Flatmotor Clutch won't disengage...suggestions needed

Thanks guys, have the day off tomorrow, the engine is coming out, new clutch disk on its way, and I should be down the road soon

 

If I'm understanding your problem correctly.........

check the linkage. suprisingly you can over-center the levers. it happened to me last summer when I put a new disc/PP in mine. pedal down it was still hooked up.

I put it in gear and had a few fellas rocking it back and forth. i kept backing off the bearing (shortening the linkage) until it was free with the clutch pedal all the way down. off and running!

hope you get it fingered out.

 

STOP , STOP , STOP ALL WORK! WHAT NIT WITT SOLD YOU A 10 1/2" clutch disk for a 10" pressure plate? .. It wont fit. You cant get the clutch to release because you have effectively bolted it solid to the flywheel when you tightened up the pressure plate bolts. It has pinched the edge of the disc to the edge of the pressure plate housing there is not enough clearance. I'm going to carefully read all this post again but so I might make a few additions or corrections but Do not readjust the figures on the pressure plate.

addition:
Ok, I reread all the prior posts and looked at the picture closely. The guys that noticed that the disc was too big are pretty much on the money. Thats your problem. That Mcleod clutch is designed for a late model car, it doesn't like flatheads unless you purchase all the corresponding parts. You might find if you do a lot of slow speed cruising you wont like that flywheel either.

 

I agree did that crap for a living would be the first place to look something is mismatched.....good luck and 10.5 vs 10 dont sound good

 

I had the same problem with my new flatmotor, clutch would not disengage.......it was as simple as adjusting the clutch pedal travel, to much it goes all the way into the clutch plate. try backing off the length the travel of the clutch pedal. sit in the car and have a bud push you and try it. keep backing off adjustment until it works.....good luck......Sonny

 

Thanks Dick, you are right on...and Red's Headers sold it. I really didn't notice it until I was looking at the parts list last night, then slept on it. Then today all sorts of lightbulbs went off from you guys. He usually sells the McCloud PP with the disc, but I didn't think I needed a $200 PPlate. Everyone makes mistakes, and Jim at Red's was willing to drop ship a new 10" disc to me, but it wouldn't be here till next monday because McCloud had to make it. He is great with customer service. Anyway, I called Joblot to have them ship me a new 10" stocker disc. I would have gladly paid for the other PP if I didn't have to take the motor out.

So I pulled the motor just now, and took the clutch off. Sure as shit, the disc was rubbing on the PP. I have one on the way now, and hopefully it shows up by early am. Thanks fellas

 

holy crap batman..now that ain't right

 

That sucks there is always something.....................

QQ

 

Life is going to be good now...isn't it nice when you figure out the problem?

 

Glad you found it . . . . kind of what I figured Like most of life's lessons, they are usually learned the hard way.

Dale

 

Yea, this is my first car I've owned, not worked on, that is older than 1966, so everything I do is a learning lesson. Luckily my brother, AKA the HotRod Hotline is always there for a helping hand. And the HAMB too. Thanks for all your help.

 

A note for flathead clutch fans...not directly relevant to this solid-pack clutch setup here!
The new Hot Rod Deluxe mag has an excellent article on attaching a Chevy to an early Ford trans, useful because ot its clutch info. It gives some modern numbers for diaphragm type clutches that I believe will fit on a '49 Merc type flywheel for flathead use, AND names sources with people actually familiar with the need and able to get special assemblies.

 

No Offense Bruce, but I really didn't get that??? A SBC and a little dinky flathead trans. Man, you'd be rebuilding that monthly. Kablooey

 

Urk....

SBC/'39 3sp, 60,000 mi., 2 continents, never left me stranded!