Clutch pedal adjustment

[nellis003]

Hi all,

Just got our '29 Roadster Pickup running after a complete engine rebuild. Runs great, but when I try to put her into gear, it grinds like the clutch isn't engaged.

I put in a new clutch when I did the engine work, but I'm not sure how to adjust the pedal. I see how to do the adjustment itself, but I don't know how to get it so it's at the correct setting.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick

[bogdonj]

The pedal travel should have 1 inch of free play before the throw out bearing touches the fingers

[ford3]

its best to use your hand when adjusting free play, push pedal down with your fingers, its easier to tell when the throw out bearing hits pressure plate fingers, and sinch the model a trans has straight cut gears and no synco it will gring going into any gear until you figure out how to double clutch, when putting trans in low gear it helps to shift trans into second first then low, going into second slows the turning of the gears so you can shift into low with out grinding

[Patrick L.]

If you know where the adjusting rod, then, its just a matter of adjusting it to get 1-1.5" of free-play in the pedal. Then if you're not used to driving one of these old monsters, the key is to slow down. Take your time, push in the clutch and wait a couple seconds before trying to put it in gear. Like said, it'll also help to put in 2nd or 3rd then into 1st. Its the same when shifting, just take your time between upshifts. Downshifts will require double-clutching until you figure out how high the engine speed needs to be.

[nellis003]

Thanks to everyone for the input. Got the pedal adjusted right and now she shifts great. Much, much appreciated.

[sandollar]

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Hi from a beginner. Patrick- you say it is a matter of adjusting the clevis til you get 1 to 1.5 in. of free play. I have lifted the clutch arm and am not sure if am getting the right play. I saw somewhere that they used a bottle jack to lift the clutch arm til it got too tight. Would this be correct or should I just lift by hand til I can't raise it anymore then attach the clevis?
The 'bible' is not clear on this.Guess I need a step by step instruction sheet.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by sandollar

Hi from a beginner. Patrick- you say it is a matter of adjusting the clevis til you get 1 to 1.5 in. of free play. I have lifted the clutch arm and am not sure if am getting the right play. I saw somewhere that they used a bottle jack to lift the clutch arm til it got too tight. Would this be correct or should I just lift by hand til I can't raise it anymore then attach the clevis?
The 'bible' is not clear on this.Guess I need a step by step instruction sheet.

I've never needed to use a jack. The free-play is measured at the pedal, make sure the pedal returns to the top fully on its own then just push down with a couple fingers until resistance is met [ the release bearing touching the pressure plate fingers] and that measurement should be 1.0"-1.5". Making the actual adjustment may be a little counter-intuitive and may cause you to make up a few never before known words, but, it doesn't have to be done very often.

[sandollar]

o.k. Thank you. I think I can get it now.

[700rpm]

Sandollar, I use a 10" monkey wrench for leverage, and move the clutch arm with that. A pipe wrench will work too, but the monkey wrench won't scar the arm.