1960 4 speed, 232 6 cyl. After 5 knee surgeries and just waiting for the right moment to get a knee replacement, my left leg is really weak. Pushing in the clutch is really a chore and it aggravates the knee. Also it seems the clutch is unusually stiff. Any suggestions to make it easier???

 

I also Have a 1960 F-100 with the 4sp and a 223.. The cluch is stiff with al new parts.. its the way its made as far as I can tell.. All I can say is to rigg a power boosted clutch. Or have a Auto trans for it installed...

 

I have a bit of a problem with my left knee as well. If your 1960 linkage is like my 1956 linkage in the photo below, you might try this modification.



I'm thinking about modifying the "U"-shaped metal connection bar between the frame-mounted pedals and the transmission (arrow in photo). The arrow in the photo shows the original hole where the clutch linkage rod goes through. If I drill a second hole above the original hole, and then move the linkage rod to the new hole, the amount of effort required to depress the clutch will be less. The higher the new hole is, the lower the effort.

HOWEVER, you don't get something for nothing! The clutch throw distance will be reduced as you move the new hole farther up on the "U" connecting bar. I suspect I can move the hole up about 1/2" and adjust the linkage so the throwout bearing is not engaged with the pedal released and still get the clutch to disengage with the pedal depressed. If I drill the new hole toward the front of the "U", I can try it out and still have a second shot at another hole toward the rear of the "U" if I need a different vertical location.

At any rate, it's a simple enough thing to try, and I can always put the linkage rod back in the original hole if it doesn't work. In the worst case, I could make a whole new "U" connecting bar without too much effort.

 

Forgive me if I'm wrong but isnt a 1960 a hydraulic clutch set up? I'm not real familiar with your style set up but if there is a return spring down at the clutch fork maybe install a weaker spring?

Nice pic George but I dont think it will work for his application.

Kevin Bigwin

 

Bigwin56f100 is correct, '57-'60 used a hydraulic clutch.

 

Sorry Samahi, didn't realize the difference in clutches. You're welcome to visit and rest your knee by using my clutch - it I ever get the rest of the truck done.

 

You have only two options that I've come up after disscussing a similar problem w/ Father about the '58 F-350 that I traded for the '58 M-100.
Lighter Return Spring or go w/ a Cruise-O-Matic.

Cheers
Colonel Flashman

 

My 57, 223, 4 spd is very stiff also. Been told there are aftermarket clutch and pressure plates available that will cure the problem. They have more "fingers" on the pressure plate than do the orginal therefore they can apply more pressure. Dont know how much these buggers are , but I am going to have to do something. My wife wont even drive it. What !! you say am I griping about. Yea I want my wife to drive it, she might let me spend more on it. !!! Roy

 

The C***y clutch/Pressure plate are much easier to work it's the design of the fingers. You would probubly have to redrill your flywheel.
Amoung all my other ailments is a bum left leg and I don't like automatics.

 

If the clutch is hydraulic why cant a booster be installed like brakes have?