Stiff C1 Clutch

[Christopher R.]

The clutch on my '62 is real stiff. I'm going to lube friction points in the linkage.

1. Can I get to the throwout bearing from the cover(s) at the bottom of the bell housing?

2. What happens if it disconnect the "gorilla" over center spring? I don't speed shift at 6000 rpms any more.

[Loren L.]

Re: Stiff C1 Clutch

Throwout bearing, even if you forgot to grease the inner crease - you didn't, did you?...should still not make it stiff - look for other causes and binding - if anything, replacement with today's clutches and pressure plates - correctly done - should make operation easier.

[Loren L.]

Re: Stiff C1 Clutch

Throwout bearing, even if you forgot to grease the inner crease - you didn't, did you?...should still not make it stiff - look for other causes and binding - if anything, replacement with today's clutches and pressure plates - correctly done - should make operation easier.

[Mark Malone]

Re: Stiff C1 Clutch

Chris,

I am in the process or replacing all the rod ends with ball end type fittings.
It may be picked up in judging but if that is not a concern then this modification makes a major difference in pedal effort as demonstrated on my buddies car.

This plus a modern clutch (I'm still using a traditional type) should give a real light clutch.

Mark.

[Mark Malone]

Re: Stiff C1 Clutch

Chris,

I am in the process or replacing all the rod ends with ball end type fittings.
It may be picked up in judging but if that is not a concern then this modification makes a major difference in pedal effort as demonstrated on my buddies car.

This plus a modern clutch (I'm still using a traditional type) should give a real light clutch.

Mark.

[Gary Bishop]

Re: Stiff C1 Clutch

Have you checked to see if the linkage is set for the short throw position. It shows you in the ST-12 on page "Clutch 6R-3". This feature was availble since 1959.

[Gary Bishop]

Re: Stiff C1 Clutch

Have you checked to see if the linkage is set for the short throw position. It shows you in the ST-12 on page "Clutch 6R-3". This feature was availble since 1959.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Stiff C1 Clutch

That's my question, Loren. I did the clutch 20 years ago, when I was young, foolish, and in a hurry. I forget if I put grease in there. Now I'm wondering if I can go back and get some in there.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Stiff C1 Clutch

That's my question, Loren. I did the clutch 20 years ago, when I was young, foolish, and in a hurry. I forget if I put grease in there. Now I'm wondering if I can go back and get some in there.

[John H.]

Re: Stiff C1 Clutch

Chris -

I doubt if the throwout bearing is contributing much to a stiff (high effort) clutch, unless you feel a "chatter" when depressing the pedal with the engine off. When I restored my '57, I replaced the original coil-spring clutch with a modern diaphragm type made by LuK, from their "Vintage Replacement" line (from Paragon), which made an enormous difference in pedal effort. After judging, I also ditched the "Godzilla Spring" and fabricated a new offset bracket that bolts to the same two holes in the cross-shaft lever as the "Godzilla Spring" bracket did, and used a much lighter spring (hardware store, for a storm door) from the fabricated bracket down to the frame bracket for the original spring, to serve as a pedal return spring. The original over-center spring arrangement was a crude attempt at combining an "assist" to overcome high initial clutch pedal effort with a pedal return spring, and isn't needed with a modern clutch. Click the link below for a photo.


"Godzilla Spring" Replacement

[John H.]

Re: Stiff C1 Clutch

Chris -

I doubt if the throwout bearing is contributing much to a stiff (high effort) clutch, unless you feel a "chatter" when depressing the pedal with the engine off. When I restored my '57, I replaced the original coil-spring clutch with a modern diaphragm type made by LuK, from their "Vintage Replacement" line (from Paragon), which made an enormous difference in pedal effort. After judging, I also ditched the "Godzilla Spring" and fabricated a new offset bracket that bolts to the same two holes in the cross-shaft lever as the "Godzilla Spring" bracket did, and used a much lighter spring (hardware store, for a storm door) from the fabricated bracket down to the frame bracket for the original spring, to serve as a pedal return spring. The original over-center spring arrangement was a crude attempt at combining an "assist" to overcome high initial clutch pedal effort with a pedal return spring, and isn't needed with a modern clutch. Click the link below for a photo.


"Godzilla Spring" Replacement