1928 fordoor clutch type
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1930artdeco
Well-known member
Welcome to the club! That is correct. The early 28's had a multi disk clutch which you can still get parts for I believe, but takes some tinkering-I think. The other clutch is a single disk that came out in 28-29 and operates like any other clutch. Some people also, will shave the flywheel down and install a v-8 clutch which has a softer peddle. Please post pics and a location. This way someone near you can give you a hand if need be. Also, you may wish to join a local club incase you have questions.
Mike
Mike
Tom Endy
Well-known member
The multi-disk clutch was in the early cars, a single disk clutch in the later cars. They are both replaceable. The multi-disk clutch is more difficult to replace. The majority of the early cars still on the road have been converted to a single disk over the years. However, every once in a while an early car comes out of the wood work with the multi-disk clutch still installed.
If you car has the multi-disk clutch and it runs well I would leave it and enjoy it.
Tom Endy
If you car has the multi-disk clutch and it runs well I would leave it and enjoy it.
Tom Endy
Purdy Swoft
Well-known member
I think that the multi disk cars all used the left hand emergency brake handle and used a mushroom shaped gear shift knob. I may be wrong .
dlshady
Well-known member
No, the multi-disc clutch was used for quite a while after the changeover to the separate emergency brake system. I think I have an engine in the basement in the 600,000 range that's still got the multi-disc clutch on it.
Mike Peters
Well-known member
I have a Nov. 28 business coupe with a multi disc clutch. Works fine.
glenn in camino
Well-known member
The multi disk clutch has several parts that all need to be in good shape to work properly. You also need some special tools to work on one. If they are all good, it's very smooth.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
The only problem I see with the multiplate clutch is if the flywheel splines get notched from the clutch discs wearing into them, then you're up a creek, because no repairs or replacements are available for the flywheel. I have a good complete multiplate that will be going back into my 28 when I reinstall the rebuilt engine.
John LaVoy
Well-known member
I have been rebuilding a multiple disk clutch for an up coming article. My next project is a redo of a 1928 Phaeton I restored in 1965. I took the multiple disk clutch out at that time, but save all the parts. One of the key components for a smooth clutch is the flywheel. It is grooved and those groves need to be smooth to make the clutch work nice and smooth. I have attached the picture of the one I'm using. The article will be in the next issue if you are interested.
Tom Endy has written an article for the Victoria group (they really want these clutches for the Victoria's but it is too early! LOL) The article from Tom is really great he does a great deal of research and has been helpful to me over the years.
Tom Endy has written an article for the Victoria group (they really want these clutches for the Victoria's but it is too early! LOL) The article from Tom is really great he does a great deal of research and has been helpful to me over the years.
Attachments
d.j. moordigian
Well-known member
Tom,...I thought about repairing the one for my mid-28 car. The
only thing I came up with was "hand broaching" in the the mill.
I think it is viable,...it's just a lot of strokes on a ton of splines...
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
I also thought about this as the only viable fix to worn slines, but would the excess play allow the clutch pack to rotate a little off center and cause a vibration?
d.j. moordigian
Well-known member
I also thought about this as the only viable fix to worn slines, but would the excess play allow the clutch pack to rotate a little off center and cause a vibration?
IF the material is removed off the worn side of the spline and not
off the good side or root. It's a crap shoot that I think would work.
The pilot bearing should still keep the pack stable..
Dudley
dlshady
Well-known member
At a minimum, the parts that are different are:
- flywheel
- clutch & pressure plate
- transmission input shaft
- bellhousing
- clutch inspection cover
- transmission case
- clutch and brake pedals (yours will have the small shaft)
- clutch release arm and linkage to the pedal
- throwout bearing
The transmission housing itself can be re-used but you'll have to drill and tap four holes in the front to secure the later style bellhousing.
As others have said, the multi-disc setup is a good smooth system when everything is set up and working properly.
Tom, it's been my experience that good flywheels aren't impossible to find and can sometimes be had for a song. People seem to have developed this irrational fear of multi-disc clutches so a lot of them are yanked out of cars when there's absolutely nothing wrong with them. I always make it a point to look at any multi-disc flywheel I see at a flea market and have found three nearly perfect ones in the past few years. I even had one guy give me one for free because "nobody wants that piece of junk and I'm sick of lugging it around"...
Deron
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Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
It took me 3 years to find my flywheel, and I had to pay a lot for it, but at least it looks NOS after I sandblasted it.
I do think the broaching is worth trying, and if it works out it could save a lot of flywheels.
I do think the broaching is worth trying, and if it works out it could save a lot of flywheels.
Just got back from looking at my new leatherback ,sat in garage in hills for 40 years .No rust, boxes of old and new parts ,5 new tires and tubes, bad some one of family started to restore.Have to check out type of clutch. I assume clutch is frozen ,engine stuck ,time to start playing.