having troble with clutch linkage/force for 8BA/39 ****** combo

R

rambunctious

New member
having troble with clutch linkage/force for 8BA/39 ****** combo

dad's friend built a period correct model A hot rod for us with 49 Ford 8Ba and 39 ******.
the clutch efforts are very high and because of an offset from the pedal to the clutch lever arm, I have continued to bend/buckle the fabricated offset linkage.
I made a stronger one, but am afraid to lengthen it to set the correct length as I feel the clutch lever arm efforts are just tooo high?, wondering if something might be wrong in the bell housing.
He originally had a merc engine in the car, then put the ford engine in. so maybe he has the proper merc components,
I plan to check with him,

but... my question. what is the efforts to release the fork. what torque on the clutch linkage, or what force on the linkage lever arm is spec or typical.
I cannot release it by hand with a medium length wrench.

thanks


Ramb
 
This is like calling the doctor and saying I don't feel well, what is wrong? First you need to post at least a picture of the contraption that has been fabricated up. This will help diagnose if it is a design issue or an alignment issue or just a parts issue. Next is to specify what parts were used in the swap, If you have an 8ba style engine and used an 8ba style pressure plate in the conversion there are interference issues when using the earlier throw out bearings. While the 9" offers a softer clutch pedal feel both the 9 or the 10" units are perfectly ok to run. You will find it difficult to release the clutch pressure plate by hand, remember the pedal assembly provides a mechanical advantage ratio that make operation easier. If you want to get a better group of suggestions to solve your problem, post a picture and list the component that you are using. This will allow those viewing the post a better perspective on addressing your problem and a faster response to fix it.
 
I do not think that you should be having interference problems with a 10". However, you might pull the inspection plate off the transmission bell housing and look in there to see if there is any clearance issue with the knuckles of the pressure plate hitting the sides. Of course, you have to have the center floor board off. You should also be able to see the throw out bearing to make sure nothing is hanging up there.
 
You kicked this around on the HAMB for a week already...you need to find out what pressure plate is in there. Unless he swapped his BA parts for truck or Merc stuff, or redrilled the BA wheel for a 9 or 10, he probably has the 8BA 9 1/2 still in there and the whole setup is fundamentally hopeless til he fixes the problem. The linkage you showed was pretty strange but looked like it would function...I think it remains more likely the pressure plate is your problem than the linkage.
Look there first. If the assembly has to come apart, that also allows you an opportunity to replace the cobbled linkage with '48 Ford stuff that can fit pedals properly.
 
Here's one of my favorites. You start mixing parts and then try to figure out just how smart/dumb you really are.

In this case, the throw-out bearing hub hung up on the pressure plate fingers. Had we continued to stand on the clutch pedal (took lots of effort for sure), we'd have trimmed the end right off.

Hotrodding can be a ***** at times.


throwoutdisphragm.jpg
 
An 8BA Long would be about like that, edges of finger pads riding the hub...I am very suspicious because there is no info on the plate. This suggests that the guy just bolted up all his 8BA parts, thinking the adaptor ring was the only issue.
 
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