The Ford Barn

renobill · 07-16-2021, 09:26 AM

I have a 1930 Victoria, 1947 Flathead, Speedway adapter for a Chevy S-10, T5 transmission. I recently pulled the Transmission to check on a "chatter" in the clutch and found nothing wrong (ie: no fluid or subsatances on the clutch disk, etc. Now I can't get the clutch to engage properly. I have replaced the slave cylinder, adjusted the push rod of the slave, bleed the master clutch cylinder and slave countless times. I can start the car in gear and the clutch seems to work but if I start in neutral and try to shift into any gear, it won't go. If I adjust the push rod to its max and push the car in gear slowly while depressing the clutch it will engage and the car will move but as I continue to depress the clutch it will disengage as the clutch pedal nears the floor. HELP!

nkaminar · 07-16-2021, 10:28 AM

I am not the expert on V8 cars, but I would guess that something is dragging in the clutch. Probably the clutch disk. It may be related to the chattering. I know that with a stock Model A clutch, the height of the fingers for the pressure plate have to be set within +/- 0.002 inch. It could be that some dirt or other contaminate is behind the clutch pressure plate causing one part of the pressure plate to be pushing on the clutch disk while the other part is not.

Nice car, by the way.

Ruth · 07-16-2021, 10:33 AM

Since it sounds like you have a modern setup with a hydraulic clutch I would suggest you ask your question over on The Ford Barns sister publication, The Jalopy Journal. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/

Patrick L. · 07-16-2021, 10:50 AM

Finger or diaphragm pressure plate ? I'm thinking its a diaphragm.

renobill · 07-16-2021, 06:53 PM

Its a finger pressure plate.

Patrick L. · 07-16-2021, 07:20 PM

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Hmm, thats strange. How much free-play do you have ? It kinda sorta sounds like you don't have any or enough free-play and pushing the fingers too far. Free-play should still be there [ 1-1.5 "] with the finger pressure plate.

nkaminar · 07-17-2021, 06:16 PM

Bill, Not sure it this will help because it is related to Model A's. But a clutch is a clutch. The "Model A Ford Troubleshooting & Diagnostics" book by Les Andrews lists the possible causes of clutch drag as: Excessive free play, Clutch disk warped, Loose rivets in clutch disk, Bent transmission shaft or tight fit or burred splines or splines covered with gummy oil and dirt, Broken springs in clutch disk, Worn main transmission bearings, Warped bell housing, Warped pressure plate, Grease and oil on clutch facing, Engine not aligned due to broken motor mounts, Loose bell housing on engine.

The recommendations for 11 out of the 12 reasons is to replace things.

daren007 · 07-18-2021, 09:44 PM

Go back to stock. Problem solved.

07-16-2021, 10:28 AM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: Clutch Problems I am not the expert on V8 cars, but I would guess that something is dragging in the clutch. Probably the clutch disk. It may be related to the chattering. I know that with a stock Model A clutch, the height of the fingers for the pressure plate have to be set within +/- 0.002 inch. It could be that some dirt or other contaminate is behind the clutch pressure plate causing one part of the pressure plate to be pushing on the clutch disk while the other part is not. Nice car, by the way. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-16-2021, 10:33 AM	#3
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,336	Re: Clutch Problems Since it sounds like you have a modern setup with a hydraulic clutch I would suggest you ask your question over on The Ford Barns sister publication, The Jalopy Journal. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/ __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

07-16-2021, 10:50 AM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Clutch Problems Finger or diaphragm pressure plate ? I'm thinking its a diaphragm.

07-16-2021, 06:53 PM	#5
renobill Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 8	Re: Clutch Problems Its a finger pressure plate.

07-16-2021, 07:20 PM	#6
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Clutch Problems Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Hmm, thats strange. How much free-play do you have ? It kinda sorta sounds like you don't have any or enough free-play and pushing the fingers too far. Free-play should still be there [ 1-1.5 "] with the finger pressure plate.

07-17-2021, 06:16 PM	#7
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,899	Re: Clutch Problems Bill, Not sure it this will help because it is related to Model A's. But a clutch is a clutch. The "Model A Ford Troubleshooting & Diagnostics" book by Les Andrews lists the possible causes of clutch drag as: Excessive free play, Clutch disk warped, Loose rivets in clutch disk, Bent transmission shaft or tight fit or burred splines or splines covered with gummy oil and dirt, Broken springs in clutch disk, Worn main transmission bearings, Warped bell housing, Warped pressure plate, Grease and oil on clutch facing, Engine not aligned due to broken motor mounts, Loose bell housing on engine. The recommendations for 11 out of the 12 reasons is to replace things. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 07-17-2021 at 06:21 PM.

07-18-2021, 09:44 PM	#8
daren007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Saint Cloud Mn Posts: 745	Re: Clutch Problems Go back to stock. Problem solved.