D-45 CONE CLUTCH QUESTIONS

[Terry Wiegand]

The car is approaching 450+ miles on the clock since getting back on the road last year.  The engine runs absolutely wonderful after the rebuild.  I believe that the relined clutch is settling in and this is where my questions are.  The car runs well in all three forward gears - no problems in the transmission area.  It is extremely hard to shift from first gear into second and slightly better from second into third.  I am hoping that someone can explain what the function of the CLUTCH ADJUSTING NUT is all about.  I have the feeling that when I had everything all apart for clean-up that I lost some of the adjustments that are critical to the smooth operation of the clutch.

What am I missing here?  The thickness of the new leather on the cone is playing into this somehow and I am not sure how to adjust things properly.  Any and all explanation and help will be very much appreciated.

 

Terry Wiegand

South Hutchinson, Kansas

AACA Life Member #947918

[Oldtech]

Hi Terry, I've been following the story of this car with great interest.  The only thing you can adjust is the 3 springs on the spider to get them even. BUT... i suspect that if you can put a spacer on top of the expander springs so they don't press the leather up as far, it will improve things.  Had to do that on my D-35. 

[Terry Wiegand]

I am going to remove the two floorboards and the bottom toeboard so that i can get into the clutch area and look around.  I am thinking that the CLUTCH ADJUSTING NUT has something to do with the clutch brake.  It just feels like when I put the clutch pedal all the way down and let up on the gas pedal, the cone is still running lickety split.  I cannot get away from the thought that this is an adjustment issue since the newly lined cone is 'seating in' as they say.  Will let everyone know what I find.

 

Terry Wiegand

South Hutchinson, Kansas

AACA Life Member #947918