3 speed clutch lever throw

F

Fatboy Tim

Member
Men

Driving me nuts, flathead rebuilt and 3 speed gearbox (******) rebuilt in 32 coupe, all back in but can't get a gear. OK in neutral but when clutch pressed won't let me select a gear (loud grinding noise, not good).

Looking thru' inspection hole I can see the pressure plate moving but not by much.

Question is, how far should the travel on the lever be on the outside of the gearbox, mine moves from 12 o'clock to 11 o'clock, is that enough?

Some folks seem to cut down the lever by 1/4 inch to get more movement, anyone done that?

Thanks for helping.

PS Pressure plate is 10inch, I know thats not standard but its what came with the car.
 
Are you using stock pedals and likage? How long has the clutch been bolted up? They can stick over time.
 
Fb,
Seems like the longer the lever the greater the influence it would have releasing the clutch.
The '32 lever was the longest of any....and it was long....probably 5" from pivot to eye.
I've got a few in my stash if you are interested.
Charlie ny
cas5845@yahoo.com
 
Charlie...The SHORTER the lever on the trans, the MORE degrees of rotation on the clutch release shaft (greater travel of throwout fork) for the same pedal input. I know you KNEW that! DD
 
Charlie ny said:
Coop,
I'm asleep at the lever.........right you are.
Charlie ny
Click to expand...

Charlie...You're cool, Sir! Kinda funny, 'cause about three months ago, Robert Dip brought-up a thread discussing essentially the same subject...increasing OR decreasing effective length of that arm, and the resultant throw of such. The amusing part was when a certain Dick Sp...... could not quite get the physics of it straight in his head. His many replies in the thread are amusing. He went down fighting, yet disagreeing to the finish. That thread below! DD

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106948&page=3
 
At the same time a short arm on the cross link make the foot pedal harder to push down so there is a trade-off and happy median. If you have a lot of extra play (or wear) in the linkage, it may require a shorter cross-link arm also.
 
Original or late model flathead? Do you have the right flywheel? I put the wrong one in and according to forum, that's a problem..............
 
Andy mentioned the disk sticking usually due to corrosion on the parts. The pilot bearing can freeze up if it gets rusty too. If the clutch disk is installed backwards it won't work right for sure. Some of the foreign made repro parts have problems too. The old OEM stuff rebuilt by a reputable outfit is many times a better way to go
 
V8Coop......opening up 'Pandora's Box' again...are you.....fun stuff, but I'll stay out of this one.....Cheers....Robert
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top