Question for the expert

B

Bigpilo65

Junior Member
I am currently working on a restoration for a friend's 1914 Model T. We need to replace the clutch spring and are looking to confirm if this procedure can be completed with the engine still in the chassis, or if pulling the engine is required. Any technical insights, tips, or specialized tool recommendations for this specific year would be greatly appreciated.

TIA
 
Replacing in the car is not an easy task - easier to remove the engine & do it on the
bench !
 
No need to pull the engine on a 1914 Model T. The clutch spring can usually be replaced with the engine in the chassis. Just use a proper clutch spring compressor and inspect the clutch components while you're there.
 
The driveshaft has to be out of the way and the hogs head off to do work to the clutch. Even just replacing the spring requires access to get the pin out. I'm not sure what spring compressor the post #3 is referring to. Most folks do it with full access to the transmission innards. Release the pressure from the three clutch fingers and it comes off easy.
 
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robtt said:
No need to pull the engine on a 1914 Model T. The clutch spring can usually be replaced with the engine in the chassis. Just use a proper clutch spring compressor and inspect the clutch components while you're there.
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Good to know it’s doable in the chassis. My main worry is dropping a cotter pin or hardware down into the crankcase. I’ll make sure to stuff the transmission well full of rags before I start. Which specific spring compressor tool do you recommend that actually fits through that tiny inspection door?
 
rotorwrench said:
The driveshaft has to be out of the way and the hogs head off to do work to the clutch. Even just replacing the spring requires access to get the pin out. I'm not sure what spring compressor the post #3 is referring to. Most folks do it with full access to the transmission innards. Release the pressure from the three clutch fingers and it comes off easy.
Click to expand...
Exactly, that’s exactly what I was thinking. Trying to fight that spring and pull the pin through the tiny inspection cover sounded like a nightmare. I’m definitely pulling the engine/hogs head so I can get full access on the workbench and do it right.
 
You cannot change the spring through the hogs head /band inspection door.
As a minimum, the engine needs to be pulled forward or the rear end dropped back and the hogshead removed. You will need to fabricate a spring compressor and compress the spring in order to get the cross pin out. Simply collapsing the clutch fingers will not give you sufficient room to pull the pin out.
 
I should have stated that the spring comes off easier just due to the better access. Most folks make their own tooling to compress the spring. The late reproduction spring is pretty stout compared to an old fatiqued original. The link below has several photos that should give a person an idea of what it will take to fab up the tooling to remove or install just the spring & cup. If the engine is out and the pan off, a person just has to pull the clutch cover & spring off and put it in a press to remove the spring & cup. It would be a pita to try and pull the clutch cover with the oil pan on. The assembly really should be vertical to align the clutch pressure ring up when putting the cover back on.
https://forum.modeltfordfix.com/t/tools-for-assembly/2450

A person might be able to modify a big C clamp to fit in there. It would take a heavy duty semi circular piece welded on the solid end of the clamp to get in to the clutch sleeve. A modified piece of tube on the screw side to engage the spring cup. Where there's a will, there's a way.
 
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