The Ford Barn

PC/SR · 05-23-2014, 01:11 PM

So I am out yesterday toolin' around in the Speedster just for fun in great Calif weather (Just kinda rubbin' it in for the poor guys back East still getting snow.) All is well. Life is good.
Pull up to a stop light and slip it into neutrel. Light turns green, depress the clutch, normal pressure, and move it to first and get the big grind. Try all other gears, same noise. Have an A engine, 39 trans with Cling adapter, lightened A flywheel, stock disc, the tractor style V8 pressure plate from Bratton's with about 3500 miles on it.
Push it to the curb, look underneath, linkage is fine. Think about trying to drive home with no clutch, only a couple of miles, but not a good plan for city driving. Call the Hagerty tow service, nice people, they dispatch a tow truck, which of course is no longer a tow truck but a flat bed. Get it home and the boss around here makes some soothing comments about how wise it is to carry a cell phone when driving the thing but are otherwise not helpful.
Pull the inspection plate this morning. TO bearing and yoke move like they are supposed to, return spring in place. However, one of the release arms is in the fully depressed position so it does not come in contact the TO bearing. The other two are in the normal (up) position and engage normally.
My theory at this point is that something around the release arm pivot point broke, so that the springs actuated by that arm are not released.
It obviously has to come out. Any thoughts on a replacement PP? Anyone else have a similiar problem? I can't think of any particular abuse I have given it except hillclimbs. Are these plates inherently weak? This was a sudden failure with no warning I could detect, although I suspect whatever failed has been weakened over time and finally just went all at once. Thoughts welcome. Thanks to all for a great forum.

Tom Wesenberg · 05-23-2014, 01:19 PM

With only 3 arms I wonder if some lining could have come loose and wedged one side of the pressure plate up a little causing just one lever to be down?

1931 flamingo · 05-23-2014, 06:04 PM

After you get it dis-assembled what is wrong will become clear. You might try FORT WAYNE CLUTCH for a replacement. Supposed to be good to deal with (from the EV8 forum).
Let us know what you find, please.
Paul in CT

JackA · 05-23-2014, 06:48 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

When you get stuck like that, just put it in second gear then start the engine, if you have to stop, force it to neutral. repeat.

Ive done it several times.

05-23-2014, 01:11 PM	#1
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,278	Pressure Plate issue So I am out yesterday toolin' around in the Speedster just for fun in great Calif weather (Just kinda rubbin' it in for the poor guys back East still getting snow.) All is well. Life is good. Pull up to a stop light and slip it into neutrel. Light turns green, depress the clutch, normal pressure, and move it to first and get the big grind. Try all other gears, same noise. Have an A engine, 39 trans with Cling adapter, lightened A flywheel, stock disc, the tractor style V8 pressure plate from Bratton's with about 3500 miles on it. Push it to the curb, look underneath, linkage is fine. Think about trying to drive home with no clutch, only a couple of miles, but not a good plan for city driving. Call the Hagerty tow service, nice people, they dispatch a tow truck, which of course is no longer a tow truck but a flat bed. Get it home and the boss around here makes some soothing comments about how wise it is to carry a cell phone when driving the thing but are otherwise not helpful. Pull the inspection plate this morning. TO bearing and yoke move like they are supposed to, return spring in place. However, one of the release arms is in the fully depressed position so it does not come in contact the TO bearing. The other two are in the normal (up) position and engage normally. My theory at this point is that something around the release arm pivot point broke, so that the springs actuated by that arm are not released. It obviously has to come out. Any thoughts on a replacement PP? Anyone else have a similiar problem? I can't think of any particular abuse I have given it except hillclimbs. Are these plates inherently weak? This was a sudden failure with no warning I could detect, although I suspect whatever failed has been weakened over time and finally just went all at once. Thoughts welcome. Thanks to all for a great forum.

05-23-2014, 01:19 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Pressure Plate issue With only 3 arms I wonder if some lining could have come loose and wedged one side of the pressure plate up a little causing just one lever to be down? Last edited by Tom Wesenberg; 05-23-2014 at 06:29 PM.

05-23-2014, 06:04 PM	#3
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: Pressure Plate issue After you get it dis-assembled what is wrong will become clear. You might try FORT WAYNE CLUTCH for a replacement. Supposed to be good to deal with (from the EV8 forum). Let us know what you find, please. Paul in CT

05-23-2014, 06:48 PM	#4
JackA Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Orlando, FL / St. Stephen, NB Posts: 195	Re: Pressure Plate issue Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) When you get stuck like that, just put it in second gear then start the engine, if you have to stop, force it to neutral. repeat. Ive done it several times.

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