clutch problem 51 ford
 

I drove the 51 yesterday the clutch worked great,trans shifted great. this morning it grinds putting it in gear and seems like the cluch is not releasing properly.I put the car on the lift and examined the linkage,looks ok.I took up on the cluch adjustment and the clutch is releasing and it goes into gear without grinding.The clutch pedel no requires much more effort to opperate.My guess is something happened to the pressure plate or thro out bearing.I am wondering what could cause this problem to happen all of a sudden.I am going to order a new clutch and thro out brg assy from Fort Wayne Clutch on Mon.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Just talked to FWC.I discribed my problem and the said that it is most likly a linkage problem.My clutch adj. is just about all the way in allthe piviots that I can see are OK.The thro out brg was quiet and seems to be sliding freely on the trans snout.Could it be a bent T.O. arm ore a worn fulcrum?I guess I will have to pull the trans. and find out.Damb!!!!!Phil

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Although I don't know what the problem might be, I do know there are 3 different lengths of the clutch pedal rods shown in the parts book. it has to do with the equlizer bar that the rear of the rod hooks to ( three different equlizer bars also ) I will try to take a picture of my 51 & post it soon.

8A7521B 49 and early 50 11-1/4" long

OA 7521 late 50 12.80" long

1A 7521 11" long

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Well I think the book is wrong...my 51 coupe was built in late Oct. 1950
and my 51 Vic was built in July 1951

the rod on both cars is about 12-7/8" (roughly)
here are the pics see if yours looks like this. please excuse the poor pic

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

The clutch worked great and suddenly went out of adjustment and needed greatly inceased effort to work the peddle.The linkage from the peddle to the TO arm seems to be OK.Appears the somthing happened to the pres plt.I am planning to take it appart tom.DRATS!!!!!!!Phil

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Did the end of the clutch shaft brake off if it was welded,

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Explain please,I don,t understand. Phil

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

In post #4 Pic upper left corner were it fits into the L shaped leakage.
The end of pedal shaft end,

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

i have a 1950 ford custom have pulled the trans three different times for what ever reason chatter, poor plate , if it worked good for how long and suddenly has a problem you know what you have to do, its not to much fun even worse if you have carpet but if all your linkage is ok, very poss. you have a pressure plate problem, has the car been stored a while??

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

I put a roll pin in to hold the arm on the throw out shaft... The pin gradually disintegrated, I made several adjustments before figuring it out... Must use a solid pin in that place.
Karl

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

See what you are talking about,no the linkage appears to be OK.Tom morning I am goig to send my wife alloft on the lift and have her work the ckutch and watch the action of the linkage before I take out the trans.Thank god it isn't the 41.Removing the trans on the 41 was a "B---ch. Phil

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

The 51 has a different set up than the 48 on back.If I understand your suggestion correctly. Phil

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

OK.Took the trans out this morning,found the problem.The clutch fork had jumped out of its pivot and was bottoming out when applied.I the retention spring on the TO brg was damaged allowing the fork to shift.I ordered a nos TO brg hub and fork from Shoebox Ford in Ok.and a rebuilt clutch kit from Fort Wayne Clutch.What a job removing the trans.Being a convert with Overdrive and with its x member made the removal very difficult,I had to remove both the OD governor and the sol.I plan to grind some clearence in the X member for the tail shaft to make the installation easier.Phil

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Have a 50 model. How do I rod which I am supposed to have. I have all the adjustment out of the rod and still have to much pedal play.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Have you checked the trans fluid ? If low or empty it’ll grind .

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

I will check that for sure. Went out and looked at the the rod. The replacement shows the rod to be a straight rod. Mine has a couple of bends in it. Going to get a good measurement on it tomorrow. If the rod is too long that could be some of my problem.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Good call; sounds like some "home-brewed" engineering may have taken place.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

This is from Van Pelts.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

How do I find out of mine is a early 50 or a late 50.lloks like the early 50 used a 11 1/4" rod and the late 50 says 12.80".
Maybe somehow the wrong rod was put in the car and they just decided to drive it like that. The one Shoe Box Central shows is the 11 1/4" from all indications.
It would sure be nice if that's what the problem is.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

