[Joe K]

Back during the Ahooga Days (the "other" forum when that was all there was) I think the general consensus then was that the multi-disk drum clutch was basically a good clutch - no one had ever heard of a multi-disk wearing out or requiring new plates, either stationary or moving. Basically a "use it for life" design friction wise which was borrowed from the Lincoln or some other high end car of the period.

BUT - I think experience has shown that the multi-disk suffers from two faults: one being the fingers wear the flywheel teeth to the point where the disks get hung up and the clutch release becomes intermittent. The other being that worn friction material collects internally in the grooves and hangs up the innermost disks.

Were I to own one, I would certainly examine it closely for the first issue. The second issue can be gotten past by a good cleaning and re-assembly - which is basically why Ford offered the disassembly instructions in the first place. It was rare in that time frame for a car to NOT require disassembly and such maintenance was expected and part of good operation.

We've become spoiled by the advent of single plate clutches requiring (usually) but one replacement of the clutch friction disk during a normal car lifetime.

I've heard here discussion about how easy it is to change a multi to a single plate clutch. I might expect these to be those who found the drum clutch too worn in the internal teeth and were thus left with no other way? But doubtless someone will come forward as a driver and claim "I changed it because it did't work as well as I was used to - and I know Model A's."

Well, it's an open forum.

But were it me and were it at all possible, I think I would try to keep it original. I would make the same comment for any Model A with other early features such as single brake system or Type H headlights.

They don't make any more of these. And it's a shame when one is lost.

Just one thought. I get them now and then. Wife says I'll be the death of her yet.

Joe K