Multidisc clutch housing ID?

[johnbuckley]

Did the gearbox with the fins (as shown with bit of wood pointing in photo) only take the multidisc clutch?? ( And similar the non fin box only have the singe plate?) ... . If so is this an easier way of identifying a multidisc vs a single plate car without taking the carpet /floor board up

[F.M.]

The U.S. built Cars & Trucks with the Early Assy. did not have you call the "Fins".. Yes the pedal shaft is smaller in dia.. And real Early the pedals were Smooth..

[Purdy Swoft]

I've been told that the multiple disc cars used a different gear shift knob so that a person could tell without removing the floor boards or seeing the pedal shaft diameter . Sorry , I don't have a picture of the early knob but it isn't a round ball like the more common later knob but is flatter .

[Fullraceflathead]

I believe the cover is wider that tall on the multi disc bell housing.
The Standard Single Clutch Disc Bell housing cover is taller than it is wide.

[quickchange]

Easy check , the tin inspection plate for thrust bearing is different shape , has a bend in it while later is flat piece, many other differences, please send us rain, ??

[johnbuckley]

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Yes the inspection covers are a different shape but to access that involves lifting carpets and floorboard panel etc. I was wondering if a quick peek underneath at the fins would establish multi vs single when viewing a car.
"The U.S. built Cars & Trucks with the Early Assy. did not have ... the "Fins". So when and on what did these fins/ribs appear ?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Multidisc clutch and brake pedals shaft is 3/4" on multiplate, but 7/8" on single plate clutch.

[Tom Endy]

Quite often the early pedal shafts in the multi-clutch bell housings have been replaced with a later pedal shaft. This is done by machining the end of the shaft to fit into the bell housing. The purpose being to use the later pedals that have bushings.

Tom Endy

[juke joint johnny]

John I have a multi-plate bell housing it does not have the fins on it.
I also have the clutch and flywheel and a 1/2 " drive starter if you need them

John Cochran

[john charlton]

On a RHD multidisc bell housing the pedals are round and smooth faced that is no horizontal grooves. So it is easy at a glance to tell what you have .It has no fins . I think the shaft dia is heavier than the LHD bell housing . The single disc RHD bell housing has a 1" dia shaft not 7/8" as LHD . Many RHD restorers have found this out when they ordered a pedal bush set from a USA parts vendor .( Belcher Engineering do these). I think Ford beefed up the shaft because most RHD vehicles would be destined for rough roads and a hardy life in Africa ,India ,Argentina ,Uruguay and Down Under etc etc . I cant measure my multidisc pedal shaft dia as the pedals are on maybe the honourable John Cochran can measure his and let us know . Some Canadian export RHD multidisc cars had oval pedals but I think they were smooth also .

John in very cold bleak winter Suffolk County England

[johnbuckley]

Thank you everyone for the expert input. I was trying to establish if there any other way of ascertaining for sure if a car had multiplate or single plate other than looking at the inspection cover. And I think the answer... " No, because of the various changes and varieties that were introduced by Ford plants during the A production life and modifications to individual cars over the past 80+ years!"

[john charlton]

Acording to the English and USA parts book there were no production changes to both types of clutch housing LHD or RHD . Some people maybe did not like smooth pedals so fitted the later ribbed style by modifying the pedal shaft (as a previous post) or fitting oversize bushes and the mushroom shifter knob can also be changed so looking in the car cannot give a truly one hundred percent identification . However the multi disc had no fins and the single plate did, no doubt about it . So with a suitable pair of gloves you can open the bonnet/hood and on the opposite side to steering column reach around the flywheel housing and you can feel if you have fins or not . You do need gloves because its real greasy down there . If you do not want to go the sticky route jack up the front and take a look or a mirror on a stick !!!

John in sunny tommorow they say Suffolk County England .

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

The Girls shy away, when you have a "MIRROR ON A STICK"---LOL