Pressure Plate

T

Tootall

Junior Member
I am reinstalling an original clutch and pressure plate in a car with a new engine. Is it necessary to bring the pressure plate fingers back to the 5/8ths clearance or distance?
 
Where is this "5/8" figure coming from, there seems to be a obsession with adjusting the pressure plates, the spec I have from a Ford clutch, transmission rebuild book (# 3697-47) is 3/4" for the pre 1935 pressure plate, and a disc or gauge plate thickness of 0.340"
11/16 for the 35 on 9" with .340 disc (V8 clutch as used in conversions)
15/16 for 10" PP with 0.295 disc/gauge plate
7/8" for 11" PP with 0.365 disc/gauge plate
 
The first dimension I took note of was in Les Andrew book,he states the 5/8" or .625 dimension of finger to pressure plate collar.
 
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I seem to remember Bratton's said to adjust to ⅝" same as Snyder's and Les Andrews. Then Bratton's went to 11/16".

NOW you'll see that Bratton's tool instructions has changed 13/16".https://www.brattons.com/clutch-finger-adjustment-tool.html I have this same tool and it measures .625" (⅝"). Go figure.

I set mine at ⅝" and my clutch works fine. The main thing is to ensure they are all the same height. Mine were not.
 
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Much ado about nothing on my part last couple weeks.I sent the pressure plat back to Fort Wayne and they would not readjust or set to where I wanted it to be ,sent back at my cost shipping.
 
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Keep in mind that adjustment has to be made with clutch disk and pressure plate installed on flywheel. Flywheel depth varies based on how much material has been removed from past grindings, and thickness of clutch changes due to normal wear. This will affect measurement and the reasons why you must make adjustment of fingers installed on flywheel. A factory setting of the pressure plate fingers will only work out if all parts are factory new, and still a check and adjustment must be made. This adjustment is made.. 1) to make sure pedal travel is optimal, and 2) to make sure all fingers are at the same height so when throwout bearing contacts them, even pressure is exerted on all fingers.
 
I don't even bother with adjusting finger height . If the fingers are not all at the same level I simply replace the pressure plate with a rebuilt or good used pressure plate . The adjustment height that I have seen advertised for many years is 5/8 . The overall finger height can vary . I have found that the important thing is that all fingers need to be at the same height . The clutch is adjustable .for pedal height


I have been told that the rebuilt pressure plates are better than the foreign made new pressure plates . I have always used rebuilt pressure plates when the pressure plate needed replacement . I've never had a problem with a rebuilt pressure plate .
 
The fingers of the pressure plate must be adjusted to between 5\8" and 3\4" with 11\16" being nominal. All the fingers must be equal. If this adjustment is not correct you will never get s clutch adjustment with the pedal rod.


The attached article may be of help with the process.


Tom Endy
 

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FWIIW I followed what Tom said in his article when I installed a new clutch disk and it works GREAT!! Tom is a wonderful asset to our hobby.
 
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