Clutch / Torque Converter: Low clutch pedal

[Flthdchamp]

Hello everyone ,
The clutch pedal on my 50 champion is low despite my having adjusted the Clevis all the way to the top , shortening the rod. Until today, despite the low pedal, the car was shifting and driving fine. Now, I am having difficulty getting it into gear and hear a grinding sound because it isn’t properly disengaging . If I lengthen the rod, my pedal will get lower. Any ideas on how to fix this? Is it linkage related?
thx,
Jim

[yeroldad]

How long since it's had a clutch job? Sounds to me, assuming you adjusteded it correctly and have checked the linkage rods to be sure they don't have hogged out sloppy holes, I'd guess you need to do a clutch job. The pressure plate will get weak after years/miles.

[Flthdchamp]

I’ve put about 3000 miles on the car in the past 4 1/2 years. It’s always shifted fine.
I recently drove it 10 miles to a shop to have the muffler done. When I picked it up, it had this shifting issue. They claim that they didn’t touch anything with the clutch and I don’t see anything changed. It used to shift perfectly but the pedal was a little low. I agree with you that it probably needs clutch work but it’s difficulty going into gear made me think it could be a possible linkage adjustment .
The shift rods had their bushings replaced recently. Are there any other bushings in the clutch linkage that could introduce a large amount of play? I always thought a worn out clutch engaged with a high pedal.
When the clutch is new, will it require the clutch linkage to be adjusted all the way down to lengthen the rod?
thx,
jim

[r1lark]

Check the sleeve that attaches the clutch linkage to the clutch cross shaft in the bellhousing. These have been known to crack/break.

Another possibility: the clutch cross shaft inside the bellhousing has two 'ears' attached to the shaft that activate the throwout bearing. These ears have been known to come loose and rotate on the shaft, causing the problem you are having.

[Flthdchamp]

Thx Paul I’ll ck those things!

[Topper2011]

Is is possible the pins broke on the throw out shaft lever?

[yeroldad]

The pins are well worth a look. My '51 broke one and I had NO clutch. Might look good at first glance, but pulling the cross shaft pin out will tell the story. I am referring to the cross shaft, and yes, the clutch fork has 2. They don't brake very often, and it's a lot of work to get to them.

[altair]

Check your motor mounts maybe your motor is sliding forward. It wouldn't take much.

[Jeffry Cassel]

Pretty much what they all have said. This is common and due to wear in the linkage. You will need to take it apart and replace or rebuild all the worn parts. Not only do the pins wear, but the holes they go in become oblong. I've never done it but it seems to me that the hole could be bored out and then re-sleeved. The Studebaker linkage isn't all that good and tolerates very little wear before getting to the point you describe. Of particular note is the coupling sleeve that connects clutch linkage to clutch shaft in bell housing. As Altair says, if it seems to have happened all at once, you could have motor mount problems. Check them first--it is an easier fix!

[mbstude]

The Studebaker linkage isn't all that good and tolerates very little wear before getting to the point you describe.

Fair enough. It was only in service for 75 years before it became a problem.

[mbstude]

Duplicate post.

[Son O Lark]

I suspect your motor mounts are the culprit. If it was an immediate problem. The exhaust guys may have stressed it some and popped the old mounts.