to make this adjustment you must understand how this system works.

[moose]

With a new kid on the way and an imminent move in your future, where do you find the time? As soon as the weather breaks lets pick a date.

That's all I've got, time. Give me a call first, but come by any weekend.

[greg g]

Hey Coatney, where did you get that photo. That looks like my living room carpet, and I did have a star photo album a few years ago, probably posted that picture to one of your original questions regarding the OC spring.

[Don Coatney]

Hey Coatney, where did you get that photo. That looks like my living room carpet, and I did have a star photo album a few years ago, probably posted that picture to one of your original questions regarding the OC spring.

Be glad I did not post the other pictures I took on your carpet:D That photo has been in my bucket account for several years. Most likely I snagged it from you several years back.