Finally got the chance yesterday to take my own 1919 Touring car for a ride. I notice that if I didn't feather the throttle the clutch would slip a little. Is there a way to do a simple adjustment without any major work to the transmission. The little car really doesn't have very many miles after a complete rebuild from George King so I would find it hard to believe that the clutch is bad.
When you shift into high, you should push the throttle up as you let out the clutch. It is much easier on the clutch. Then after the clutch is out, pull down the throttle. Also be sure the parking brake lever is all the way forward when you go into high gear. Sometimes they creep back when in low or neutral. If it still slips doing it that way, you will need to do some adjusting. First thing to do is check the link between the low pedal and the clutch pedal to be sure the clutch is completely engaging. See attached drawing. If that doesn't help, you will need to adjust the screws inside the transmission. If you do that, be sure to stuff rags in before you remove the cotter pins. Don't drop anything in the transmission including the ignition key. Remove all rags after you adjust the screws. To adjust the 3 screws you will need an offset screwdriver. Turn each out 1/2 turn. Then replace the cotter keys, the cover and try out the car. Usually 1/2 turn is all you will need to adjust.
Instead of stuffing rags in the transmission, I take a long piece of thin wire and hook it through the eye of the cotter pin. Do this before removing the old pin and before installing the new pin.
If your needle nose pliers or vice grips happens to lose its grip on the pin, the pin will dangle on the end of the wire instead of falling in the transmission.
I've been through that problem with my recent build - I put a wire in the cotter pins in the clutch adjustment screws before removing the pins to prevent them from failing into the trans. Then I screwed *in* each of the three adjustment screws half a turn and put the cotter pins back. Had to redo it once more, but usually half a turn will make a difference.
When making the clutch adjustment I used floss tied through the loop of the cotter pins to not drop them. Also I found a very long screw driver will work to make the adjustment, as will the off set screwdriver.
Thanks everyone, 90% of my tools are stuck in Brooklyn right now working on that 24 T but I'm hoping that project will be done this week and I can give my own car some much needed maintenance.
You turn the 3 screws IN to stop the clutch from slipping.