clutch

[HenryVIII]

So... I drove the halftrack out and around for the first time yesterday. I have a question about the clutch. First here is what happened. took it out drove around shifted through all the gears in both ranges. It shifts really nice too. But I noticed when I was going to put it back in the shed that it was really hard to get it out of gear. When it is neutral and the clutch is pushed in the gears are still turning. It will buzz the gears when I try to put in gear. When it is in gear it is hard to get out of gear. Its like the clutch is not releasing completely. When it is in gear the clutch acts as it should. it seems to have the correct freeplay and when you push the clutch in about 2 inches the vehicle will stop.

It seems to me that the clutch is dragging. I did sandblast the clutch plate and flywheel so they might be a little rough, but that should polish up quickly.  I am going to recheck the freeplay. The only things I can think of is that the pilot bearing might be dragging or the clutch faces are getting sticky somehow. I do NOT want to have to take the clutch out again. I have worked on enough clutches to know that this is not normal. Does anyone have any Ideas.

Oh and I did find out also that the engine will get quite warm if you run around with the louvers closed for too long.

I'll put some pictures up when I get a chance.

 Thanks... Henry 

[spec4don]

Henry, be sure you check your adjustment on your clutch. You should have about 1" of free play. Also did you take your radiator out and have it flushed? I had mine recored and I can run all day with the radiator louvers closed and I have no issues without heating up.

Don G.

[HenryVIII]

I will check the freeplay and try to set it to One inch. I assume that is measured at the foot pedal.  The radiator is new, I had it made at the local shop. They do a lot of work for over the road trucks. I was thinking maybe it was the thermostat. But as soon as I opened the louvers it cooled and held right at 180-185.

Henry

[HenryVIII]

I checked the freeplay in the clutch pedal. I measured it at 1/2 inch, its a little tight but should still operate properly. I will reset to about an inch and see if that makes a difference. I checked the shifter with the engine off and it pops into and out of gear with quite a snap. I am hoping that with some use it will loosen up some. I think it is something with the detent balls too tight or binding somehow and not the gears. As for why the clutch is not releasing completely, Still working on that one.

Here are some pictures of the beast. Progress is slow but steady. once I get the mechanical issues figured out I will take the body off and finally paint it.  Henry   

[Outsider]

Sounds like you need to adjust the clutch internally. They adjust like a semi truck if you are familiar with them.

Steve

[WayOffTrack]

Nice looking track love the old paint on the doors. Not sure but in the 2nd pic it looks kinda like you have 900x20 size tires mounted. If that is the case don't drive it with those on much or you will damage your front end since it throws off the ratio between the front and rear axles.

[steve-0]

did you buy a clutch pressure plate from gary H?

he has defective plates mixed in with some good ones. he knows this
the last person that i talked to about this said he wouldn't take a return.

one of them the poor guy had pulled his trans out 3 times before he borrowed (permanently) an nos plate from me.

[HenryVIII]

Hi,  Yes I am going to try to adjust the clutch internally. I did not realize there were 2 different adjustments. clutch adjust to 3/8 to1/2 inch by the throwout bearing. I am not sure where that measurement is taken from, and the second is the pedal freeplay 1-1 1/2 inch. The book says to adjust the clutch then the pedal. But the book is not real detailed about this. I will verify and try to correct if necessary tomorrow.

Yes the tires are 900-20. I did not think that would be a problem if I did not use 4wd. If this is wrong, I will have to change them to 8.25-20.  Good observation. The door is from a halftrack that was used as a tow truck. It says Kulls Garage and the telephone number is 2  (Tel II).

The clutch, pressure plate and disk were from parts tracks. I was lucky enough to accumulate 3 complete clutches and I used the best parts from each. The parts were checked by a machine shop and were in very good condtion.  I try to buy parts from Gary only as a last resort, He has a lot of stuff but his prices are high.

   

[eleanor]

Nice looking track!

[spec4don]

Nice track Henry

Don G.

[HenryVIII]

Thanks everyone for the compliments on the track. I did have to adjust the clutch, it was a little short on pedal freeplay.  I reset the it to the book specs. and it seems to work fine now. Its hard to believe such a small adjustment can make such a big difference. I thought it was set right when I assembled the clutch so I did not re-check it after I had it in the vehicle.

Henry

[andy]

I like you gas pedal. Custom made? looks alot stronger than the flimsy factory one

Andy

[HenryVIII]

yes. Made it myself.. All I did was bend edges a small scrap of left over diamond plate.

Henry