The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1941 Clutch problems

My '41 is as stock as they come and nearly mechanically perfect in all respects. The truck only has 57000 miles on it. I've recently rebuilt the engine because the block was cracked internally. Now, I'm back on the road but my clutch isn't smooth. It never has been. I replaced the clutch and pressure plate many years ago, but they probably don't have 2000 miles on them. I had the flywheel resurfaced when I did the rebuild, and the engine has new motor mounts front and rear. I thought surely that would take all the chatter and vibration out of it but it didn't. You have to rev the engine higher than you should and slip the clutch more than you should have to to get a smooth transaction. Anybody got any ideas on wht might be wrong with it? Thanks for any help you can offer. Jim

Jim, I can think of two things that might cause your problem. One is that your clutch disk has become contaminated by oil which will cause the chattering, or you have a problem with your throw out bearing.

When I got my truck the PO had an odd throw out bearing in there that didn't work well with the clutch fork. I changed it out for a new one and my chattering went away.

Someone else may have other suggestions but I would try replacing the clutch disk and throw out bearing.

Good Luck
George

The old "shade tree" fix is to butt it up against a tree, then , in top gear, slip the clutch enough to get it very hot. If it is contamination as with oil it will clean it and stop the chattering. This was a well known remedy.
meansam

If its an oil problem you can remove the lower cover & prop the clutch pedal down with the trans. in neutral & spray it with brake parts cleaner. If it's always done it you may have an alighment problem between the trans & beel houseing & engine.

I had the weirdest and most difficult problem with my clutch, and don't know if it bears any resemblance to your problem or not but will share it just in case.

Problem - When pedal depressed fully and clutch disc disengaged the clutch would make a clangdeclangclinkityclinkity sound. It was so bad that it would draw attention to the '41 for all the wrong reasons.

After much angst, frustration, engine in/engine out part of my description (here on the 'Bolt) of the problem resulted in a solution. I stated that the noise was similar to what you would hear if you took the pressure plate assembly in your hands and shook it. 'Bolter "Pre '68 Dave" verified that I had "nailed" the problem in this thread about my clutch rattle.

Good luck