I have to press really hard on my clutch pedal to start the truck up. I've noticed it a little, but my wife can not start it at all. I can start it up everytime. (This can have its good points!, haha) Is there any kind of adjustment for my clutch pedal to sense that I'm pressing it down for it to start? Thanks in advance.

1989 F-150 4x4
300 ci
5-spd
190,000 miles

 

Sounds like you have the firewall flex problem causing the Clutch Safety switch to not engage.

Look under the hood at the Clutch Master Cylinder.
Have your wife depress the Clutch. You'll see a round plate
that the Clutch Master Cylinder is mounted to move forward and away from the firewall.

The fix is to install a reinforcement bracket.
Ford part # e8tz7k509A used to cost around $5.00

From inside the truck you remove the nuts for the Clutch Master Cylinder. Position the bracket over the studs and reinstall the nuts.

Don't be surprised if you see a bunch of hair line cracks in the plate that the Clutch Master Cylinder is bolted to.

The reinforcement plate should solve your problem.

 

Wow, Thanks. I'll have to try that! Your a big help !!! Cheers to ya!

 

My sons 1992 F150 has a loud noise when he depresses his clutch. He just go thru changing his throw out bearings and plate (the mechanic told him this was the problem) put a new clutch in about 5 months ago. Any suggestions. (he also replace the starter and was told to file or shimmy it down)

 

I got that loud clunk before as well, I ended up adding the reiforcemtn plate to the firewall and it went away. As for the started, the mechanic should have properly shimmed it when it was installed.

 

My son installed the starter himself. thanks for the info. Will it hurt his truck to drive it.

 

Honestly I dunno. I have been told by some it will dammage the flywheel and/or starter and by others that unless it is missing the flywheel altogether just leave it alone. Someone else will need to chime in on this one.

 

I finally bought the e8tz7k509A bracket. When I looked under the dash, I coundn't find where this would go. Does this go under the break pedal mount? On that there are four mounting bolts. This L bracket only has two holes. They do not align with these studs.

Or do I have a bracket for a different truck?

1989 F-150 5 speed

 

From inside the cab, pull the insulation back from around the two studs that hold the clutch master cylinder to the firewall. Remove the two nuts from the master cylinder mounting studs. Install the bracket then reinstall the to nuts.

The bracket will only fit on one way.

This picture shows the bracket. The flat side of the bracket faces the firewall.

 

Awesome!!! That picture is exactly what I have. I'll re-look at this.

As I look up at the top of the clutch pedal, I could see an aluminum bracket. It looked to be cracked but still didn't look like it would be the problem.
From under the hood I see the Break master cylinder move when someone pushes on the clutch. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

Thanks for the Big help!

 

I found where that goes! It is above the gas pedal. Low and behold the truck already has one of these! What else could be causing my problem?
I have to press really hard on my clutch pedal to start the truck up and shift some gears, like 1st and reverse.

 

Well, mine did the same thing and it was the bracket that holds the clutch and brake pedal up. I replaced it along with the green plastic bushings for the cylinder that the pedals are attached to and it fixed it. That bracket is a pile of junk - it is cast cheapo pot metal. The bracket is pretty decent sized and doesn't weigh anything....

 

Awesome! Where do I get my hands on this?

Or should I try the Clutch master Cylinder?

 

You need to verify why when you press down on the clutch pedal the clutch interlock switch is not being made when your wife drives the truck.

The clutch safety switch is snapped on to the shaft of the clutch master cylinder. When you press down on the pedal, some contacts inside the switch close allowing the starter motor to engage.

Here's a thread with the picture of the switch assembly.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ck-switch.html

 

That is part of it, you have to push on the clutch really hard to start it. But you also have to push really hard to get it in and out of gear without grinding gears.