Clutch / Torque Converter: Clutch problems

[kelmbaker]

The brand new clutch on my Power Hawk will not disengage the engine from the transmission all the way, resulting in severe grinding if the engine is running. Everything is new, and the unit worked before and worked well.
I checked for slop in the linkage and it appears that there is excessive movement at the point the clutch shaft comes through the frame rail and connects to the very bottom of clutch pedal itself (below the floor). Between 1/4" and 1/2" of movement before the pedal arm starts to move.
The clutch is now adjusted up to where the two "u" shaped connections that the threaded rod goes through are almost touching each other. There is no more adjustment there.
I know there has been a ongoing discussion concerning worn clutch linkages. The problem is that I can't remember exactly which part of the linkage is suspect.
I have looked through the archives and can't find what I'm looking for.
Please help if you have some knowledge about this problem.

[StudeRich]

At the bottom of the Pedal shaft isn't there a Clamp Bolt that connects it to the cross shaft? If that bolt is loose it could be your problem.
The most common cause of clutch pedal play is elongated clevis pin holes in the little coupling sleeve on the cross shaft near the Clutch housing.

[JoeHall]

Sounds like either the coupler has cracked, or the "fingers" inside the bellhousing, that push against the t/o bearing, have slipped on the shaft they are knurled onto. The coupler is easy; the fingers require tranny & clutch removal. If it has a HD pressure plate, I would install a standard, even light duty. Otherwise, you will have never-ending problems with the linkage.

[56PHawk]

Did you replace the clutch? Or was it done by a PO? I had some of that same issue. Grinding was mostly going into low gear at a stop. Mine was a multipurpose cause. First my clutch disc was fried big time, second the levers on the pressure plate were trashed and third...someone before me had "welded" the ends of the release shaft levers, or what JoeHall is calling the "fingers", because of severe wear. Steel was actually rolled over. Don't know if you have any of this going on but I thought it would be another place to look. Hopefully it will be something a little less labor intensive.

Rog

[kelmbaker]

I re-read my initial note to the group. Something bothered me, then it hit me. The adjustment rod usually is a rod that connects the release rod to the peddle shaft. It has a adjustment swivel and lock nuts and pins, etc... NOT two u shaped pieces. Some PO did some substitution work here, and I bet that contributed to all the clutch problems this car has had. I'm ordering the proper pieces from SI tomorrow. I'm too trusting of the parts I'm handed. This isn't the first time I've been skunked for weeks by "make it work" parts installed over the last fifty years! Thanks everyone. KM