I can't get a good measurement on the rod.
The linkage do have play in it. I did use use adjusternut and adjusted it for 1 1/2" Freeplay. As long as I can adjust it for Freeplay does the wear in the linkage make any difference?
Still would like to know which rod is supposed to be in the car.
With the pedal free play right I still have the shudder.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Had pressure plate, clutch disk, throw out bearing and pilot bearing.
Still have the same chatter as I did before. Maybe even worse. I am going back to the mechanic I had do it tomorrow as ask him he had the flywheel resurfaced. The motor mounts look ok. Someone said check the fluid in the transmission. I need to check it but I can't see this making it shudder on take off.
The linkage is not great but it adjust out to 1 1/2" play. I can feel the pedal pulsate.
I used a pressure plate and clutch disk from Shoe Box Central.
I may have to take it back apart myself which I don't want to. I don't have a lift. I paid somebody else to do it and it's still not fixed.
I hate to drive it the way it is.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Just wondering if you got your problem fixed. I have a 51 with clutch problems also. Mine shudder bad on clutch release. Had a new clutch, pressure plate, clutch disk and pilot bearing put it. Still does the same thing.
My linkage has a lot of wear on it also. I wonder if that could be my problem. I have a lot of up and down play in the throwout bearing arm also. It is almost like it's not connected to anything inside the bell housing except the throw out bearing. It has to be connected to some kind of pivot point for the arm.
Still trying to figure it out. Cars good except for this problem.
I forgot it does shudder on downshift from 3rd to 2nd.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Trainguy. When you said the clutch fork had slipped out of it pivot did you mean the arm that holds the throw out bearing.
I am not sure that's not what wrong with mine. I am trying to figure out what holds the arm in place. My linkage is worn pretty bad.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

I have found mismatched parts can be an issue. The throwout forks are different, the bearing hubs are different and a few of the other parts can be as well. Picture 3 is '52 @ '53

I've also found the TO bearing not properly seated on the hub. I had them come new and assembled and be at an angle on the hub. (Pulsing pedal?)

I had a TO bearing collapse into itself loosing adjustment.

OEM parts helps solve these issues in my case.

These pictures might help.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

I could have some mismatched parts. I question if I have the correct clutch release rod. Mine could be to long. I do have wear in the rest of the linkage.
I have asked and I can't figure out what the release lever rod pivots on in side the bell housing. What holds it in place. Mine has a lot of up and down play like nothing is holding it in place.does the anti rattle spring so that
Is there any place to buy a release equalizer bar and clutch pedal shaft. These are worn pretty good.
Strange thing is it was basically doing the same thing before I had everything changed. Didn't really make that much difference.
The guy that put the clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing in said he checked the motor mounts and said they were good.
Thanks for the photos and advice.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Bullerman….the last post from Trainguy in this thread is from June of 2013….Im not trying to project anyone’s demise but I don’t think Phil is with us any longer…….Mark

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Sorry to hear that. Thanks for letting me know. Just trying to figure out what my problem is.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

It looks like somebody was in there doing some "imaginative engineering". I find that in cases like this, it is better start to start with parts that are known as good. Luckily for you, those shouldn't be to hard to find. There are many good diagrams (complete with the proper part numbers) around. I'm sure many on here would be willing to help with pictures, etc.

I'd start from scratch.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Can you see what the arm pivots on in the bell housing. I can't find any information on this.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Getting ready to install flywheel, clutch, bellhousing and trans on my 51. Hope this view helps.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

I believe the clutch release arm pivots on a flat "fin" of steel bolted to the bellhousing. The fin sits in a groove in the arm and the arm is kept in place on this fin by a small wire clip that's a bitch to install properly. If the wire clip is bent or missing it'll never keep the arm in place.

This MAY be part of your adjustment trouble, but as for the chatter....that's another thing. LOTS of available clutches are crap and will chatter in these cars even if everything is set up properly. Just bad parts. What seems to always work is to shell out the bucks for a flywheel and complete diaphragm clutch assembly from Centerforce.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Yes this does help. This sure wasn't one of Fords better ideas. So basically the bell housing has to be off to install the arm and throwout bearing. I got a new clip in today. The guy at Shoe Box Central said one for a mid sixties Mustang will work. Thanks for the photos.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

No mine doesn't look like that. Doesn't have that little tab off the back of the back of the release equalizer bar. I could see the way yours is made the rod would be longer. I am thinking I have the longer rod on mine. Still don't know that that would make any difference though. I think I have the correct one coming.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Is there a video anywhere you know if showing how to install the spring that holds the throwout bearing arm in place or anything that tells how to install it. They say it is hard to get it right. I ordered one for a mid 60's Mustang I was told would work. I do have some up and down play in the arm but I can see where you would have some.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

If yours is like shoebox's above, here's a pic by dakotafarmboy back in '18 that shows the clip installed. Close to a '60's Mustang style.







https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1529520028

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

And another link....


https://www.vintage-mustang.com/thre...spring.624046/

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

Thanks for the pictures. I can finally understand how it hooks up. Not a great set up but that's the way it is. As much up and down slack as I have in the arm it has to be either off or gone. This one I got for a Mustang looks the same.
Wonder if there is any way to pull the transmission back to were you can get at it to change it or do you have to pull the bell housing off.
If the arm is moving around that wouldn't have anything to do with the chatter? I don't know I am just asking.
I may but the bullet and order a new flywheel and diaphragm style pressure plate. Is there an adjustment of the fingers for those.
If I do this I am going to have to do it myself. I spent 1000 dollars having someone else do it.
Thanks again for the pictures.

Re: clutch problem 51 ford
 

[QUOTE=Bullerman;2359051
I may but the bullet and order a new flywheel and diaphragm style pressure plate. [/QUOTE]

Centerforce II clutch (# DF021221) and flywheel (# 700360)
You won't be sorry