Clutch Finger Adjustment Specs for a 1930 Studebaker?

[richard m]

Does anyone have a manual that gives the correct specs for clutch finger height on the pressure plate for a 1930 Studebaker Dictator Six? The fingers are normally set by the manufacturer or rebuilder, but if they need adjustment, there is a spec for this adjustment.  Thanks for any help you may have.   Richard

[KRK Sr.]

Richard,

Do you have a Long brand two-disc clutch? If so, the disc thickness is critical to get the clutch to stop.

Karl

[richard m]

Yes, this is a Long clutch and pressure plate, but single disk type.  I had the disk re-faced by Ft. Wayne Clutch and Driveline (they did a great job!), and my pressure plate is a rebuilt unit.  However, I had to switch out the fingers from my old pressure plate so now need to adjust them back to correct height.  Normally this adjustment is made at the factory or rebuilder, so its not a common task for the home mechanic.  But that's where I am at.  I understand the fingers are adjusted with the plate and clutch disk mounted on the flywheel.  

[KRK Sr.]

Richard,

 

On all Pierce Long clutches the distance from the back of the center disc hub to top of fingers is 1 1/8 inches. I made a plastic tool that fits in the disc and then have a 1 1/8 inch dowel on top to give me a place to put a straight edge on it to check each finger.

 Karl

[trini]

Just a thought.  If you put a picture up it would be nice , if possible. I would like to see how the fingers are loaded against the pressure plate. Looks like you are getting somewhere.

Cheers and good luck

[richard m]

Thanks -  Here are a couple of pics of the pressure plate.  Hope these help!  This is for a Long 8AB clutch used on various Studebakers, Auburn, Erskine, and Graham Paige from 1929-1932 according to Hollander Interchange Manual.  

[KRK Sr.]

Here is my set tool: small circle fits pilot bushing, center fits disc, last is the depth setting. It is measured from picture 2 disc center. I then just put a straight edge across the top and set my fingers to be level with that level.   Your clutch parts must be assembled to your fly wheel and tight to make these final adjustments on your outer lock bolt and nut.Karl

[richard m]

Thanks Karl, its a  big help. I will make a similar tool on my lathe.  However I suspect the 1 1/8" measurement for your two disk clutch will not be correct for my single disk .  I think I mostly need to make sure the three fingers are within .002 of each other at approximately the same depth as when I removed the plate.  -Richard

[trini]

Good morning  richard m. looking at the picture of the clutch assembly the fingers are out out of wack with each other. If  I read you correctly you changed the fingers . And now you want to adjust them back to height. 

I do not like to tell people what to do. I will suggest  only. Remove the flywheel and place on the bench face up, put the disc on and then the pressure plate. Bolt the pressure on the flywheel down pat.  Look at the fingers , you will see the difference in heights. The the fingers can be adjusted slowly one at a time until they are level. YOU ARE NOT FINISHED YET. Adjusting the disc with the pressure plate is another step.  

Cheers mate.

Have a nice day.

[richard m]

Thanks Trini.  Yes, my next step is to mount the plate and disk and get the fingers even

[KRK Sr.]

Richard, 

Living in the real world and not the perfect world, re-grinding of the flywheel and pressure plate, and the new thickness of the disc material all play into getting the distance correct. Once assembled I would adjust the fingers to 1 1/8 inch +/- then see if you are at the inner edge of the old wear marks when a straight edge is on the dowel tool and the 3 fingers. That should be close.

Karl

[richard m]

Thanks, will give it a try.