Pressure plate adjustment
 

Getting ready to start putting my 29 Roadster back together. The engine is in the car and the flywheel is still attached. It is in great shape and I am going to replace the throw out bearing before starting to assemble the clutch. I have a new pressure plate and would like to adjust it on the bench before assembly. All the instructions I have come across detail the adjustment with the pressure plate installed on the clutch. Seems like it would be easier and more accurate to adjust it on the bench but I don't know if that is possible and if so what the adjustment measurement would be. I was thinking the 11/16 would be fine but not sure if that would be the same without it mounted and the clutch disc installed. Any advice? Thanks, Jim

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Jim, all new pressure plate's come preadjusted that I have installed. (Since late 40's)
Glen

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

I've found that the new pressure plates need to be adjusted. They are off by quite a bit in my experience. But, I've only done 4 'As' over the years.

Plus, as long as you have not yet installed the clutch it isn't take too long to check it.

I'd recommend carefully marking the flywheel when removing it. Install the clutch on the bench and measure the finger heights. All should be within .002" from one another. I turn a piece of round stock to the dimension you want. [ 5/8 or 11/16].
I then use that and adjust the fingers for an even amount of drag on the round stock. Its a lot easier than trying to measure every finger/adjustment.
I give each finger a couple taps with a hammer after an adjustment and check it again.
I'd recommend checking the clutch cover/bellhousing while everything is out. If I remember correctly it should be within .006"

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Why does the flywheel have to be removed. Can the pressure plate be adjusted BEFORE installing it on the flywheel?

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

You could check/adjust it while the flywheel is still attached if you want.

The disk and pressure plate have to be installed on the flywheel to be adjusted.

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Jim
You don't have to remove the flywheel unless you are resurfacing it or doing other service the the rear of the engine that would require removal.
11/16 should be fine clutch installed and pressure plate tightened with anew clutch disc installed.
There is an excellent procedure in the ford black cover repair manual for clutches and transmissions published in 1947. It has specs for A and V8 clutches and some excellent diagrams
I do every clutch I do as it makes a world of difference
Larry Shepard

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Years ago I had a chattering clutch. I removed the cover on the bell housing and adjusted the clutch bolts to be all even. It took a while, but worked good.

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Thanks Larry.
That is what I was hoping for. The flywheel if fine and I am installing a new pilot bearing just because. But it is going to be much easier and more accurate to adjust the pressure plate before I install it and the new disc. Thanks for your info. I have the Les Andrews manual but will look for the one you mentioned. Jim

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Repeat; you have to adjust the pressure plate with it mounted along with the clutch disk.

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Hmm, that was a waste of time.

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Good information, though. Thanks for posting.

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

I added a photo above on the clutch booklet. Ford had a number of "Repair Manuals" mostly for V8 but some include the 4cyl and they were published around 47-48. The all have lots of good information in them. They are inexpensive and well worth picking.
Larry

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Repeat............the disc and pressure plate MUST be installed to the flywheel to make the adjustment to the 6 levers. No other way will work.

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

As Tom said don't worry about doing it on the bench... just do it as an assembly installed in the engine. I have done many of them with engine in the car new clutch installed as opposed to engine/clutch together out of the car, and either way it is best done. The old days of folks bolting up a pressure plate and hoping it's good is not a good bet for a smooth correctly operating clutch.
Larry

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Hi Ray
Thanks. Maybe I was looking at this wrong.

Re: Pressure plate adjustment
 

Can be done on the bench, with the flywheel, disc and clutch assembly also on the bench, disc in place and centered in place. When you snug up the perimeter bolts, the 6 arms move as the springs in the clutch cover are compressed. once the cover is on and snug the fingers then need to be set so they all contact the T/O bearing at the same time and the pressure plate is pulled away from the disc and flywheel face for release.