The Ford Barn

asapguy · 07-26-2020, 03:03 PM

Just got back from helping a guy that just moved to this area from Montana. He has a nicely restored 29 special cp. with less then 300 miles since resto. A couple days ago he was going about 30-35 mph & down shifted to 2nd gear. Says his foot slipped off the clutch & he was jerked forward. Now the clutch won't disengage. I thought maybe pin sheared in clutch fork but the throughout bearing pushes in on the release fingers & everything looks OK. He had way too much free play so I took up the adjustment & the there is plenty of movement to release the clutch. With the rear wheels off the ground & motor running clutch peddle all the way down it just grinds if you try to put it in gear. I've had Model A's for over 60 yrs. & not had this problem. Any ideas?? Perry

MAG · 07-26-2020, 04:06 PM

Remove the floorboard and the inspection plate. Rotate the engine with the crank and look for a Clutch Disc Torsion Spring out of place. If so, bummer!
Some clutch discs have "keepers" over the springs to keep them in place. Some have a internal projection that protrudes inside the spring. It is supposed to keep the spring from coming out. But, having had that experience, they will come out and lock the clutch up.

Patrick L. · 07-26-2020, 06:00 PM

Sounds like Mag is on the right track.

Did the owner say if there was a difference in the amount of free-play when this happened ?

asapguy · 07-27-2020, 09:57 AM

He orig. had about 2" of peddle travel before throughout bearing contacted release fingers in the pressure plate. I adj'ed it to about an inch. The fork pushes the bearing in plenty far but the clutch plate never stops spinning. I called & told him to do what MAG mentioned.

PC/SR · 07-27-2020, 10:21 AM

Try with the 2" or so free play. Try the easy stuff first, and either fix or eliminate that as a consideration.

Patrick L. · 07-27-2020, 10:42 AM

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My question was whether there was a freeplay difference before and after the break/problem occurred.

Jacksonlll · 07-27-2020, 11:24 AM

Inspect the clutch arm that the pedal linkage pulls on when you push down the pedal. It may be cracked. Common failure.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 07-27-2020, 05:10 PM

Perry, we had 16 model A’s and lee’s 39 on tour Sat up to carnation. I got to wondering how you’re doing. Good to hear your out and about.

eagle · 07-28-2020, 04:56 PM

As Jackson mentioned, the clutch arm can crack. It will appear to be moving the clutch as normal but won't have enough throw.

07-26-2020, 03:03 PM	#1
asapguy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Snohomish Wa. Posts: 389	Clutch won't disengage Just got back from helping a guy that just moved to this area from Montana. He has a nicely restored 29 special cp. with less then 300 miles since resto. A couple days ago he was going about 30-35 mph & down shifted to 2nd gear. Says his foot slipped off the clutch & he was jerked forward. Now the clutch won't disengage. I thought maybe pin sheared in clutch fork but the throughout bearing pushes in on the release fingers & everything looks OK. He had way too much free play so I took up the adjustment & the there is plenty of movement to release the clutch. With the rear wheels off the ground & motor running clutch peddle all the way down it just grinds if you try to put it in gear. I've had Model A's for over 60 yrs. & not had this problem. Any ideas?? Perry

07-26-2020, 04:06 PM	#2
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 925	Re: Clutch won't disengage Remove the floorboard and the inspection plate. Rotate the engine with the crank and look for a Clutch Disc Torsion Spring out of place. If so, bummer! Some clutch discs have "keepers" over the springs to keep them in place. Some have a internal projection that protrudes inside the spring. It is supposed to keep the spring from coming out. But, having had that experience, they will come out and lock the clutch up. __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!

07-26-2020, 06:00 PM	#3
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Clutch won't disengage Sounds like Mag is on the right track. Did the owner say if there was a difference in the amount of free-play when this happened ?

07-27-2020, 09:57 AM	#4
asapguy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Snohomish Wa. Posts: 389	Re: Clutch won't disengage He orig. had about 2" of peddle travel before throughout bearing contacted release fingers in the pressure plate. I adj'ed it to about an inch. The fork pushes the bearing in plenty far but the clutch plate never stops spinning. I called & told him to do what MAG mentioned.

07-27-2020, 10:21 AM	#5
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,278	Re: Clutch won't disengage Try with the 2" or so free play. Try the easy stuff first, and either fix or eliminate that as a consideration.

07-27-2020, 10:42 AM	#6
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Clutch won't disengage Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My question was whether there was a freeplay difference before and after the break/problem occurred.

07-27-2020, 11:24 AM	#7
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Clutch won't disengage Inspect the clutch arm that the pedal linkage pulls on when you push down the pedal. It may be cracked. Common failure.

07-27-2020, 05:10 PM	#8
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Clutch won't disengage Perry, we had 16 model A’s and lee’s 39 on tour Sat up to carnation. I got to wondering how you’re doing. Good to hear your out and about.

07-28-2020, 04:56 PM	#9
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Clutch won't disengage As Jackson mentioned, the clutch arm can crack. It will appear to be moving the clutch as normal but won't have enough throw. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."