over center spring

[Fern]

Finally got the car running, but I have a problem with the clutch. If I install the overcenter spring it stays to the floor.
The clutch came in the car and is new. Do I need the spring, what exactly is its purpose?
Any advice would be great.
Thanks

[Cooter]

You don't NEED that spring..only purpose originally, was to "Help" aid the driver with stiff "Three finger" clutches. If your running a Diaphram clutch, it is recommended you remove it.

[ShelbyDogg]

Finally got the car running, but I have a problem with the clutch. If I install the overcenter spring it stays to the floor.
The clutch came in the car and is new. Do I need the spring, what exactly is its purpose?
Any advice would be great.
Thanks

  If you must use that type of clutch use a light hardware store spring to keep the pedal all the way forward.

You'll soon find out when you speed shift with high RPMS that your clutch pedal will stick to the floor till the revs come down.   

Good Luck.

[Fern]

Thanks for the feedback, why would the clutch stick to the floor? would it still be in gear even though its to the floor?

[Chryco Psycho]

once the diaphragm is over center it has nothing to force the clutch back out so the pedal sits on the floor , I have had this happen too many times with diaphragms to ever use one again

[Fern]

Since the clutch came installed in the car, is there a way to know if it is a diaphram without taking it out.

[Chryco Psycho]

the feel it will be stiff 1/2 way down & then feel like it collapses to the floor , or you should be able to see in the bottom of the belhousing , if it has 3 fingers it is the original style , if it has 20 flingers it is a diaphragm

[ShelbyDogg]

Might as well put a rev limiter in the ignition.  When you are showing off, wind it up in 1st, then slam your shifter into 2nd, let up the clutch and floor the gas, It will be just like you missed a gear and floored the gas.  You clutch pedal will stay down with your foot off of it.  Not good for a valve train.  Those clutches are meant for sissies that complain that the clutch is too stiff.  They need to get an automatic trans.

[Fern]

 :banghead:Thanks guys, sounds like its time to change the clutch.
Just when you think your close

[ShelbyDogg]

:banghead:Thanks guys, sounds like its time to change the clutch.
Just when you think your close

You could leave it for now, while you get the rest of the car together. It only happens when you high speed shift. Your wife will be able to drive it.

Do a google search for "clutch sticks to the floor"  and you'll see this is a common problem.  Centerforce tries to fix it with centrifugal weights but it could still happen if the clutch is pushed past the sweet spot, then the centrifugal weights help hold it released.

[swede-cuda]

  try with a hockey puck/or something straped with plastic ties under your pedal.then you can step on it while waiting for your new 3-finger clutch.thats what i did,never a diaghram again..

[slsc98]

Hey fern, just curious; its been awhile since you posted; what direction did you finally take with your clutch?

(Curiious as a buddy just helped me install a McLeod diaphragm clutch.

We'll be adjusting tomorrow and needing to make a decision about the OC spring.

I kinda like the idea a previous posted made about a "spring from the h'ware store sorta "BETWEEN" the strength of the OEM OC and 'nuthin'"

Any merits?

TIA!

[dodj]

I kinda like the idea a previous posted made about a "spring from the h'ware store sorta "BETWEEN" the strength of the OEM OC and 'nuthin'"

Thats all you need IMO. I've had a Centreforce diaphragm clutch in for 8 years with no issues. I normally don't shift higher than 5-5500 rpm. Higher may be an issue?
I have no spring at all. Any spring in the stock position will keep it on the floor. I think SD means a spring attached in such a way that it pulls the pedal back up off the floor.

[Fern]

The car is still not complete, I just kept the clutch since it was new. As long as you dont get into high revs, theres no problem.
I am going to install a rev limiter when it finally is complete. I talked to a lot of people and all agree just to keep it under 5k and there's no problem. Not going to run the overcenter spring since its too strong to run with the diaphram clutch. Maybe a light spring just to keep the pedal up.

[slsc98]

dodj, fern,

Thanks to both of ya; for the quick replies (much appreciated)!