MTFCA Forum

Ok.... today should have been a great day. After many months, and a lot of effort on the part of myself and good friends I dropped my rebuilt engine back into the frame of my 1917 Touring today. Of course we picked a hot and humid day so the sweat was just rolling off everyone.

The problem is once the engine was in (tho' not bolted down yet, I observed that the pawl on the lever doesn't line up with the arm and bolt on the transmission. How can this be? Is there some adjustment I'm missing. Need some help here.

Same engine in the same frame?
Do the bolt holes for the engine mounts match the holes in the frame?
Does the ball on the wishbone match the cup on the pan?
Does the rod that the pawl is attached to move laterally in the frame?

Michael, I can't answer all your questions. After we dropped the engine in we were all too pooped to do to much more. I figured I'd get into it tomorrow when I'll feel fresher.

It is the same engine - the hogshead was changed to allow installation of a starter. The pan was also changed to a later type but the holes appear to match up pretty well. I haven't installed the wishbone yet. I don't know if I can move the rod with the pawl on it from side to side - haven't tried.

The clutch release arm has been bent inward at some point in time. I've run across this several times. Simply put some heat to the arm and bend it outward until the bolt lines up properly.

Bryan has nailed it. You can see the bend in the arm. If taking that bend out still does not get the bolt riding in the centre of the cam, there is no reason not to go a little further. Heat makes the bending easy, but it is not essential. I have bent them cold. Put a 12" crescent wrench across the arm and use a second wench across the first one and twist. The shaft and arm are a one piece forging and will take this kind of treatment.

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

You can also use a large box end wrench and bend it cold. I did it last week on mine after replacing the engine.

Bend it eh? That was all I could come up with....I'm glad others have found that to be a solution. Thanks for your help.

Today was much better Following the suggestions I received from forum members, I wrapped the clutch lever shaft with a wet rag then heated the bent area of the lever with a micro torch. Using a large adjustable wrench I gave it a carefully calibrated "reef" and straightened it out. I now have what passes for neutral in a T and adjusted the clevis and bolt as per the Fahnstock technique recently finessed and published by Steve Jelf. I got a lot of work done today and am feeling more positive about the way things are going.....Thanks!

".....I gave it a carefully calibrated "reef" and straightened it out." You made my great day and evening even better Tim!
Excellent.