Clutch chatter

[Gold Digger]

The clutch has been gradually getting worse with chatter. I have bought new rear motor mounts but haven't installed them yet. Just wondering if who ever installed the engine in this car may have left the shims out from between the engine and bell housing and if this would cause clutch chatter. I've not owned this car long and am finding little things that the mechanic that worked on it was a good mechanic but not a model A mechanic. I don't have any oil leaks at all so I've ruled out an oily clutch.

[Marshall V. Daut]

Remove the clutch inspection cover on the top of the bellhousing. (Upper floorboard must first be taken out.) Using a flashlight, look at the hub of the clutch disk. If there are no springs around the circumference of the clutch disk, a so-called "truck" clutch disk is present. These were reputedly used in heavier trucks as a replacement part and were supposedly tougher and harder to burn out. What they actually do is cause clutch chatter. As they wear, they get worse. 'Been there.
If springs are present, however, it may be that oil from a severely leaking rear main bearing or too much grease being pumped into the throwout bearing hub is coating the lining faces. If the clutch disk lining faces are compromised, that will cause chattering.
Unless the flywheel housing and bellhousing are drastically misaligned or twisted, it's unlikely that the missing very thin "ear" shims will cause clutch chatter. Not impossible, but unlikely. Severe clutch chatter can also be caused by burns in the pressure plate and/or flywheel faces. Badly grooved or scored faces will also cause this condition.
But, first things first: are springs present in the clutch disk?
Marshall

[Jacksonlll]

Check your rear spring shackles. A broken one can fool you.

[Dollar Bill]

OP States: "gradually getting worse with chatter" and "Just wondering if who ever installed the engine in this car may have left the shims out from between the engine and bell housing" and "I don't have any oil leaks at all so I've ruled out an oily clutch"

Initial description indicates problem is getting worse - varying. Where the missing shims would be a constant.

Most fault isolation is a process of elimination. Qualify each suspect and move on. I'm lazy so I do the easy things first.

I'm in the "greasy clutch" camp. It doesn't take much grease to contaminate the disk so no oil leaks isn't a solid diagnosis. Problem is easy enough to correct by removing inspection cover, blocking the clutch pedal and washing down the clutch with brake cleaner. Take it for a spin and if no difference then the next likely suspect would be motor mounts or shackles as Mr. Jackson pointed out.

[Gold Digger]

I've got some badly worn rear spring shackles that I've not replaced yet. That could be the problem more than the motor mounts. Thanks for all the help guys.

[Art Newland]

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+1 for the over-lubricated throw-out bearing

[Fullraceflathead]

I was able to add the shims on mine as they were missing.
Loosen the bolts one full turn and pry whit a large flat screw driver and the shims will slide into place. You may want to grease them first so they stick instead of drop.