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Projects Clutch question

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by oj, Apr 10, 2020.

  1. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,454

    oj
    Member

    The Pressure plate fingers are touching the TOB when it is the 'relaxed' position, is that ok? There isn't any freeplay in the TOB.
    Its a 354 hemi and '42 Ford toploader with an old Offenhauser adaptor.
     
  2. If it’s touching it will wear the release bearing quicker, that’s why there should be some freeplay


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  3. hemihotrod66
    Joined: May 5, 2019
    Posts: 968

    hemihotrod66
    Member

    If it is a mechanical linkage then there will be freeplay however if it is a new one with the hydraulic throwout bearing attached to the front of the tranny they will touch the fingers on the pressure plate...I have the same issue on mine....
     
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  4. This is a good point, I assumed mechanical linkage


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  5. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,592

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    As the clutch wears, the fingers will move farther out. You need some free play.
     
    Boneyard51 likes this.
  6. triumph 1
    Joined: Feb 9, 2011
    Posts: 591

    triumph 1
    Member

    Also not good for the TOB to be spinning when the clutch is released. It will definitely wear out quickly.


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    Boneyard51 likes this.
  7. What set up are you running ?

    Mechanical or hydraulic set up ?

    you need a bit of free play as I’ve seen TB’s get noisy in short order if they stay touching and spinning on the pressure plate
     
  8. cktasto
    Joined: May 31, 2009
    Posts: 313

    cktasto
    Member

    I think my center force clutch specifies 3/16” clearance


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  9. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,454

    oj
    Member

    Its mechanical, I'm doing a mockup and don't have the disc in there, so the fingers will pull back some. I had made the pilot bushing and needed to see how the input shaft went into it so I left the disc out. Guess I'll pull it back apart and do it again with the disc, I used a Ford 11" disc & pressure plate and drilled the hemi flywheel for the right pattern. I just hope it all stacks up ok.
     
    VANDENPLAS likes this.
  10. you re right, when the disc is installed it will bring the fingers into the clutch and give you the needed room
     
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  11. donsz
    Joined: Nov 23, 2010
    Posts: 242

    donsz
    Member

    This may not relate to you, but I have a heavy duty pressure plate and clutch in my truck. The stock throwout bearing did not have enough clearance. I couldn't tighten the transmission in all the way without great pressure. I found a "short" throughout bearing that solved my problem.
    don
     
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  12. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,454

    oj
    Member

    A machinest buddy was just here and took a look at it and said we could machine a little off the flywheel if I need some clearances, I never thought of that and he's right, that flywheel is thick!
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  13. V8 Bob
    Joined: Feb 6, 2007
    Posts: 2,966

    V8 Bob
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You only need about a 1/10" (.100") clearance for the TOB. This will give the common 1" or so pedal free play, depending on the linkage ratio. The "available" clearance should be around 1/4" to allow the bearing to move back from disk thickness ware.
     
    oj likes this.
  14. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,795

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Make sure your fork arm is pulled back with a good spring. They weren’t called clutch return springs for nothing...
     
  15. 6sally6
    Joined: Feb 16, 2014
    Posts: 2,459

    6sally6
    Member

    Some or the "later-model" FoMoCo set-ups call for the TOB to spin WITH the flywheel!!!
    Don't understand why.
    6sally6
     
  16. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,454

    oj
    Member

    What I'm really concerned about is that I can't move the TOB with the pedal or pipe wrench, I'm hoping its because of the lack of freeplay making the pedal at a disadvantage. I'm waiting on a clutch alignment tool to set the disc in it and try it again.
     
  17. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,216

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    If the t.o. bearing is against the trans and also is touching the clutch release fingers , then your combination is wrong . As to touching the fingers in the released position while driving , unless the bearing is something really special, I can't imagine it not suffering premature failure from spinning constantly no matter if its controlled mechanically or hydraulically ....
     
  18. ekimneirbo
    Joined: Apr 29, 2017
    Posts: 4,216

    ekimneirbo

    Don't try to machine your flywheel with a conventional lathe or mill. If you need it resurfaced or thinned, have it blanchard ground. If you have no place locally that can help, contact Ky Clutch about noon (EST) and ask for Dave.
    Ky Clutch 502 955 9173
     
    oj likes this.
  19. Model A Vette
    Joined: Mar 8, 2002
    Posts: 1,075

    Model A Vette
    Member

    You need to install the disc! The fingers will give you clearance when the disc is installed!
     
    BJR and Desoto291Hemi like this.

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