I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

Any run-out on the flywheel? Angles of trans to flywheel straight and in the same plane?Was everything set up in clean room conditions?

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

Did you check the flywheel, block bellhousing mounting surface and transmission mounting surface on the bellhousing to assure they are all parallel to each other?

Same as Franklin posted!

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

The only thing left is the pilot bearing and/or badly worn transmission front shaft.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

As crazy as it may sound, if your engagement is now in the upper part of your pedal travel, readjust it to begin engagement 1" off the floor so it is fully engaged at half pedal travel.

Lonnie

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

I think with the ford bell housing use a 10" LONG pressure plate with 3 groups of 2 bolt pattern from Fort Wayne. If you have a pressure Plate with 6 even bolts its mercury.
Then you will need a Ford flywheel.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

As CLEARLY stated, he already has NEW parts, bolted together and operational! DD

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

Had the same problem with my F1. The more I drive it the less chatter I have. Some times it is pronounced other times smooth as can be. I don't know what to blame it on other than the material used on the new clutch discs? If I ever have to tear it down again I will try a Ft. Wayne pressure plate and disc.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

I had an issue years ago caused by my drive shaft with the universal orientation at the tranny 90* out of since with the differential yoke.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

How is your engine main bearings...if the axial play of the crank is bad you have another thing that moves.
If you do a hard takeoff putting more pressure on the enginemounts and pressureplate is the shutter less then when you go easy on it ?
Did you put a dial indicator on the flywheel in the car so it´s running true...if the mounting flange on the crank is for some reason not straight ?

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

I had a similar problem on my 49 when I replaced the clutch and p plate. The replacement clutch disks are not made correctly, they should have a cushion (a wavy metal disk) between the friction surfaces. You should be able to squeeze this with your fingers. Talk to the guys at Fort Wayne clutch & drive line, they are the best. They will take care of you.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

Chuck's got it right !

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

I would assume that you replaced the pilot bearing after having the fly wheel it out 3 times.
Had a similar issue and discovered that in my "haste" I didn't notice that the throw-out bearing hub was worn out of round. Probably from 60+ years of being driven with a foot resting on the clutch pedal.
Please keep up posted on your progress, Chap.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

I would replace the pressure plate with a modern diaphragm type

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

The pilot bearing was replaced. The flywheel was resurfaced twice by competent machine shops. The chatter starts when I let up on the clutch, engaging the flywheel. If I let up slowly, the chatter is the worst. If I let it up faster and drive right off, It's not as noticeable. I have the adjustment just right. There is enough play. The pressure plate is nos and everything else has been replaced. The clutch fork and throw out bearing are also new (different from Mercury). Everything appears tight and straight. There is some play in the rear end, but no noises from any bearings. This Ford idles smooth and runs great OTHERWISE! I appreciate all information from you folks.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

NOS does not mean it is good. Some NOS parts were rejects that are still around. If it was me, I would quit change parts and check out what I have. You need to assure the flywheel is on the same plain as the rear mounting surface of the block. And you need to have the pressure plate checked out. I would talk to someone like Ft Wayne and see what they can do for you.

Just reread your first post, you have a 3 after pressure plate. Does than mean you have installed 3 different pressure plates? I get really confused as to why folks keep changing parts and then don't understand why they still have the problem. You can change every part on a car numerous times and it is not going to help anything until you determine what the problem is and correct it. Parts changing is not always the best approach to problem resolution. Some of these changes were probably a smart move, such as motor mounts, trans mount, etc. But when that doesn't solve the issue, it is time for true trouble shooting.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

Put a dial indicator on the flywheel and check if it runs true.
It will tell you both axial play and if its off in an angle.
If that checks out fine do as Jseery says and ship out your parts to good known clutch rebuilder.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

This is the kind of thing that kept me from changing my clutch for years, we've heard of this same problem from a lot of people so its not something that the installer is doing wrong its probably that the clutch system it self is the weak point. I changed my disc only last weekend with no problem, I reused the pressure plate and marked its location before removal so I could put it back. One of the earlier posts was to change to a different type pressure plate, I had to do that in the 70's to stop chatter in a GTO. I tried the same things you have, finally went with a much heavier unit for a 426 hemi to fix it.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

I think a 51 mercury bell housing is a half bell. They had a 6 even spaced flywheel bolt pattern .What trans are you using one with 1" spline or larger 1 1/4"
If mercury flywheel throw-out bearing is larger.
If you have a 1953 car it uses a 9 1/2 clutch.
You should only Ford 49 to 53 parts. If you had the flywheel re drilled could be wrong.
Those new PP are not to good fingers like sliced bread. No Factory Adjustment screws at end of finger. Save money and relive the days gone by and don't fix.

Re: I Can't Stop My Clutch Chatter On My '53!
 

A friend with somewhat similar deal was not supporting the trans well on install before tightening up and distorted the disk.