Clutch rod adjustment question

[72hemi]

For those 4 speed experts out there; I have just installed a new Mcleod 75109 (diaphram style pressure plate) in my Challenger and I am wondering how much to adjust the clutch rod. Should it be adjusted so that the throwout bearing is a certain distance off the pressure plate, or right up against the pressure plate, or a certain amount of preload on the pressure plate?

[bigblue73]

Set-up is exactly the same as the B&B set-up.  leave a little air gap and you are set.  Fine time with the adjustment rod to adjust your clutch engagement at the pedal. 

Did you remove your spring from the pedal assembly.  If not, they recommend that you do to improve the feel of the clutch.  The easiest way that I have been able to remove the spring is be using a hand full of pennies and sticking them between the spring and relaxing the spring to remove it.  The pennies hold the spring open enough to remove it.  Be careful it a strong bite that will bite with all the crap in the way.

[72hemi]

Thanks for the input. I did a conversion from auto to manual so I did not install the spring as I heard it was not needed with the diaphram clutch.

[72hemi]

Next question, when I release the clutch pedal the throw out bearing does not return off the diaphram, should I install a lighter spring to bring the throw out bearing off the diaphram?

[bigblue73]

Do you happen to have a return spring on the clutch fork?

[72hemi]

Sure do.

[Chryco Psycho]

How much free play do you have at the top of the pedal travel ??
it should be approx 1" any more & it may not over center without the spring on it . Personally I hate the feel of the diaphragm clutches .

[72hemi]

I am not completely sure what you mean by free play. If you mean after the throwout bearing disengages from the diaphram to where the pedal stops at the top of its travel, then the answer is 0, because once the diaphram reaches the top of its travel from removing my foot from the clutch pedal, the pedal (and throwout bearing) do not travel anymore to create a gap between the throwout bearing and diaphram.

[Chryco Psycho]

when the clutch is engaged & the pedal is floating it should have 3/4 of an " - 1 " of upward travel on the pedal

[72hemi]

I think I may have the clutch fork spring in the wrong location. I have it hooked to a notch in the z-bar, should it be attached to the bellhousing somewhere?

Thanks Neil, we are on the same page now.

[bigblue73]

The return spring should be attached to the bell housing - There should be a hole that is perpendicular to two (2) drilled and tapped holes about an 1 1/2 apart from each other.  I think the holes are for z-bar bracket for other applications.  Good luck.  I'll try and post up a scan.

[72hemi]

Found the spot in the bellhousing for the spring. Got everything adjusted and took the car out for a spin. Everything worked great! Except for a slight leak from a lower bolt on the new power steering pump I installed, oh well. At least the 4 speed is installed and runs like a champ! Thanks everyone for the help.