Clutch Chatter

[johnmi]

How do I fix clutch chatter starting up in first gear only. I have a cut down flywheel, V8 pressure plate, and a clutch disc three years ago. The problem started then. Where do I start. Thanks John

[Patrick L.]

I find chatter comes from flywheel cover being out of spec [.007"], flywheel being out of spec [about .003"] , or pressure plate fingers out of spec [.002"].

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

I find chatter comes from flywheel cover being out of spec [.007"], flywheel being out of spec [about .003"] , or pressure plate fingers out of spec [.002"].

i'm not sure about your figures but agree on the causes..

[700rpm]

Sounds like an alignment problem. If you didn't install the two shims at the top of your flywheel housing, that can give you trouble.

[kwisor]

hello
did you line up the clutch disc when you put it in venders sell a tool to do that with if not lined up it will chatter I know because I had a dodge van I put a new clutch in and didn't line the disc up and chattered till I took it back out and aligned it
kevin

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

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How do you not line up the clutch disc and still get the tranny input shaft into the pilot bearing, so it's drivable?

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by kwisor

hello
did you line up the clutch disc when you put it in venders sell a tool to do that with if not lined up it will chatter I know because I had a dodge van I put a new clutch in and didn't line the disc up and chattered till I took it back out and aligned it
kevin

Originally Posted by Chuck Sea/Tac

How do you not line up the clutch disc and still get the tranny input shaft into the pilot bearing, so it's drivable?

He is talking about a Dodge, anything goes with a Dodge!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

He is talking about a Dodge, anything goes with a Dodge!

Watch it Dude, I OWN A 2004, BLACK, DODGE KADOTA, WITH ONLY 27,000 MILES ON IT!!! Bitchin' Truck!!---------------
Bill W.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

i'm not sure about your figures but agree on the causes..

I'm not sure which figures I'm off on.
I couldn't get my cover any better than .009" [ from .034"]. I'm pretty sure Fords spec is tighter than that.
I like a flywheel to be better than what I mentioned, but, thats about the worst I would run.
I try to get the plate fingers all within .002" or better.
For a long time this one would shake your dentures loose, all is well now.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I worked part time for a clutch rebuilder, sometimes a disc will cause a chatter until it gets "smoothed" over with a little use. Sometimes there might be a slight thickness discrepancy in a spot on the lining.
Chattering on take off can cause high & low spots on the lining. Minerva chattered BAD in LOW. Second gear take off DIDN'T chatter. For a month, I took off ONLY in second, I "think" that evened out the HIGHS & LOW spots. After that, smooth as glass on LOW gear take offs.
On cars where, after humid storage, the steel "threads" in the disc & the flywheel rusts together & the clutch sticks, like locked up! After breaking it loose, the clutch "might" chatter. I "think" the second gear take off, "might" help smooth out the flywheel & disc surfaces & eliminate chattering.
It's a DAMN site EASIER than puttin' in a new clutch! Clutch chattering is fairly common on Model A's & sometimes, by experimenting, you can learn to take off, "chatter free", like, take off at idle speed, in low, THEN gas her up & GO!!!
I once put a SOLID center disc in my Nailhead powered, '53 Studebaker, DON'T EVER DO THAT------------------MAYBE YES, ON A RACE CAR.
Bill W.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I worked part time for a clutch rebuilder, sometimes a disc will cause a chatter until it gets "smoothed" over with a little use. Sometimes there might be a slight thickness discrepancy in a spot on the lining.
Chattering on take off can cause high & low spots on the lining. Minerva chattered BAD in LOW. Second gear take off DIDN'T chatter. For a month, I took off ONLY in second, I "think" that evened out the HIGHS & LOW spots. After that, smooth as glass on LOW gear take offs.
On cars where, after humid storage, the steel "threads" in the disc & the flywheel rusts together & the clutch sticks, like locked up! After breaking it loose, the clutch "might" chatter. I "think" the second gear take off, "might" help smooth out the flywheel & disc surfaces & eliminate chattering.
It's a DAMN site EASIER than puttin' in a new clutch! Clutch chattering is fairly common on Model A's & sometimes, by experimenting, you can learn to take off, "chatter free", like, take off at idle speed, in low, THEN gas her up & GO!!!
I once put a SOLID center disc in my Nailhead powered, '53 Studebaker, DON'T EVER DO THAT------------------MAYBE YES, ON A RACE CAR.
Bill W.

