Re: Clutches Again

Posted by carla on April 03, 1998 at 15:05:48

In Reply to: Re: Clutches Again
posted by Joe on April 03, 1998 at 12:15:16

:
: : One more time, does anybody know if there is a way to test a pressure plate to see if it is serviceable?Other than bolting it on and engaging the peddle, can you take these guys to somebody (who?) to put on some test machine (what) to see if it meets spec?

: MRR

: Sorry your question got overlooked on your last posting.I think you surprised everyone with directness of your inquiry.

: Unfortunately, I am not aware of any test that can be done other than one that is done by stopping the car in front of an immovable object and dropping the clutch.If it kills the engine, the clutch is probably o.k.

: I have read most of the literature available on the Model A and nowhere is there any reference to a specific test or criteria for the clutch or it's component parts other than having adequate clutch friction material left and no severe grooves or imperfections on the friction faces on the flywheel and pressure plate.

: Generally, most people when rebuilding an engine/transmission combination simply replace the clutch pressure plate with a rebuilt (and hence guaranteed) unit.These currently retail for about $70 from most of the normal parts sources.I have never heard of anyone having trouble with this somewhat expensive but effective method of insurance.An additional $70 is a small cost compared to the total cost of an engine-transmission rebuild and the resultant personal trouble that can be created by having to go back and take everything apart if it is not right.

: Now, I suppose the clutch rebuilders must have some sort of requirements or guidelines for replacement and testing of the pressure plate springs and pressure plate thickness but I haven't seen any of this information in the public domain.

: I think this information may be part of the "black art" that is passed between father and son of those that practice these "near forgotten skills".I have written before regarding the existence of "technical intimidation" and I suspect the fact that the general Model A public does not know the answer to your question is what keeps the rest of us buying rebuilt clutch pressure plates and putting the rebuilder's kids through college and food on their table.

: But, it was ever thus.As a *severely independent* (and somewhat cheap, ahem, read thrifty!) sort of cuss myself, I would be interested in any information on this subject that this board may produce.

: Actually, the Model A clutch is a surprisingly durable item.The same basic design with only minor modifications was used by Ford for nearly 20 years and that included a nearly 4 fold increase in engine output and resultant clutch loading.Even in today's modern cars with nearly 6 times the available horsepower of the "A", a clutch disk only 9 inches in diameter suffices.

: The clutch that was in my Model A Pickup when I bought it was apparently original even though the engine had been replaced once.I still have this original engine and it's associated clutch having replaced it with another totally rebuilt unit (including clutch and pressure plate).Should I decide to "recycle" and rebuild the original engine I would seriously consider again reusing all the clutch parts since everything worked well when I took it apart.But you don't know that about your clutch, do you?

: In your case I can't be of help other than by what I relate above.I might say in conclusion that if everything looks ok on opening up and inspection, it probably is ok.Broken springs or bolts, contact ears which exist at different heights, unusual wear of the contact ears where they hit the throwout bearing, or cracks on the face or edge of the pressure plate would all make a clutch suspect.You'll also want to make sure that the rivets which hold the clutch disk facing are sunk somwhat below the active surface.If the brass of the rivets is level with the disk face, you'll want to replace the disk.

: Hopefully some clutch rebuilder who is computer cognizant will respond and fill us both in.He would be the clutch rebuilder I would go to first if I truly had a problem.

: Best regards,
: Joe

joe---i have never rebuilt a clutch myself, but i've seen it done---its neither a black art or forgotten skill, but a simple, easy job----you simply need to invest many thousands of dollars in the tooling----a blanchard grinder with which to true the plate itself, and the assembly fixture needed to set the release lever height---the technique would be easily learned-----but i suspect few of us would find the investment worthwhile---!




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