I took apart the clutch and the pressure plate and everything and reseated the springs and shims. Sanded it with the jitterbug, and the flywheel, cleaned it all up with degreaser and lacquer thinner, sanded the clutch disc a little bit That oil leak from the lower shaft was getting oil on everything so I think it created some hotspots. And I measured across the pressure plate and it is even. See if I can’t get it bolted in at least tonight.
Well, I got a lot done today!! Rebuilt the tranny painted it, resurfaced the flywheel, rebuilt pressure plate. And installed the tranny. so I just need to wrap it up on Sunday!!
……Clutch still chatters! STILL pops out second….and had to use a different throw out bearing! I give up! I’m just gonna drive it till blows up and then put a 302 and a C4!!
Know how you feel! My old hot rod has 140K on it. It shakes, rattles and rolls, is in need of a complete rebuild but I have decided to drive it until the wheels fall off! Would still drive it cross country if needed.....
The chatter is so bad now the dash door latch fell out, and flew open! I ordered a whole new clutch kit. And I am gonna have the new flywheel re-ground just for shits and grins. Since it has a few hot spots. Although I think it’s the pressure plate. The pressure plate had fixed fingers, But had 3 thin shims that fell out when I took it apart, so I just assumed 1 went on each one… but I was wrong, I think they all went on the finger that was low, because I saw through the grease window the bearing was wobbly a bit. When I rowed through the gears on the Jack stands. Then when I went for a ride my teeth almost fell out! So that’s why I just ordered a whole new everything! The wife says thats it for the money pit! So pray for me that this is the cure!! SOOOO.frustrating!!!!
I think I am getting somewhere! Look at the quality difference in the 2 pressure plates. I still have no idea what countries they were made in! All I know is. The new one is 10 times better. Still gonna have the flywheel ground once it is back apart!
So…. Found the problem These 5 pictures are the old pressure plate. Look at the measurements The hot spots are definitely on the lowest point.
Here is the new pressure plate. Even at all 3 points. About 5/32 Now, whether to machine the flywheel or not? Gotta find a decent shop.
Further investigation! The old pressure plate is a piece of Shit! everything about the new one is better. Beefier arms, swedged pins, crisper stamp lines, clutch disc also, bigger springs, thicker! Who knew there were such differences in overseas stamping. What do you?? Have every vendor send pictures first? I doubt they would do that.
I think the flywheel is fine. Cleaned It up again That pressure plate was over a 1/8 off in places. I put machine ruler across and the flywheel is flat. Plus, it looks like a good quality looking at it
A little more done this weekend Clutch is firmer, and smoother all the way through its full stroke. Cant wait to try it.
Drove to work this morning. Clutch is smooth!!! but always Something!!!! Damn water pump pulley lost the back half! So… I improvised!
By gully that darn trick works good! I would even leave it if the stupid transmission didn’t start acting up again!!! Clutch smooth now the transmissions is doing weird things!!! IC a 302 and a C4 in my future!
You’ll get there. Patience. The flatty is worth it. Where did you source your pressure plate and clutch plate? Mine look the same and I need to replace them. 10”?
Man, I've had bad luck with clutch chatter. I've gone through a few parts stores ones and they all chattered. And finally went with one from fort Wayne clutch on a customer's car and it was super smooth. Only problem is it's pretty costly.
It’s hot and miss with all these over seas parts, and different Hotrod internet vendors. Nobody knows where anything comes from anymore.
The anti-chatter rods connect the engine/transmission to the frame and prevent the motor from moving when you press in the clutch pedal. Without them the engine/trans will rock forward and aft when pushing on the pedal. They were really designed to prevent the engine from being shoved forward by the rear axle and torque tube, and to transfer this energy directly to the frame via the crossmember instead of by the flexible motor mounts. Good thread on them here: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238068
Mine has been converted to “Open” Drive. So the yoke slips in and out. And I made a solid tranny mount. It really can’t go anywhere. Plus I boxed the frame where the split rear bones attach.
Got the Doll all… “Dolled” up! Ha! And popped the hood to Show off the Flatty ! Going to a local car show tomorrow since it’s only 2 miles away! Clutch is smooth now, but the tranny is having issues again. I think the syncro assembly might’ve come apart, maybe The spring popped out on one of the Detents it Catches once in a while and rubs on first gear in neutral. I feel resistance now when I hold it in second. I’m going to sell some parts and then work on it this winter so I’ll just drive it to some real close shows since the clutch works fine now.
The Jalopy Journal
