Clutch / Torque Converter: Clutch adjustment rod........Lark and Avanti

[Hawklover]

Does anyone know the size (thickness) of the clutch adjustment rod in the above two cars?

[doofus]

It's a 3/8 rod with fine threads. clean the rod good before trying to adjust the clutch and check it fore cracking at thread base.Luck Doofus

[Hawklover]

It's a 3/8 rod with fine threads. clean the rod good before trying to adjust the clutch and check it fore cracking at thread base.Luck Doofus

Does the pullback spring have to be ten inches as the shop manual mandates? Free play 1/2 to one inch?

[doofus]

Not sure about 10 inches, i have some free travel and clutch feels right. all the linkage has been messed with to replace nylon bushings in under dash shaft. i am comfortable with it! Luck Doofus

[gordr]

These rods are notorious for bending, especially if you are running a heavy-duty clutch. The line of thrust does not pass straight down the axis of the rod, so there is always a bending moment. You can easily make an improved replacement by getting two shift rod clevises (as used on the lower end of the shift rods on all column-shift cars), and a short piece of fine threaded rod. Two clevis pins and two 3/8 NF lock nuts complete the picture. This puts the thrust line straight down the axis of the rod, and the whole assembly is stouter. And costs you about $zero, if you have a parts bin.

[Hawklover]

These rods are notorious for bending, especially if you are running a heavy-duty clutch. The line of thrust does not pass straight down the axis of the rod, so there is always a bending moment. You can easily make an improved replacement by getting two shift rod clevises (as used on the lower end of the shift rods on all column-shift cars), and a short piece of fine threaded rod. Two clevis pins and two 3/8 NF lock nuts complete the picture. This puts the thrust line straight down the axis of the rod, and the whole assembly is stouter. And costs you about $zero, if you have a parts bin.

I understand that Studebaker corrected this problem with the introduction of a special heat treated rod? I have a standard clutch.

[64studeavanti]

Correct on replacement rod. Service Letter H-1963-3 dated April 30th, 1963.

[firestoper 25]

Thanks for that data, something else to check out on old 63R1089.