The Ford Barn

Richard in NC · 01-14-2012, 02:42 PM

A few days ago Tom W made a remark about how much pressure it takes to depress his clutch pedal.
I performed the same not too scientific test he did with a set of bathroom scales and a pine board and found my 31 A model requires 30 pounds to mash the pedal all the way down. I think this car clutches very well and is no trouble in traffic.I have always thought it was just fine and am happy with it. By contrast, my 1994 GMC pickup requires 40 pounds to depress the clutch. It feels too stiff to me and I worry about the crankshaft thrust bearing. I go to neutral at a traffic light. I replaced the clutch assy with a new AC Delco and also the master and slave. Nothing helped. The whole thing just makes me proud of my A model.

columbiA · 01-15-2012, 12:44 AM

On my 30 & 31 A,s the only change I made to the clutch was to use a longer clutch release arm & it only takes 22 lbs to push pedal down.On one car I used a 28 multi disc arm & the other I lengthened the stock arm.You have to grind or file a little of the pedal to keep pedal from binding on linkage or pedal wont go to floor.

Richard in NC · 01-15-2012, 07:07 AM

Hi columbia, My 31 has all stock linkage and is no trouble at 30 pounds. It is simple math and if you change the leverage factor you may not have enough travel to release the clutch, especially if the disc is new. My GMC pickup is hydraulic but there is still no difference in the math involved to achieve the pressure plate movement. I need a slightly larger slave cylinder or a smaller master cylinder to get more leverage. What would be better would be a lighter pressure plate.

Steve Wastler · 01-15-2012, 07:20 AM

Somewhat off topic, but I still have the original clutch in an 87 f150 with 175,000 miles on it, still shifts as new. Gotta love a FORD....

columbiA · 01-16-2012, 10:51 PM

If you wanted a real easy clutch you could go with a V-8 PP AND the longer release lever!The longer release lever works great for me at my age.As long as the free play is set up to have minimal clearance for the TO brg,there is no problem.

roccaas · 01-17-2012, 07:24 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Only in the South do we "mash" the clutch; or an elevator button.

Something must be wrong with my clutch as it takes very little pressure to mash it. Smoother and lighter than a new car!

01-14-2012, 02:42 PM	#1
Richard in NC Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 89	Force to push clutch pedal A few days ago Tom W made a remark about how much pressure it takes to depress his clutch pedal. I performed the same not too scientific test he did with a set of bathroom scales and a pine board and found my 31 A model requires 30 pounds to mash the pedal all the way down. I think this car clutches very well and is no trouble in traffic.I have always thought it was just fine and am happy with it. By contrast, my 1994 GMC pickup requires 40 pounds to depress the clutch. It feels too stiff to me and I worry about the crankshaft thrust bearing. I go to neutral at a traffic light. I replaced the clutch assy with a new AC Delco and also the master and slave. Nothing helped. The whole thing just makes me proud of my A model. Last edited by Richard in NC; 01-14-2012 at 02:46 PM. Reason: more information needed.

01-15-2012, 12:44 AM	#2
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Force to push clutch pedal On my 30 & 31 A,s the only change I made to the clutch was to use a longer clutch release arm & it only takes 22 lbs to push pedal down.On one car I used a 28 multi disc arm & the other I lengthened the stock arm.You have to grind or file a little of the pedal to keep pedal from binding on linkage or pedal wont go to floor.

01-15-2012, 07:07 AM	#3
Richard in NC Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 89	Re: Force to push clutch pedal Hi columbia, My 31 has all stock linkage and is no trouble at 30 pounds. It is simple math and if you change the leverage factor you may not have enough travel to release the clutch, especially if the disc is new. My GMC pickup is hydraulic but there is still no difference in the math involved to achieve the pressure plate movement. I need a slightly larger slave cylinder or a smaller master cylinder to get more leverage. What would be better would be a lighter pressure plate.

01-15-2012, 07:20 AM	#4
Steve Wastler Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,987	Re: Force to push clutch pedal Somewhat off topic, but I still have the original clutch in an 87 f150 with 175,000 miles on it, still shifts as new. Gotta love a FORD....

01-16-2012, 10:51 PM	#5
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Force to push clutch pedal If you wanted a real easy clutch you could go with a V-8 PP AND the longer release lever!The longer release lever works great for me at my age.As long as the free play is set up to have minimal clearance for the TO brg,there is no problem.

01-17-2012, 07:24 AM	#6
roccaas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 1,300	Re: Force to push clutch pedal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Only in the South do we "mash" the clutch; or an elevator button. Something must be wrong with my clutch as it takes very little pressure to mash it. Smoother and lighter than a new car! __________________ 20 years ago we had Johnny Cash, Steve Jobs, and Bob Hope. Now we have no Cash, no Jobs, and no Hope...please don't let Kevin Bacon die!