You had a Buick powered Commander ? Probably wish you still had it. I would.
Been trying to get my hands on a Bill Frick Studillac for decades.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by kwisor

hello
did you line up the clutch disc when you put it in venders sell a tool to do that with if not lined up it will chatter I know because I had a dodge van I put a new clutch in and didn't line the disc up and chattered till I took it back out and aligned it
kevin

That alignment tool is nothing more than a copy of the transmitter input shaft. Before they were available an old input shaft or homemade copy was used. If the transmission is installed, the disk is in alignment.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

You had a Buick powered Commander ? Probably wish you still had it. I would.
Been trying to get my hands on a Bill Frick Studillac for decades.

Yes, Patrick, a Commander post coupe, molded, louvers, '50's pin striping. Painted Goldenrod Yellow! Only weighed 3,240 Lbs. Stock '55-322, out of a Highway Patrol car, Stude 3 speed/overdrive. At Lions' Drag Strip, in '56, FINALLY broke 100 MPH, street legal.
With it's GOOD aerodynamics, it was a VICIOUS Road Machine. Once I blew off a Packard Hawk, Golden Hawks were EASY!
ONLY trophy I ever won was, "BEST APPEARING CAR", at Madera Drags.
Bill W.

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Yes, Patrick, a Commander post coupe, molded, louvers, '50's pin striping. Painted Goldenrod Yellow! Only weighed 3,240 Lbs. Stock '55-322, out of a Highway Patrol car, Stude 3 speed/overdrive. At Lions' Drag Strip, in '56, FINALLY broke 100 MPH, street legal.
With it's GOOD aerodynamics, it was a VICIOUS Road Machine. Once I blew off a Packard Hawk, Golden Hawks were EASY!
ONLY trophy I ever won was, "BEST APPEARING CAR", at Madera Drags.
Bill W.

I was born in a Studebaker parts room and brought up in Stude and Ford stores.
My fathers favorite car was his 53 black on black Commander. He kept it for a long time. Sure wish we still had it. I still think they are one of the prettiest cars ever.
These threads sure do get side-tracked don't they.

[Great Lakes Greg]

If you want to check the run-out on the flywheel, I'll help you tear it down this winter.
I'll even help put it back together if you supply the barley pops.

[JBill]

I agree with Bill. Mine chattered a little when first installed but became normal in a very short time.

[Fred K-OR]

Mine also has a chatter. I start in 1st with the spark lever up and it seems to take off with less chatter.

Have a question for someone that knows more about this than I do. But I have just the standard motor mounts in back and front. Could the adjustment of the front motor mount have anything to do with the way it chatters? Reason I ask is that when it chatters, it seems like the whole rig shakes and I was thinking maybe the front was to tight.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

Mine also has a chatter. I start in 1st with the spark lever up and it seems to take off with less chatter.

Have a question for someone that knows more about this than I do. But I have just the standard motor mounts in back and front. Could the adjustment of the front motor mount have anything to do with the way it chatters? Reason I ask is that when it chatters, it seems like the whole rig shakes and I was thinking maybe the front was to tight.

I don't think that would cause a chatter, Fred.

[Mitch//pa]

me either, maybe a vibration but not a chatter

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

Mine also has a chatter. I start in 1st with the spark lever up and it seems to take off with less chatter.

Have a question for someone that knows more about this than I do. But I have just the standard motor mounts in back and front. Could the adjustment of the front motor mount have anything to do with the way it chatters? Reason I ask is that when it chatters, it seems like the whole rig shakes and I was thinking maybe the front was to tight.

Fred,
Try taking off in second for a month. Just let it take off at idle speed & then gas it. "Might" help it smooth out.
Bill W.