Sanity Check - Clutch adjustment
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
-
Topic author - Posts: 628
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:27 pm
- First Name: BOB
- Last Name: CASCISA
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 TOURING
- Location: POULSBO, WA
Sanity Check - Clutch adjustment
My clutch is slipping.
I have verified the linkage is properly adjusted.
I will need to adjust the three fingers on the clutch drive plate.
The question I have is, do I turn the screw clockwise as viewed looking forward from the back of the car, or counterclockwise?
I only want to do this once.
Thanks for your help.
I have verified the linkage is properly adjusted.
I will need to adjust the three fingers on the clutch drive plate.
The question I have is, do I turn the screw clockwise as viewed looking forward from the back of the car, or counterclockwise?
I only want to do this once.
Thanks for your help.
Respectfully Submitted,
Be_Zero_Be
I drive a Model T ... Microseconds don't matter
For every Absolute Model T Fact there are at least three exceptions.
Be_Zero_Be
I drive a Model T ... Microseconds don't matter

For every Absolute Model T Fact there are at least three exceptions.
-
Topic author - Posts: 628
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:27 pm
- First Name: BOB
- Last Name: CASCISA
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 TOURING
- Location: POULSBO, WA
Re: Sanity Check - Clutch adjustment
Some additional information :
My transmission was recently rebuilt due to a cracked drum and the fingers were set to 13/16"
I have a Watts clutch.
My transmission was recently rebuilt due to a cracked drum and the fingers were set to 13/16"
I have a Watts clutch.
Respectfully Submitted,
Be_Zero_Be
I drive a Model T ... Microseconds don't matter
For every Absolute Model T Fact there are at least three exceptions.
Be_Zero_Be
I drive a Model T ... Microseconds don't matter

For every Absolute Model T Fact there are at least three exceptions.
-
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:42 pm
- First Name: Frank
- Last Name: van Ekeren
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 touring, 1916 pick-up, 1924 coupe, 1926 touring, 1927 touring
- Location: Rosedale Vic Australia
Re: Sanity Check - Clutch adjustment
Clockwise, as in screwing them deeper into the fingers, now the question would be, was the spring replaced? as the Ford ones do not have enough pressure to work on the modern clutch pack.
-
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:22 am
- First Name: craig
- Last Name: leach
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Firetruck/1922 Speedster
- Location: Laveen Az
Re: Sanity Check - Clutch adjustment
Hi Bob,
I have discovered some confusion about aftermarket clutches. There is Turbo 400, jack rabbit, Genuine Watts & R.V. Anderson clutches.
The R.V. Anderson & Watts clutches should come with a new stronger spring. I just recently installed a Watts in my speedster and it slipped
soon after. I adjusted the fingers in C.W. one half turn and took it out for testing after 60-70 miles of intraffic driving I noticed a little
slipping again. Adjusted another one half turn C.W. This made the gap much more than 13/16" ( maybe 15/16") after almost 200 miles I
have no slipping and a free nuetral. The Turbo 400 & Jack rabbit I have always set @ 13/16" had no issue. But heard of a Turbo 400 slipping
due to a weak spring & some wear as a result. There is also a push ring mod. needed for the Watts & R.V.Anderson to compensate for the
thicker plates.
Craig.
I have discovered some confusion about aftermarket clutches. There is Turbo 400, jack rabbit, Genuine Watts & R.V. Anderson clutches.
The R.V. Anderson & Watts clutches should come with a new stronger spring. I just recently installed a Watts in my speedster and it slipped
soon after. I adjusted the fingers in C.W. one half turn and took it out for testing after 60-70 miles of intraffic driving I noticed a little
slipping again. Adjusted another one half turn C.W. This made the gap much more than 13/16" ( maybe 15/16") after almost 200 miles I
have no slipping and a free nuetral. The Turbo 400 & Jack rabbit I have always set @ 13/16" had no issue. But heard of a Turbo 400 slipping
due to a weak spring & some wear as a result. There is also a push ring mod. needed for the Watts & R.V.Anderson to compensate for the
thicker plates.
Craig.
-
- Posts: 964
- Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:57 pm
- First Name: Art
- Last Name: Mirtes
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Touring
- Location: Huron, Ohio
- Board Member Since: 2016
Re: Sanity Check - Clutch adjustment
What is wrong with using the original plain disc clutch plates. I feel if properly driven and adjusted they never require further attention. What am I missing.
Art Mirtes
Art Mirtes
-
- Posts: 4729
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
- First Name: john
- Last Name: karvaly
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
- Location: orange, ca
- Board Member Since: 2020
-
- Posts: 5370
- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Gregush
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
- Location: Portland Or
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Sanity Check - Clutch adjustment
They all need adjusting at some point or the car is not being driven enough to get to that point!

