MTFCA Forum

My clutch was kinda slipping a bit, so I decided to adjust the clutch fingers, the gap between the collar and the plate is supposed to be 13/16 the gap was much larger, I put the gap to said measurement, I adjust my free neutral after as well. Now I'm slipping and also the arm the clutch bolt is, almost hits the cam and the bolt has to almost be flush to clear the cam, it's like the cam is too high or the clutch arm too low.

1. Does making the gap bigger or smaller make it slip less?
2. Do I adjust free neutral before or after clutch fingers?
3. How do I tell when the clutch plates are in need of replacement?

Thank you.

The clutch linkage adjustments are critical. These adjustments are well described & illustrated in the SERVICE MANUAL.
You should have & read the service manual. T-1 available thru all the parts vendors & on line.
I frequently refer to the service manual while working on T's To be accurate getting the specs correct.

#3: Usually the disks themselves are not the problem. The typical issue is notches worn into the brake drum.
This is something that's dealt with during a transmission rebuild. The motor has to be separated from the crankcase @ the least.
Best done with the motor out of the chassis.

Note: Slippage in low or reverse probably isn't the clutch. Slippage in high is probably the clutch/brake linkage adjustment.

This is another of one of those issues which arise that can be found in the Ford Service manual. As the old saying goes “WHEN IN DOUBT READ THE INSTRUCTIONS”.

It also sounds like something may be amiss with the bolt on the brake lever adjustment or excessively worn parts. Posting a picture of the parts mentioned would help diagnose your issue. Pictures say a thousand words.

LittleTimmy52 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 15, 2025 8:30 am

My clutch was kinda slipping a bit, so I decided to adjust the clutch fingers, the gap between the collar and the plate is supposed to be 13/16 the gap was much larger, I put the gap to said measurement

That measure is for new rebuild with new or tested clutch spring.......

For clutch slipping, you follow Chapter XXXV of the Ford Service manual. That is the way for a T that has many many miles on it.

Do a test run for slipping by warm engine, and engage to from low to high, using throttle, and if engine races and is slow to gain speed that is an indicator. Or running at road speed of about 20mph, pull throttle down, and if the T won't pick up fast as usual, slipping clutch may be the issue.

Follow the steps in that Chapter, only turn each clutch finger screws a 1/2 turn. Then test run again. If still not to your liking, turn each screw another 1/2 turn. Once the screws are buried so deep in the fingers, below the cotter pin hole, time for refresh of the transmission. After that be sure to adjust free neutral.

These types of screwdrivers, right angle help do that job inside the transmission inspection cover, as the clutch spring is engaged doing so and a nice lever like tool gives best leverage to easily half turn the screws.