I replaced the clutch spring today and set the adjusting screws to get two inches spring height. Is this a final setting for the clutch or would it need any further adjustment later? THANKS kEN

I'm not familiar with this 2" spring height, can you explain some more?

I followed what the book said exactly. 2" spring height. I installed it just like that and I never had to adjust anything else!

What book?

That should be good but the distance between the back plate of the clutch and the front of the rotary actuator should also be 13/16.
I always check both just in case I messed up something.
To Kerry - the Model T Handbook

Is or was the 2" thing worked out some time later that it co-insided with the 13/16" setting? I see no mention of it in Ford period service books.

Two inches is the compressed spring height standard, from the bottom of the spring to the top of the spring, when installed, adjusted by screwing in or out the adjuster screws evenly so you achieve 2" on all 3 sides.... at 2" you should have ( depending on which spring you are using ) between 90 lbs and 115 lbs of force on the clutch plates when the park brake is fully forward.

I understand we do it differently down here, l cant tell you how the other method works, but l'm guessing it ends up the same.

Hope this helps.

Ken, the book describes this method and l have yet to try the other..

David.

G'day Frank,

The Book mentioned is the MTFCA transmission book - the orange one.

David.

PS - how did you go with those coils with Warwick.

Hi David,
That little electronic gadget is magic, I always thought my T ran pretty well with the way it was, after Warwick had finished, we had more revs in low, very smooth up shift and more torque up our test hill, and best of all, an easy magneto crank start.
It has my tick of approval.

The two inch spring height is the way to go provided you are using a new spring. An old spring may only read 75 or 80 lbs. I have'nt found an old one yet that is up to snuff and I always check them out of curiosity. KB

Keith that is true, l do believe that if you get a set of bathroom scales ( the type that will read in pounds for us metric folk ) you can measure the spring height at 100 lbs and adjust the spring when installed back to that height to give you the required plate pressure.
EG- if the spring measures 1 3/4" at 90 -100 lbs, you'd set the trans up at 1 3/4" to achieve the right result.....although having said that, an old spring that requires such a deviation may just run out of pressure adjustment at the fingers !!!!

David.

I use a modern Ford 13/16" lug nut to carefully set clearance on a newly assembled clutch at 13/16". The 2" dimension is a good reference, but the 13/16" dimension is what counts. Using the lug nut - a 13/16" go - no go guage - at three points (one under each adjuster) provides a way to set it and forget it. You won't need to go in and readjust after a test drive.

On my cars, 2" on the spring also gives me a 13/16" fort he other check.

I check the spring pressure and won't use them if they don't measure at least 90 lbs. It's too easy to make them right before the engine is in the car.

Royce - I like the lug nut for a gauge, slick idea.

Walt - I can't claim credit - Another of my dad's ideas. Maybe from my grandfather. I use it though.

I use this one ,also for in the car .

Toon

I'm with Royce. My 13/16" lug nut is welded to a piece of flat iron to make a handle, and to prevent the nut disappearing into the tranny.

Allan from down under.