Technical Olds in a roadster, clutch too hard

29 roadster, olds 324, 39 pedals and 3 speed trans. I went with Tony's flywheel so it required the 11" clutch. Watching through the inspection hole, the fingers just start to move and then the motor twists in the stock motor mounts and the trans crossmember actually twists as the motor moves forward. I don't have the torque tube clam shell on yet, is that meant to hold these pressures? The pressure plate is the 3 finger style and they probably move about 3/16 before everything deflects. Not sure what to do, re-fab all the mounts? Make a trans mounted pedal assembly?

 

How about running a pair of Ford's steady rods from the stock location on the X rails to the bell housing.

 

Is the rubber in the mounts twisting or is the actual steel twisting. If it's the latter you need to beef them up. If it's the rubber wait until the rear end is in to see if that lessens the problem.

 

Yes, the torque tube is meant to hold a lot of pressure...it is the main power transfer from rear wheels to frame. It will make a difference in your clutch/engine deflection. The steady rod suggestion is a good one too, and will definitely do the job.

 

There are limiters that you use when running a mid plate , one of these may help. They limit fore and aft movement . https://www.advancedchassisllc.net/product-p/act-622.htm

 

You could use some ratchet straps front to rear to stabilize it to check movement

 

If your trans mount and trans cross-member is twisting, I'd be a bit worried that you don't have enough structural strength in the frame, cross-members or both. What frame and is it boxed? What cross-member setup? And this was just checking things at a standstill - imagine the torque/force if you were really getting on it from a dead stop!

 

Stock 29 roadster frame. (Car was built in the 50s) They used the olds 88 stock crossmember mounted under the frame. The crossmember is flexing a bit but I'd like to finish bolting up the torque tube like others have said before I do anything else

 

Once you get the driveshaft, torque-tube and rear sorted out, you should really think about boxing the frame and potentially adding some structural strength (like x-members). The Olds is pretty heavy and obviously has a lot more torque than the banger - it will want to twist everything . . . including the body! There is little structural strength in an A roadster body (they flex all over the place). You'll need a strong frame to keep everything where it should be.

I'm sure the urge is to get it on the road but take the time to make sure it is strong enough to handle the load and is safe. Just my 3-cents (that you didn't ask for!).

Best of luck,
B&S