help with clutch adjustment on my Belair

[don izzo]

guys this is off topic not a Vette but Chevy is Chevy right? I'll apologize now, but I need some help and you guys are the best around! I just installed a new 350ci motor in my 56 Belair with a muncie 4 speed and centerforce clutch. It had a 6 cyl.with a 3 speed. I now have two problems. The clutch grabs really low near the floor, I would like it to grab higher. The clutch adjustment rod goes from the bellcrank to the clutch fork and is adjustable. Do I lengthen or shorten the rod to raise the point where the clutch starts to grab.

second problem, the clutch pedal has stuck to the floor on two occasions. Just normal driving conditions. I believe this to be an over center problem but the return spring is under the dash attached to the pedal and the steering colum support with no spring tension adjustment I can see. Will correcting the first problem help with the second?

Thanks for your help!

Don

[Stephen L.]

Re: help with clutch adjustment on my Belair

Lengthening the rod will cause the engagement point to be further from the floor.
Insure the clutch pedal is fully retracted (away from the floor) and adjust rod so that there is little or no freeplay between the adjuster rod and the clutch fork. Now test for disengagement point. When properly adjusted there should be about 1" of freeplay at the retracted pedal position.

This should solve your return problem.

The above assumes you have the correct clutch fork assy.... and the throwout bearing is correctly install on the fork.

Correct assy:

Incorrect assy:

[don Izzo]

Re: help with clutch adjustment on my Belair

Steve thanks for the response. I thought that was the direction I needed to go but wasn't sure.

when I installed this set up i was sure to install the throw out bearing the correct way. The centerforce clutch and bearing came with a photo showing the correct and incorrect orientation.

I installed the rod on the clutch fork and adjusted it until all the play was removed and it lined up with the hole in the bellcrank . If I lengthen the rod I will put "preload" on the clutch fork and assembly. This ok?

Don

[Stephen L.]

Re: help with clutch adjustment on my Belair

The bottom line is to have about 1" of pedal freeplay. If you have that and the clutch engages at a comfortable point from the floor then you are good to go. If not, then you may have an "issue" with the clutch fork.... relationship of pivot point to length of arm. I can only assume that the fork is designed for the bell housing/clutch assy you have......

[John H.]

Re: help with clutch adjustment on my Belair

Don -

I'd remove the over-center spring on the side of the pedal support - it's not necessary with a diaphragm clutch, and contributes to the pedal-stuck-to-the-floor problem when it goes over center (same as the "Godzilla" spring on C1 Corvettes).

Do the clutch adjustment to achieve at least 1" pedal free play, NOT where the clutch begins to engage off the floor; if pedal free play is inadequate, you'll become an expert at replacing fried throwout bearings.

[Dennis H.]

Re: help with clutch adjustment on my Belair

Sometimes the spring under the dash is not installed properly causing the pedal to go to the floor. Make sure there is a eyelet on the upper end of the spring attaching it under the dash to the pedal bracket. Sometimes when the spring is removed the eyelet is left off and the spring is hooked over the pedal bracket under the dash. This will cause the pedal to go to the floor.