Rattling noise while driving

[legacy]

I just got a 1928 Model A with a multi disk clutch. I don't have any experience with a Model A.
I was driving the car and something started rattling, it got worse if I pushed in the clutch pedal.
I removed the inspection panel on top of the bell housing., there is a disk that is right ahead of the throw out bearing. That disk is loose and I can spin it on the shaft. That's what is causing the rattling.
What am I looking at here and what do I need to do to fix this.
Thanks

[Mulletwagon]

Look close and try to determine if your throw out bearing has separated. May need a throw out bearing change. If so, need to pull back the rear axle and drop the trans to remove the bearing. Interesting caper, let us know what you determine.

[GRutter]

The Multi Disc clutch can be noisy. That clutch is unique to the early 28 models only and was replaced with the single disc clutch in late 28.

The clutch consists of multiple driven lined discs with "teeth" that fit into the flywheel, and alternating unlined discs that are splined to a center hub. They discs can become noisy as the teeth wear and "rattle" in the flywheel.

As far as I am aware, reproduction discs (lined and unlined) as well as the throwout bearing for the multidisc clutch are not available. Keep an eye out for these parts or place an ad here for them. Parts are available and sometimes you may need to find several clutch packs to get enough good discs. The discs can be relined, but you need discs with good teeth. Once rebuilt, a multidisc clutch will give good service.

Replacing the multidisc clutch with the later single disc clutch is also possible, but not easy. The flywheel, clutch, bell housing, transmission and pedals are different. But later model parts may be easier to find and reproduction clutch discs and bearings are available.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Pictures would be very helpful

[legacy]

Thank you all for the information. I am going to take it all apart and have a look.
I'll let you know what I find.
I can't take any pictures yet, all I have open is the inspiration plate on top of the bell housing. Byt by reaching in there, I can touch what feels like a round cover of some sort and I can just turn it on the shaft.

[legacy]

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After some more searching, I found out that my 1928 Model A has a 1935-42 V8 Ford 09A-7563 pressure plate.
The pressure plate installed in this car is very different from what I expected to see.
Anyway, there is a thin plate within the pressure plate assembly that is loose and rattling around.

[GRutter]

It appears then that you must not have an early 28, or somewhere during it's history, the flywheel, bellhousing, and transmission were changed. Also changing to the V8 pressure plate is a pretty common modification.

The only "plate" within the pressure plate assy should be part of the clutch disc... the plate that is riveted to the disc and part of the spring retention.

Please attach a picture of what you're seeing.

[legacy]

Going by the serial number stamped on the engine, this car was built in mid December 1928.
It should have a multi disk clutch, I checked with the previous owner and he says that it's a multi disk clutch. But after what you told me, I am not so sure anymore.
Obviously there were modifications done and this car is not stock.
I have to move the car to a friends garage before I take anything else apart. Right now I am using a horoscope and looking in the thru the inspection hole in the bell housing.
After I take it all apart, I will take pictures and send them in.
Thank you got your help.

[GRutter]

Originally Posted by legacy

Going by the serial number stamped on the engine, this car was built in mid December 1928.
It should have a multi disk clutch, I checked with the previous owner and he says that it's a multi disk clutch. But after what you told me, I am not so sure anymore.

Ford changed to the single disc clutch after October 1928. If the engine is Dec 28 then the single disc clutch would be correct. Sounds like you have a failed clutch disc. Pull the transmission back and it should be a very straightforward repair. Good opportunity to also replace pilot and throwout bearings.

[katy]

all I have open is the inspiration plate on top of the bell housing

Hmmm, interesting.

[Jack Shaft]

Legacy,love your spell check...hope the horoscope give you inspiration to pull her down...

[legacy]

The spell check keeps changing my words, it should say " boroscope and inspection"
I will pay more attention next time.
After all, I spent most of my working life doing Inspections using a Boroscope.

[legacy]

The problem was that the clutch disc came apart.
If I could figure how, I would send you the picture, the disk is in three pieces and all the small pieces were at the bottom of the case.
New disk is installed and works fine.

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by legacy

The problem was that the clutch disc came apart.
If I could figure how, I would send you the picture, the disk is in three pieces and all the small pieces were at the bottom of the case.
New disk is installed and works fine.

Does it look like the clutch that came apart was one of the clutch disks with the ring of small springs between the center hub and the rest of the clutch disc? Kind of like this:



Then those springs would make up the debris you found in the bottom of the flywheel housing?

.

[legacy]

Yes it did have the springs. And you are right, that was causing all the rattling.

[ETAModel]

Originally Posted by legacy

The problem was that the clutch disc came apart.
If I could figure how, I would send you the picture, the disk is in three pieces and all the small pieces were at the bottom of the case.
New disk is installed and works fine.

Legacy, I'm glad you got it repaired. Could you tell me how you got the old clutch out and the new one in? I'm always looking for a new/easier way to do things.
Thanks

[McMimmcs]

[/B]

Originally Posted by legacy

The spell check keeps changing my words, it should say " boroscope and inspection"
I will pay more attention next time.
After all, I spent most of my working life doing Inspections using a Boroscope.

Don’t let it bother you, we all knew what you meant and there is not one of us that is perfect!

[old31]

Originally Posted by legacy

The spell check keeps changing my words, it should say " boroscope and inspection"
I will pay more attention next time.
After all, I spent most of my working life doing Inspections using a Boroscope.

That's funny. I read horoscope and just thought that you were being clever by changing the words from boroscope to horoscope.

I said, now after what this guy is going through, he still has a sense of humor.

[legacy]

Originally Posted by legacy

I just got a 1928 Model A with a multi disk clutch. I don't have any experience with a Model A.
I was driving the car and something started rattling, it got worse if I pushed in the clutch pedal.
I removed the inspection panel on top of the bell housing., there is a disk that is right ahead of the throw out bearing. That disk is loose and I can spin it on the shaft. That's what is causing the rattling.
What am I looking at here and what do I need to do to fix this.
Thanks

As it turns out, my car has a single clutch disk not a multi disk as I thought.
The problem or the noise was because the disk came apart and bits and pieces were rolling around at the bottom of the case.

[legacy]

Thanks everyone, for all the replies and suggestions.