The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Clutch Rattle

Had the 216 in my 46 rebuilt last summer and it runs great. While I was at it, I put in a new pressure plate, disk and throwout bearing. I was careful to torque all bolts to spec. When I engage the clutch, I get a rattling sound. Clutch release is very smooth and the sound goes away about 1/4 the way out. I pulled the bottom pan and the only thing I can find is a bit of play where the tabs of the pressure plate protrude through the housing. Any ideas???
Also, does anyone know what keeps the flapper which selects heater or defrost in place. Mine won't stay in position. I've thought about some springs and a 2x4 but felt this might look out of place.

I would say the release bearing is making the noise.Did you replace it?
some people will only replace the bearing and NOT the collar the bearing is pressed onto.I always LIKE to replace the bearing assembly when I do a clutch job so I don`t have to take it apart again and do it later.
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The other thing it could be is weak or broken damper springs in the center of the clutch disc itself.

How about the pilot bearing in the end of the crank? Is there one even in there?

Did you resurface, or replace the flywheel before you put the new clutch in? My friends problem was he forgot to resurface his.
Dave

Is this one of the round heaters where the control is simply a lever on the shaft on the heater? If so, pressure on the shaft by the rubber bushings that the shaft goes through hold the flap in place. I found some replacements at the hardware store that were almost the same size as the original.

I think I have enough friction in my cable assembly to keep the flap in place.

OK guys thanks for the pointers.
1. I did not resurface the flywheel. But the release is smooth so I doubt that's the problem.
2. There is no pilot bearing, it is strictly a bushing and fits well.
3. The pressure plate, disk and throwout bearing complete with housing are all new.
4. Thanks for the tip on the heater flap. I'll check out the hardware store for some grommets the right size.

When you refer to the ' TABS ON THE PRESSURE PLATE" I assume you mean the retracting springs . If these are loose , then you will get the rattle sound . Is the pressure plate a rebuilt item , if so that may be your problem .

Are you using an 11" clutch with the 9 bolt type pressure plate? Does it only rattle with the clutch in? If the answer is yes, then you probably have the same problem I had when I tried to replace one of these in my '53. The problem with mine was that there was nothing to keep the pressure ring from rattling when the pressure was removed from it (pushing in the clutch). The only solution I know for this is to find a good used one or switch everything over to the 55-62 12-volt style which is what I did. The later plates have spring steel straps riveted to the housing that keeps some residual pressure on the ring, these remanufactured 9-bolters that I was trying to use didn't, thats why they rattled. Otherwise you may have some loose flywheel bolts.

hello dsandberg. i have to suggest that you check to see that the the new throwout bearing is not installed backwards. your clutch might still work, but if the bearing is reversed , the portion of it that is formed to fit the throwout arm will push against the preasure plate rather than the bearing surface, and it would be pretty noisy when you step on the pedal. hope this helps. good luck.

I'd make sure that you didn't install the clutch plate backwards. There is a flywheel side and a pressure plate side. The flat side goes toward the flywheel, and the side that sticks up faces the clutch diaphram. It can make a rattling sound and still work, although it doesn't have a lot of holding power. It will usually sound like springs being rubbed against metal (which is what is actually happening - the springs in the clutch plate are rubbing against the flywheel).

Good point Vaughn,,,,,, the disc COULD be in backwards.

OK, guys, now I've got more to check. I'm pretty sure the disc is in correctly as there was a sticker indicating which side goes towards the flywheel. I think the theory about the 11 inch / 9 bolt unit is probably the issue. I'll check that when I get a chance. Thanks to all for some good ideas as usual.