marcapra Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I was reading my 46-51 DeSoto shop manual about the clutch. It was referring to steam cleaning the engine. It said to be sure to engage and disengage the clutch under power after steam cleaning or the clutch plate will bond to the flywheel and have to be replaced if not driven soon. If that can happen after a week or so, what would happed after 30 to 40 years? I guess the new clutch I installed in 1985 is toast? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 It can get stuck to the flywheel with rust. If it is stuck you will have to un-stick it. It is extremely unlikely you would have to replace it unless you drove it enough miles to wear it out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozrocks Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 It is very common for clutch plates to stick to the flywheel. There is a lot of pressure there after all. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer09 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 for storage, some folks keep the clutch pedal depressed.......... a few shots should do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 It's not uncommon for the resins used in the bonding process to leach out and adhere the clutch plate to the flywheel. Remember the pressure plate is keeping pressure on the clutch and squeezing it for the 30 years in storage. As mercer suggests by keeping pressure off the disc when in storage will prevent this from happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 One method that sometimes works is to jack the rear end up very securely (I have a scissors lift). Start the engine in third, idle until warmed up , get the wheels spinning pretty good , depress the clutch, then hit the brakes hard and fast. There are other more dangerous methods I've used (an old tire makes a good push bumper). The safe way is to drop the tranny and replace the disk, it probably has issues by now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Used Padgett's method on my model A this Spring. It is a tad unnerving when the clutch breaks free, but it worked on second stab at the breaks. Forums and books said around a half dozen times is typical with a Model A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Is also good for breaking frozen wheels free from the hub (loosen but do not remove lug nuts). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer09 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 another method that is far safer.......... open tranny cover plate- use a straw with alcohol and drip alcohol down in between clutch and plate. sometimes will pop loose. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Another way to free a stuck clutch, if there is a removable access plate. Have someone push down the clutch pedal or prop it down with a stick. Slip a knife blade between the clutch plate and pressure plate, and between the clutch plate and flywheel. To be extra sure, turn the engine half a turn and do it again. And yes, it is recommended to prop down the clutch pedal if storing a car for more than a couple of months. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I saw Wayne Carini free up a stuck clutch by putting the car in high gear and holding down the clutch pedal while a couple of big guys shove the car back and forth until the clutch comes loose. It's worth a try. It worked on TV s but I've never tried it myself. I've also saw people completely remodel a house in 30 minutes on TV but I've not tried that either 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Ronnie said: I saw Wayne Carini free up a stuck clutch by putting the car in high gear and holding down the clutch pedal while a couple of big guys shove the car back and forth until the clutch comes loose. It's worth a try. It worked on TV s but I've never tried it myself. I've also saw people completely remodel a house in 30 minutes on TV but I've not tried that either I've used that rock the car in gear with the pedal all the way down method a number of times and it does work if the clutch disc is not badly rusted to the flywheel/pressure plate. I have seen some discs that the rust grew into the fibers of the friction facings of the clutch disc. When the disc was removed, chunks of rust scale stayed imbedded in the friction facings. When that happens the clutch will always drag because it has become too thick with rust. Paul Edited June 27, 2019 by PFitz (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c49er Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 A stuck clutch on a Fluid Drive Mopar usually requires removing the lower cover and using a thin blade to wedge the disc loose with the clutch pedal pushed down. There is no shock load to break the clutch disc loose because of the fluid coupling. I had replaced a clutch in a 1948 Chrysler 2 weeks prior to the customer parking the car over his new shop concrete slab. A week later the clutch was stuck. I had to pry the disc loose... surface rusting from moisture coming up from the new concrete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I'm usually alone when I have to do things. Fortunately I usually drive the Judge every few months and it has a Centerforce clutch. Knife blade in access cover makes sense. Think I'd remove all the plugs so easy to turn first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I make a point to go out to my Plymouth while on Winter hiatus and push the clutch down and up several times every couple weeks. Also push down the brakes pedal while i am there. Never had an issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcapra Posted June 28, 2019 Author Share Posted June 28, 2019 It will be interesting to see if I can push down the clutch to the floor board and see if it's stuck. First I have to install the master cylinder, and then install the clutch and brake pedals that attach to a bar on the master cylinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimy Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 When this happens on my vintage Triumph motorcycle I ride it around the yard with the clutch pulled in and revving the throttle up and down. It usually breaks free quickly. I'm not sure about hitting the brakes while the wheels are spinning in the air. When I was fifteen I was messing with my 64 Valiant convertible that was parked in the snowy yard for the winter. I was trying to move it around and revved it up while the wheels were spinning in the snow. It didn't budge and for some reason I hit the brakes while the wheels were still spinning fast. Big noise and I had to replace the rear end. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Walling Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 On a side note, I have a 55 Ford F150 that was sitting for a long time that had a fresh brake job done. After many years of sitting the bonded brake shoes separated from the shoe. I imagine the same could happen to the clutch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 5 hours ago, jimy said: When this happens on my vintage Triumph motorcycle I ride it around the yard with the clutch pulled in and revving the throttle up and down. It usually breaks free quickly. I'm not sure about hitting the brakes while the wheels are spinning in the air. When I was fifteen I was messing with my 64 Valiant convertible that was parked in the snowy yard for the winter. I was trying to move it around and revved it up while the wheels were spinning in the snow. It didn't budge and for some reason I hit the brakes while the wheels were still spinning fast. Big noise and I had to replace the rear end. Jim I had this trouble on Triumph and other British motorcycles until I started filling the primary chaincase with automatic transmission fluid. The ATF is good for the clutches and good for the chains and never harmed the alternator or anything else. After that, I would pull in the clutch and kick the starter just to make sure the clutch was free before starting the engine. This will not work on some late 70s Triumphs that had a common oil supply for engine and chaincase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prewar40 Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 I just had my clutch fixed because of that problem. I store my car on blocks in the winter and start it about once a month. I was told by the restorer that in addition to that I need to work the clutch a few times and let the wheels spin. He is really smart so I'll be doing that from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 Or prop the clutch pedal down with a stick for long term storage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe in Canada Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 (edited) Years ago my first tractor was an 8N Ford. It sat a fair amount of time so when the clutch stuck I would head for the nearest apple tree to solve the problem. Edited June 29, 2019 by Joe in Canada (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 Was the car exposed to high humidity during the long storage? If so, then disc is very likely to rust-bond to pressure plate and flywheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prewar40 Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 My stuck clutch was in climate controlled storage. Temp 55 and humidity at 55 or less. I have a dehumidifier set to 55 but our winters are even more dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer09 Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 It sat a fair amount of time so when the clutch stuck I would head for the nearest apple tree to solve the problem. the 8n was partial to apples? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 Worked for Newton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 I have the same problem with my 65 Corvette, been stuck for 2 years. Tried jacking it up and running in second gear, could never get it in 4th. Close ratio tranny. Could not get it loose. No access plate at the bottom of the flywheel housing, so that doesn't work. Might try the 3 big guy, roll in 4 gear deal. I have already set a shop up to pull the transmission out. Bummer!!! Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 21 minutes ago, R W Burgess said: Might try the 3 big guy, roll in 4 gear deal. Let us know how that works out for you. Shove the car back and forth like you were trying to rock it out of a mud hole. The shock on the clutch plate from the drivetrain changing directions is what breaks it loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 I really like the Centerforce clutch in the Judge. I have a lot of stock GM clutches, especially ones with small blocks crack the disk so that one of the springs cocks lock up. Clutch usually feels heavier than normal but does not release. Probably a good time to pull the tranny and check the clutch for mechanical problems. Is really one of the simpler jobs and an aluminum case Muncie is not very heavy (until it is sitting on your chest after the umpteenth try to get it to slide in failed again). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 5 minutes ago, padgett said: (until it is sitting on your chest after the umpteenth try to get it to slide in failed again). Been there, done that. 😊🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 2 hours ago, padgett said: (until it is sitting on your chest after the umpteenth try to get it to slide in failed again) I have done that aged 18 with a 1953 Buick transmission, working outside on a crushed rock driveway. Then I discovered pilot shafts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 Had another friend who took the main shaft out of a Chrysler transmission and used it as a clutch alignment tool. Helps to have extra parts lying around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 5 hours ago, plymouthcranbrook said: Had another friend who took the main shaft out of a Chrysler transmission and used it as a clutch alignment tool Main drive gear maybe, not main shaft unless WPC uses different nomenclature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 1 hour ago, Tinindian said: Main drive gear maybe, not main shaft unless WPC uses different nomenclature. In my neck of the woods it's called an input shaft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, Tinindian said: Main drive gear maybe, not main shaft unless WPC uses different nomenclature. Probably me using the wrong term. The Spline shaft that goes through the clutch disc on one end and had a single gear on the other. About a foot long if I remember right. This was 50 years ago so the memory is dim. Used for a 225 slant six in a 61 Valiant and a three speed trans with a floor shift. Edited July 1, 2019 by plymouthcranbrook (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Input Shaft = Pilot Shaft = Main Drive Gear 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Before acquiring a couple of plastic ones (10 spline, 26 spline) I used the input shaft from a Corvair, about 2 feet long, to align the disk. Have used the input shaft/gear from a Muncie before (about 10" long). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 As some old mechanics taught me, I always made all my clutch pilot tools out of wood. Lathe turn, or whittle down some wooden clothes closet pole. Even cut flats to clamp a dial indicator onto the pilot tool for when I need to check or center up a bell housing by the transmission opening. A common way that's done on early cars. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Man Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 I have had the same problem before, inside storage, but not climate controlled. I jacked up the rear end, started the car, with the clutch in but wheels spinning, repeatedly revved the engine. Broke loose in a couple iterations. I would think you could pull the car with a tractor and do the same thing (operating the clutch)? My tractor I park outside, seizes up all the time, I just drive in the ditch with the clutch depressed and it breaks free. I like the idea for splitting the clutch from underneath, I do have an access cover. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaiah Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 You can jack up 1 rear wheel and put the clutch peddle in the disengage area and take that wheel and rock it back and forth til it comes unstuck We have a 800 Ford tractor and that Clutch stuck so we wired the peddle down and left it for a while then then I put part of a drive shaft on the pto and put the pto to the in position and gave it a good tug and it came loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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