Clutch Assist

Bob Grieb

Bob Grieb

Senior Member
Depressing the clutch on my Model A is becoming more difficult because of nerve damage in my foot.
I am wondering (Asking) if anyone is aware of some type of assist that I might get that lessen the pressure required to depress the clutch. At present I have the standard 'A' clutch and pressure plate.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Bob
 
I wonder if a clutch rebuilding business (such as for semi-trucks) could build you a custom clutch with lighter weight springs? Using a standard Model A pressure plate, they'd only need to find springs with less tension and replace the ones in the Model A clutch. Doing that and adding a longer clutch arm as "1955cj5" suggests just might make life easier for you in your Model A. Otherwise, the next step would be installing an automatic transmission. It's been done before, so why not now? The 4ever4 racing group has a couple people who have installed automatics in their hill climbing Model A's and T's. Jim Brierley could probably supply names and maybe past articles about how to do this from his speed club magazine?
Marshall
 
First, try the longer arm

If something softer is needed, try a V-8 clutch, requires machining the flywheel

I have also heard, a diaphragm clutch is available but have not had any experience

My opinion
Chris W
 
Great thread...I'm sure a lot of folks are in a similar boat. I hope the information proves to be helpful and will include a followup report.
 
I have a V-8 clutch and pressure plate in my A, and the pedal pressure difference is very noticeable. I drove a friend’s recently with the stock setup and could not believe the difference.
 
I have the V8 clutch and it doesn't feel like it will work, it is so easy to depress compared to the Model A clutch it is replacing. But it does work and holds even on the steepest hills. With the gear changes there is no unwanted slipping. With the longer arm added it, seems to me, the weight of your foot would depress the clutch without having to do more than putting your foot on the pedal and relaxing the muscle. That arm also will not split by the pin and leave you with no clutch release. Just the arm will probably be all you would really need to relieve your problem, unless it is a high point show car. In that case the arm doesn't look original and you'd lose points, so the V8 would become the only option. That is much more involved and costly.
 
Thanks for all the input. I need to research the V8 clutch and the longer arm.

I talked to a fellow at tbe recent F.A.ST. hill climb who had a automatic tranmission from an older Chrysler slant 6 engine. He was a welder by trade and had to make all the bracketry. He said that there was not a kit avaulable to make the adaptation.
I need to gather more information and see if I can resokve my problem.
 
I have a friend who removed every other spring from his Model A pressure plate. He says it never slips and the effort to disengage it is very much less. He lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota and climbs some real steep grades with no slippage.
 
I am not familiar with a hydraulic clutch. I will look for sone information.

I am leaviing for the holiday but I will keepong talking with people and study all of the inputs.

As always thanks for the help.

Bob
 
Never had a problem pushing in the clutch, even double clutching seems to be a breeze...and I don't know why.
 

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I've driven an A with the V8 clutch and it really makes it easy to drive the car if you have any infirmities.The longer clutch arm makes a big difference,it is a cheap easy modification,and may work for you.The clutch in my Tudor is like stepping on a rubber band,it must be worn out,but doesn't slip or chatter.Keith,that picture reminds me of a picture in the snowmobile magazines in the early 70's.There was a man that started the machines when they got to the end of the assembly line in the Quebec Skidoo plant.His right arm looked like that.I think his name was Armand,That must have been quite a chore,pulling over those old high compression single single cylinders until the fuel was sucked up from the tank.
 
Bob,
My suggestion would be in line with Crhis's that I would try the extended arm that is available. The early '28 clutch arms were longer so before the repro extended arms were available that was the arm to look for. Some pressure plate springs can be very heavy. I might suggest talking to a clutch rebuilder in your area. One near me is Unique Clutches in jonesburg, MIssouri and the do a lot for folks I believe around the counntry. I been exposed to the V8's since high school days ( 1978) and drive my 40 all the time. Honestly I don't think that clutch is any easier than my "A's". In fact it may be stiffer.
TRy the arm first and see how that goes.

Larry Shepard
 
Going with an automatic should be your last option

Major custom fabrication involved

I know the person you talked to at the gHill Climb
Great guy very knowledgeable

I do not think a hydraulic clutch will buy anything but again a lot of custom fabricating

We only resort to hydraulic clutch when confronted with a difficult situation with linkage

In the end it still takes the same amount of force pushing on the fingers to release the clutch
Try the longer arm first very noticeable improvement, then a softer clutch if necessary

My experience and opinion

Chris W
 
CarlG said:
I am using the diaphragm type pressure plate and it does the job for m.
Click to expand...

I too have a diaphragm clutch with a suitable throw out bearing that all fitted very simply although I can't recall whether or not the flywheel had to be drilled and tapped to suit the mounting bolts?
Keith
 
Some cars, maybe in the '70s or 80s, had an "over center" mechanism, with a "helper" spring, to soften clutch pedal pressure. "Maybe" one of these units could be mounted on the clutch pedal???--Check a wrecking yard, for such a unit.
Bill Soft
 
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