The Ford Barn

Lenny Bruce · 07-04-2025, 04:34 AM

Good morning, I inherited a ‘30 coupe that has a new V8 clutch and lightened flywheel. The clutch grabs very high before the car gets going. Is this to be expected or should it be adjusted accordingly? I don’t want to fix what’s not broken it just feels way too high to me.

nkaminar · 07-04-2025, 06:31 AM

Should have 1 to 1 1/2 inch free movement at the top.

Lenny Bruce · 07-05-2025, 05:33 AM

Oh wow ok then that’s about right. Yikes I was worried about that! Thank you!

nkaminar · 07-05-2025, 06:52 PM

I have a friend who would take his antique Rolls Royce to a shop to have work done. They always adjusted the clutch with zero free movement at the top. After having to replace the clutch 3 times I finally was able to connect with the owner of the shop and inform him that free movement at the top was absolutely necessary. After that, no more clutch problems. I think they were used to new RR's that had hydraulic clutches.

Lenny Bruce · 07-06-2025, 07:15 PM

Yes I really don’t like the way it feels. Their is a little free movement as you mentioned
But I prefer the clutch grabbing long before it does. I’ll leave well enough alone for now.

cadillac512 · 07-06-2025, 09:54 PM

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Lenny- there's no need to have the clutch engage so high as long as it releases properly. You can give it more play at the top and it'll be more like you want, just so it doesn't fail to release when you step on it.

07-04-2025, 04:34 AM	#1
Lenny Bruce Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 362	V8 Clutch Question Good morning, I inherited a ‘30 coupe that has a new V8 clutch and lightened flywheel. The clutch grabs very high before the car gets going. Is this to be expected or should it be adjusted accordingly? I don’t want to fix what’s not broken it just feels way too high to me.

07-04-2025, 06:31 AM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,848	Re: V8 Clutch Question Should have 1 to 1 1/2 inch free movement at the top. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-05-2025, 05:33 AM	#3
Lenny Bruce Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 362	Re: V8 Clutch Question Oh wow ok then that’s about right. Yikes I was worried about that! Thank you!

07-05-2025, 06:52 PM	#4
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,848	Re: V8 Clutch Question I have a friend who would take his antique Rolls Royce to a shop to have work done. They always adjusted the clutch with zero free movement at the top. After having to replace the clutch 3 times I finally was able to connect with the owner of the shop and inform him that free movement at the top was absolutely necessary. After that, no more clutch problems. I think they were used to new RR's that had hydraulic clutches. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-06-2025, 07:15 PM	#5
Lenny Bruce Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 362	Re: V8 Clutch Question Yes I really don’t like the way it feels. Their is a little free movement as you mentioned But I prefer the clutch grabbing long before it does. I’ll leave well enough alone for now.

07-06-2025, 09:54 PM	#6
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,172	Re: V8 Clutch Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Lenny- there's no need to have the clutch engage so high as long as it releases properly. You can give it more play at the top and it'll be more like you want, just so it doesn't fail to release when you step on it. __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302