Flathead Clutch ?

[MBL]

Here's one for you flatheadders out there. I think it is pretty simple. When setting up the clutch in the 1940-47 truck clutch/pedal setup; how imperitive is it that there is an external return spring....such as the one referenced as Part#-7523....It seems to me the spring located internally in the clutch mechanisim should suffice. Would the additional spring reduce/defer load on the internal spring therefore adding to its longevity? I have no problem adding the spring but don't know if it is all that important. Any help on this would be great.
Thanks
Tim
MBL
P.S. I have noted that the setup in the 1940-48 passenger seems not to have this part. Is it only on trucks?

[TV]

MLB, the only time you need the external spring is if your peddle dosen't return all the way,sometimes they lag back a half inch or so.If you use the right spring inside and greese the inside of the bearing and the sleeve you shouldn't need the out side spring.--TV http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Elrod]

Wouldn't the internal spring return the throw out bearing back to rest, and the outer spring bring the pedal to rest. Your pedal should have an inch of play before hitting the throw out bearing, but you also don't want that pedal just flopping back and forth on the throw out bearing.

[Bruce Lancaster]

The pedal return spring (which is indeed used on the passenger cars) is important. Without it, the weight of the pedal may keep the linkage pressing on the release bearing and might cause it to stay in contact with the clutch fingers and spin until it wears out. Better to keep the pedal up against the floor and not allow the possibility. With pedal fully up, you should have the specified free play before throwout bearing hits fingers. This free play will gradually go away as clutch wears and will need to be adjusted back in. If parts are new, first adjustment might be needed fairly quickly as the first layer of fuzz polishes off the disk.

[MBL]

Thanks for all the info! Spring it is!
Tim
MBL

[flatordead]

In any case you need the pedal return spring. The inner spring is not enough. It's just to pull back the retainer/throw out bearing. The pedal is to heavy for this little spring. Sooner or later the pedal will rattle against the floor, your clutch play is gone and when you hear your throw out bearing howl the time has come to part engine and trans and put a new one in. I don't like that so I install a pedal return spring. The spring is hooked to a little pin with a grooved head (Ford #7533).

[MBL]

Right on...I know the part you are talking about and it will be taken care of post haste!
Thanks again for all of this feedback!
Tim
MBL

[MBL]

Ah... I see that it is in the passenger cars....My drawing had some of it cut out....I'm a dope.
Tim
MBL