Clutch freeplay

[divcoone]

I’m playing with a project started by someone else.
Right now I have over one inch distance between the face of the throw out bearing and the pressure plate fingers. By the time I take up the free play, I don’t have any pedal left. What’s wrong?
Bob Giles

 

[mcgarrett]

Have you adjusted the clutch fingers themselves? If I remember correctly, with the clutch and pressure plate bolted securely to the flywheel, each finger should be adjusted to 5/8" from the release bearing surface. Check Les Andrews' or other reliable service manuals to verify the adjustment before making adjustments to the pedal free-play. After replacing the clutch disc I adjusted mine to that measurement and my clutch is silky smooth.

 

[Mulletwagon]

Free play is not measured between the fingers and throw out bearing. When depressing the clutch pedal the distance from "full up" to sensing contact between the throw out bearing and clutch fingers should be about .5 to 1.0 inch or so. That will ensure the throw out bearing and clutch fingers are not in contact with the pedal full up, and sufficient pedal travel is available to completely disengage the clutch and avoid gear clash.

 

[nkaminar]

I second Mulletwagon. The free play is at the pedal, not at the throwout bearing. There are instructions in the "Red Book." https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=980031&cat=41621

 

[divcoone]

Thanks, I’m hoping the fingers need adjusted. Looks like a new pressure plate.

 

[katy]

The 5/8" measurement is not from the fingers to the release bearing surface, but rather it's from the fingers to the surface of the pressure plate. Refer to the "red book" that mkaminar suggested.

 

[mcgarrett]

I stand corrected.

 

[Tom Endy]

Here is how I go about adjusting the fingers.

http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pressure-plate-adjustment.pdf

Tom Endy

 

[divcoone]

Thanks, job for tomorrow.

 

[divcoone]

The pressure plate adjustment was way off, over 1 inch. The nuts are not reusable, and I can’t find replacements. Would a nylock nut work.
Bob Giles

 

[Big hammer]

Use high temperature nylocks, red nylon I believe

 

[katy]

If using nylocks make sure that the adjusting screws are deburred enough so that they don't cut up the nylon making it ineffective. Alternately, if there's enough thread on the adjusting screws you could just "double nut" it.