Technical Clutch chatter with new clutch.

I recently replaced my 50 Merc motor in my 41 Ford with another Merc motor and it runs and drives great and no problems with the motor at all. When I replaced it I figured I would get the flywheel resurfaced and put a new clutch in. The clutch and 10-in pressure plate are new not rebuilt and are from Cn G Ford parts. It's got clutch chatter pretty bad. I've been driving it for a week now daily hoping something would get better but it's not. I know these cars didn't have anti-chatter rods but I'm thinking of adding some just to see if it will fix the problem. Previously with the old motor and worn out clutch it had clutch chatter also. Any thoughts?

 

I'm no flathead expert so I may be totally off, but I would check the inner diameter of the pilot bushing versus the tip of the transmission. That's the only problem I have seen cause chatter when everything else us right.

 

I installed a new pilot bearing with this new****embly and fitted the bearing to the shaft before I pushed it into the flywheel and it was very tight on the shaft

 

Motor mounts are the biggest cause that I have ever seen, a bad mount will cause chatter big time

 

Are you sure 41’s didn’t have chatter rods?

 

I replaced all four motor and trans amounts a while back so those are all good. As for the anti-chatter rods some say 41 was the last year and some say 40. I can't see where they would attach anywhere or have seen a drawing of it or picture

 

A countersunk dimple in the top flange of the frame, directly in line with the bosses on the bellhousing.

 

I had it up on the lift the other day and did look for some mounting holes but didn't see any. I'll have a look again today. The bell housing isn't the stock one but I can Fab some mounts for that end

 

Has the trans/bellhousing combo run together before? I have seen certain Ford combos where the pilot shaft didn't reach the bushing but it wasn't on a flathead.

 

Mark thanks for that picture that helps a lot. I was thinking that the rods went from the bellhousing back to the x member. One trick pony this combo has been used since the beginning of hot rodding really and I've done this same combo in 29 Ford where I had to make a anti-chatter rod from the trans bellhousing to the rear mount.

 

Bad motor mounts and transmission mount will cause chatter.

 

Thanks I've seen that thread and looked over it again. Other options now, may just see if I can Fab something off the front mounts to the crossmember

 

does it chatter at every clutch engagement? or only in reverse? Long rear dropped shackles can make a slight chatter even worse when backing up, since in reverse it pushes the torque tube forward, pushing the entire trans and engine forward causing some wonky behavior with the clutch linkage, making it chatter more since the rear is able to move forward more with the long shackles flexing way more that the shorter stock ones.

 

It's got stock shackles in the rear with a few leaves removed. It Chatter's going forward and in Reverse every time

 

There are so many factors with this it’s difficult to chase down. Clutch itself, shaft alignment, mounts, suspension/shocks and so on. Just a little more RPMs at the friction point will get through it.

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/anti-chatter-adjuster.621864/

 

Back 50 years ago if we installed a new setup like this and got clutch chatter, we just pulled up to a big tree or power pole and put the bumper against it, then let the clutch out enough to begin to grab, and revved up the engine. Then back away and drive it.
If the chatter wasn't gone, we tried it a 2nd time. Usually it was gone the first time, and slightly "burning in the clutch" did no harm except to eliminate the chatter.

 

I kind of tried that the other day as my driveway is super steep I let it slip for a minute and went back and forth revving it up figure something might happen but I don't think it's going to fix it. I'll have to Fab up some rods or something in the next couple days

 

I can find no mention of what you used to wash off the new P.P.
???

 

I use brake clean in a clean rag to clean off the pressure plate and flywheel

 

After you installed the new clutch pressure plate did you check to see that all three fingers were the same height? After being bit once, it's something I always check.

 

I actually did check the height as I installed a previous one and one of the fingers was flopping around. So now I check them every time I do one

 

So today I stayed after work and put the car on the lift and fabricated some anti-chatter rods from 7/16 bar. These things are pretty heavy duty and though they are not adjustable I made it so it's a very tight fit once everything was tightened up. The clutch chatter is exactly the same... I guess it's time for a good name brand clutch like Fort Wayne. This clutch and pressure plate is new and from CnG Ford parts but who knows where they get them from. I've had this problem a few times in the last couple years with new clutches from the parts stores and ended up buying one from Center force that cured it. Just recently I put a 5-speed in a 64 vet for a customer from American Powertrain and their recommended clutch and pressure plate and it chattered like crazy, put the stock pressure plate that I took out back in and it was perfect. Anyone that knows taking a clutch out of a 64- Corvette is they know it's a pain

 

Yeah, my experience with aftermarket "new" clutches is not very good. I did put a new ZOOM clutch in my latest build though that is working good. Kind of a***** shoot I guess.

 

Guess you took the bolts down evenly on the pressure plate.

 

Basically a Criss-Cross pattern. Same as I've done for years

 

Might look at Ram clutches down in SC as an alternative. Just installed one in my 31 with the Olds. Working well and I had a big issue with chatter prior.