Wedging clutch plate levers before clutch removal
 

I believe I saw a page from a service manual for a 1948 ford (59AB engine) saying to insert wooden wedges into the pressure plate levers to compress the clutch springs before removing the bolts in order to change the clutch disc.
Is this necessary? If so, how do you pry the 3 clutch plate levers down so you can insert wedges?

Re: Wedging clutch plate levers before clutch removal
 

Is this to keep the pressure-plate from warping as you remove it? I've never had a problem just loosening each bolt a turn at a time working all the way around until removed or installed. I do confess to being new to early V8 however.

Re: Wedging clutch plate levers before clutch removal
 

Done this plenty of times. Had to do this mostly on bigger trucks to allow easier removal of the disc and pressure plate. When you wedged the fingers, the pressure plate retracts and makes it easier for the assembly to drop out the bottom of the bell housing. Used the box end of a wrench to pull on the levers (like you would use two wrenches to gain more leverage on a bolt) and inserted a 3/8 bolt between the lever and pressure plate. Made tightening up the pressure plate bolts easier also.

Re: Wedging clutch plate levers before clutch removal
 

Got it. Thanks a lot.