clutch chatter

silversink

Senior Member
I have 29 A with new clutch disk, resurfaced flywheel and resurfaced pressure plate. It chatters when the clutch is released terribly. I know I'm going to have to pull it apart again just confused what might fix it. Before tearing it down it shifted perfect I thought while I got it apart I would freshen everything up---what a mistake that was.
 
I would give it a few miles to help seat the clutch.
Mine chatters after I let someone else drive it. seems most people think you need to rev up a Model A to get it moving. It will move just above idle speed quite well.
I have to do many take offs from 2nd gear to smooth out my clutch after some one else slips it too much.
Try doing the 2nd gear starts. Don't use to much throttle just let it engage slower in 2nd gear. Do this maybe 20 times or so then try 1st gear starts with low rpms. You may find it is now smooth.
 
Check flywheel runout.
Remove flywheel and attach clutch and then check/adjust pressure plate finger height. [ 5/8' or 11/16" within .002"]
Check clutch cover at 9:00, 12:00 and 3:00 shims [ I sometimes have to file] to get measurements within .010".

If there was no chatter prior to the disk replacement and plate surfacing, I would look there. But when putting it back together the rest should be done.

You didn't happen to install the flywheel 180º out ?
 
I'm not sure how clean you keep things while assembling the clutch.
All of the things mentioned by Patrick L above I assume you did.
If you had greasy fingers and left it on the disc, flywheel and Clutch plate that will cause a chatter until it wears off.
I would still put some miles on it driving before tearing back into it.
 
I have 29 A with new clutch disk, resurfaced flywheel and resurfaced pressure plate. It chatters when the clutch is released terribly. I know I'm going to have to pull it apart again just confused what might fix it. Before tearing it down it shifted perfect I thought while I got it apart I would freshen everything up---what a mistake that was.

Good advice/input so far :)
As a yuth , many decades ago, we use to put the Model A or whatever (stick shift) car, up against tree trunk. First or second gear with car running and engage clutch for short period or time:eek:. Would burn any oil greas/contaminants and/or smooth (a bit) a very rough disk. Worked !
 
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