Adjusting Pressure Plate Fingers / Clutch & Flywheel Info

[Tom Wesenberg]

Original Thread
https://www.vintagefordforum.com/for...-plate-fingers

Anytime you install a new pressure plate or are chasing the cause of clutch chatter, you need to check to be sure all 6 pressure plate fingers are at the correct height and even with each other. I made this simple tool to make the job quick and easy. I just use a bolt and two nuts through a piece of aluminum channel, and lock the bolt head 11/16" from the face of the aluminum channel. If the bolt head has markings, I file them smooth. This picture shows a pressure plate from Little Dearborn, that I installed for a club member a few years ago. Being a bit off of 11/16" isn't critical, but having all 6 the same measurement is critical.

I made a hands free similar tool that beeps when the correct height is reached. You can see the picture and description in the "Homemade Tools" section.
https://www.vintagefordforum.com/for...homemade-tools



Homemade Tools Clutch Adjuster.jpg

[Mitch]

Important Clutch Disc Warning!

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[AL in NY]

Question.....Can you make pressure plate finger adjustments with the pressure plate still in the car?

[Mitch]

Yes

[Mitch]

Specs for lightening a flywheel


9607C280-5D50-414B-BABE-412A9D81ADD2.jpeg

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[Mitch]

image_15435.jpg

[rheacox]

Adjusting Pressure Plate Fingers

Original Thread

What would be considered an acceptable tolerance when adjusting pressure plate fingers? I had suspected something was off when reassembling everything after putting the new engine in and recently the clutch started to chatter. Turns out none of the adjusting nuts were staked and all of the fingers were around 3/16”-1/4” … way off the 11/16” that they should be. The kicker is the note that came with the pressure plate said “DO NOT ADJUST” …

Anyway, I made up a tool to gauge the depth, was shooting for 11/16 (.6875). The tool came in at 0.692, not bad. I have a couple fingers adjusted to 0.692+0.004-0.000. Is that close enough or should I aim for a tighter tolerance like 0.002? Is there a spec for this?

[Patrick]

The spec is .002". Its not too hard to get with the unit on a bench but is tricky when in the vehicle so its my opinion that the .002" is more of a guide line in that situation.

I just turn a piece of stock to the dimension I want and then make the adjustment so each arm has the same drag. Then I tap each arm a few times gently and check/adjust them again. This is when the thing is on a bench.

When in the vehicle I just check for the tight arm and use a long .0015" feeler strip and adjust the rest to a fairly tight drag.

I'm kinda of the opinion that a chatter can come from a few issues.
Oil/grease where it shouldn't be but I don't see that very often
Finger adjustment
flywheel issue
bellhousing/clutch cover alignment

[rheacox]

Well then I'll shoot for 0.002", thanks! It is a bit of a pain in the car. Wish I'd thought about it before when it was on the stand. Oh well, should be able to finish it up tonight without too much hassle. I'll hook the pedal back up, work the fingers a few times and recheck before locking everything in place.

I'm 90% sure one or more of the fingers moved since none were staked and that's whats causing the chatter, they definitely weren't all at the same depth upon inspection last night. It was butter smooth when the engine first went in.

[rheacox]

Got it all buttoned up last night and boy is the clutch smooth again. Patrick, I do see what you mean about the 0.002 being more of a guide line in the car... tried to be a consistent as I could but between variations in holding the gauge I'm probably closer to +/-.004 but the clutch is smooth and I'm happy.

Went with the full belt and suspenders routine (nuts staked and loctited), let's see em back off now