clutch problem 51 ford

[Bullerman]

Had pressure plate, clutch disk, throw out bearing and pilot bearing.
Still have the same chatter as I did before. Maybe even worse. I am going back to the mechanic I had do it tomorrow as ask him he had the flywheel resurfaced. The motor mounts look ok. Someone said check the fluid in the transmission. I need to check it but I can't see this making it shudder on take off.
The linkage is not great but it adjust out to 1 1/2" play. I can feel the pedal pulsate.
I used a pressure plate and clutch disk from Shoe Box Central.
I may have to take it back apart myself which I don't want to. I don't have a lift. I paid somebody else to do it and it's still not fixed.
I hate to drive it the way it is.

 

[Bullerman]

Just talked to FWC.I discribed my problem and the said that it is most likly a linkage problem.My clutch adj. is just about all the way in allthe piviots that I can see are OK.The thro out brg was quiet and seems to be sliding freely on the trans snout.Could it be a bent T.O. arm ore a worn fulcrum?I guess I will have to pull the trans.
and find out.Damb!!!!!Phil

Just wondering if you got your problem fixed. I have a 51 with clutch problems also. Mine shudder bad on clutch release. Had a new clutch, pressure plate, clutch disk and pilot bearing put it. Still does the same thing.
My linkage has a lot of wear on it also. I wonder if that could be my problem. I have a lot of up and down play in the throwout bearing arm also. It is almost like it's not connected to anything inside the bell housing except the throw out bearing. It has to be connected to some kind of pivot point for the arm.
Still trying to figure it out. Cars good except for this problem.
I forgot it does shudder on downshift from 3rd to 2nd.

 

[Bullerman]

Trainguy. When you said the clutch fork had slipped out of it pivot did you mean the arm that holds the throw out bearing.
I am not sure that's not what wrong with mine. I am trying to figure out what holds the arm in place. My linkage is worn pretty bad.

 

[Dick]

I have found mismatched parts can be an issue. The throwout forks are different, the bearing hubs are different and a few of the other parts can be as well. Picture 3 is '52 @ '53

I've also found the TO bearing not properly seated on the hub. I had them come new and assembled and be at an angle on the hub. (Pulsing pedal?)

I had a TO bearing collapse into itself loosing adjustment.

OEM parts helps solve these issues in my case.

These pictures might help.

 

[Bullerman]

I could have some mismatched parts. I question if I have the correct clutch release rod. Mine could be to long. I do have wear in the rest of the linkage.
I have asked and I can't figure out what the release lever rod pivots on in side the bell housing. What holds it in place. Mine has a lot of up and down play like nothing is holding it in place.does the anti rattle spring so that
Is there any place to buy a release equalizer bar and clutch pedal shaft. These are worn pretty good.
Strange thing is it was basically doing the same thing before I had everything changed. Didn't really make that much difference.
The guy that put the clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing in said he checked the motor mounts and said they were good.
Thanks for the photos and advice.

 

[flatford8]

Trainguy. When you said the clutch fork had slipped out of it pivot did you mean the arm that holds the throw out bearing.
I am not sure that's not what wrong with mine. I am trying to figure out what holds the arm in place. My linkage is worn pretty bad.

Bullerman….the last post from Trainguy in this thread is from June of 2013….Im not trying to project anyone’s demise but I don’t think Phil is with us any longer…….Mark

 

[Bullerman]

Sorry to hear that. Thanks for letting me know. Just trying to figure out what my problem is.

 

[tubman]

It looks like somebody was in there doing some "imaginative engineering". I find that in cases like this, it is better start to start with parts that are known as good. Luckily for you, those shouldn't be to hard to find. There are many good diagrams (complete with the proper part numbers) around. I'm sure many on here would be willing to help with pictures, etc.

I'd start from scratch.

 

[Bullerman]

Can you see what the arm pivots on in the bell housing. I can't find any information on this.

 

[Shoebox]

Can you see what the arm pivots on in the bell housing. I can't find any information on this.

Getting ready to install flywheel, clutch, bellhousing and trans on my 51. Hope this view helps.

 

[cadillac512]

Can you see what the arm pivots on in the bell housing. I can't find any information on this.

I believe the clutch release arm pivots on a flat "fin" of steel bolted to the bellhousing. The fin sits in a groove in the arm and the arm is kept in place on this fin by a small wire clip that's a ***** to install properly. If the wire clip is bent or missing it'll never keep the arm in place.

This MAY be part of your adjustment trouble, but as for the chatter....that's another thing. LOTS of available clutches are crap and will chatter in these cars even if everything is set up properly. Just bad parts. What seems to always work is to shell out the bucks for a flywheel and complete diaphragm clutch assembly from Centerforce.

 

[Bullerman]

Yes this does help. This sure wasn't one of Fords better ideas. So basically the bell housing has to be off to install the arm and throwout bearing. I got a new clip in today. The guy at Shoe Box Central said one for a mid sixties Mustang will work. Thanks for the photos.

 

[Bullerman]

Well I think the book is wrong...my 51 coupe was built in late Oct. 1950
and my 51 Vic was built in July 1951

the rod on both cars is about 12-7/8" (roughly)
here are the pics see if yours looks like this. please excuse the poor pic

No mine doesn't look like that. Doesn't have that little tab off the back of the back of the release equalizer bar. I could see the way yours is made the rod would be longer. I am thinking I have the longer rod on mine. Still don't know that that would make any difference though. I think I have the correct one coming.

 

[Bullerman]

This is from Van Pelts.

Is there a video anywhere you know if showing how to install the spring that holds the throwout bearing arm in place or anything that tells how to install it. They say it is hard to get it right. I ordered one for a mid 60's Mustang I was told would work. I do have some up and down play in the arm but I can see where you would have some.

 

[cadillac512]

Is there a video anywhere you know if showing how to install the spring that holds the throwout bearing arm in place or anything that tells how to install it. They say it is hard to get it right. I ordered one for a mid 60's Mustang I was told would work. I do have some up and down play in the arm but I can see where you would have some.

If yours is like shoebox's above, here's a pic by dakotafarmboy back in '18 that shows the clip installed. Close to a '60's Mustang style.

 

[cadillac512]

And another link....


https://www.vintage-mustang.com/threads/fork-anti-rattle-spring.624046/

 

[Bullerman]

Thanks for the pictures. I can finally understand how it hooks up. Not a great set up but that's the way it is. As much up and down slack as I have in the arm it has to be either off or gone. This one I got for a Mustang looks the same.
Wonder if there is any way to pull the transmission back to were you can get at it to change it or do you have to pull the bell housing off.
If the arm is moving around that wouldn't have anything to do with the chatter? I don't know I am just asking.
I may but the bullet and order a new flywheel and diaphragm style pressure plate. Is there an adjustment of the fingers for those.
If I do this I am going to have to do it myself. I spent 1000 dollars having someone else do it.
Thanks again for the pictures.

 

[Gene1949]

Centerforce II clutch (# DF021221) and flywheel (# 700360)
You won't be sorry