I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup

1925 Cut down pickup
1948 Ford F2 pickup
-
Topic author - Posts: 628
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:27 pm
- First Name: BOB
- Last Name: CASCISA
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 TOURING
- Location: POULSBO, WA
Re: Sanity Check - Clutch adjustment
Kerry,
That is what I thought.
Thanks for the confirmation.
Yes the spring is new.
Craig,
Thanks for the additional information.
My Watts is from one or two manufacturers before R.V.
I have used Watts clutches for over 30 years with no issues.
The reason that this came up at is that I had to replace a broken low drum.
I seem to remember I had to make a further adjustment a long time ago after I put the clutch in.
Art,
There is nothing at all wrong with the original clutch disks.
There are many Model T's out there with original clutches.
There is an advantage with the Watts clutch in that
it gives a more distinct neutral.
This can be an advantage in colder climates.
Thanks to all who responded.
The Forum works !!!
That is what I thought.
Thanks for the confirmation.
Yes the spring is new.
Craig,
Thanks for the additional information.
My Watts is from one or two manufacturers before R.V.
I have used Watts clutches for over 30 years with no issues.
The reason that this came up at is that I had to replace a broken low drum.
I seem to remember I had to make a further adjustment a long time ago after I put the clutch in.
Art,
There is nothing at all wrong with the original clutch disks.
There are many Model T's out there with original clutches.
There is an advantage with the Watts clutch in that
it gives a more distinct neutral.
This can be an advantage in colder climates.
Thanks to all who responded.
The Forum works !!!
Respectfully Submitted,
Be_Zero_Be
I drive a Model T ... Microseconds don't matter
For every Absolute Model T Fact there are at least three exceptions.
Be_Zero_Be
I drive a Model T ... Microseconds don't matter

For every Absolute Model T Fact there are at least three exceptions.
-
- Posts: 4082
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
- First Name: Jerry
- Last Name: Van
- Location: S.E. Michigan
Re: Sanity Check - Clutch adjustment
You're missing nothing. After tens of thousnads of miles, I have never had to readjust my original clutch. I also have plenty of neutral. Don't know if it's a "true nuetral", but it's all the neutral I need.
-
- Posts: 1906
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:22 am
- First Name: craig
- Last Name: leach
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Firetruck/1922 Speedster
- Location: Laveen Az
Re: Sanity Check - Clutch adjustment
There is no issue with a stock clutch in good condition if driven properly. The issue is most of the parts we have to deal with were not driven
or maintained properly so they are not in good shape anymore. A grooved hub will cause dragging & slipping. If you file the grooves and don't
get them square you may find more trouble when the plates start coming apart and getting in places they shouldn't be in. The Watts clutch
seems to be a good alternative to a new drum & clutch plates but being of a softer material may need adjusting from time to time.
Craig.
or maintained properly so they are not in good shape anymore. A grooved hub will cause dragging & slipping. If you file the grooves and don't
get them square you may find more trouble when the plates start coming apart and getting in places they shouldn't be in. The Watts clutch
seems to be a good alternative to a new drum & clutch plates but being of a softer material may need adjusting from time to time.
Craig.