The saga of my clutch problems continues. For those of you who don't remember[ don't know why you would ] I have a 1963 f100 with a 223& 3 spd.I could'nt get the clutch to work properly.Apperently I was missing something [?] or needed to fill some space somewhere. It was suggested that maybe my flywheel had been surfaced and was to thin. I bought a new one from Mac's [which actually came from John Carpenter]. The hole pattern for the pressure plate was different.When all my problems started I was assured by several sourses that there was only one clutch availyable for my truck. Now according to Mac's cataloig [And Carpenter's] this is the only flywheel. WHAT'S GOING ON !!! Please someone steighten me out .
Thanks for the help,
JJ

 

CALJJ,

I pulled up your question in a search for an answer to a similar and probably not unique problem.

I just put a new-used 223 with an attached clutch assembly in my '64 F-100. I rode in the truck from which the engine and clutch was removed and everything worked great.

When I installed the engine in my truck, I put a new release bearing on the original hub from my truck. When I re-attached the clutch pedal, I got almost all free-play. No clutch action until almost the bottom of the pedal swing. Upon inquiry with the guy from whom I bought the engine and clutch assembly, I've learned that his truck had an extended push-rod in the pedal mechanism.

My theory is that the clutch that I installed with the engine is an after-market, non-Ford clutch and has a different release-finger arrangement than the original Ford clutch. The finger contact points are further from the release bearing and hub than on the Ford clutch. Ideally, a different hub is necessary. A different hub was probably sold with the clutch.

What I'm going to try is to extend the push-rod.

Anybody else encounter this problem?

 

I don't mean to insult you in any way but the second time I rebuilt the 223 in my 61 F-100 I installed the clutch disc backwards. It definitely wouldn't work! By the sounds of things this isn't your problem but it never hurts to review the obvious. Good luck.

Kris
Augusta GA

 

Thanks, utvol1984.

No insult taken. Fortunately, a backward clutch disc is not my problem. The clutch assembly that was installed in my truck is as it was attached to the new engine. It was removed intact with the new engine from its former home truck in which it worked fine.

Someone has suggested to me that the clutch could be "frozen" in the open position. That doesn't seem likely to me. Is that possible? I have yet to get under the truck and observe the clutch action with the inspection cover off.

 

JJ you mention that you installed the clutch as part of an engine swap. What did the donor have for a tranny and what year was the donor if it was a 58 or 59 and had a hydraulic clutch you may have the wrong relaese bearing or fork. I may be wrong but I think the bellhousing for the hydraulic clutches was slightly different too. Just a thought, good luck Rich.