King Cobra Clutch

[tcrist]

Has anyone put in a King Cobra Clutch assy in an early 90's CR Cobra with the stock clutch cable on a T5. I am running into an issue with not enough throw (I think). The clutch pedal hits the firewall before the clutch engages. Has anyone run into this issue and if so how did you fix this (even if it was not with a King Cobra Clutch)? Any suggestions?

Terry

[onefastmustang]

I had this same problem... What does your cable look coming out of the firewall?? Did you buy the adapter that is needed to make it all work??

[tcrist]

What adapter? My cable is in a housing that has "2" bolts that bolt into the firewall. The cable sheath goe's all of the way to the bellhousing there the white plastic piece goes into the hole in the bellhousing amd then the cable and ball piece goes into the clutch fork. I am putting pictures in my gallery.

Terry

[onefastmustang]

Your setup looks similar to mine except that the housing (the adapter I refered to) on mine looks to be about an inch longer than yours.. Hard to tell.. How long is the housing you have.. Ill run out and measure mine in a moment.

[tcrist]

The housing from the firewall to the cable sheath is about 4 1/4" long

[onefastmustang]

Interesting... Mine is actually shorter than yours.. 3 3/8" on mine.. Do you have the nut at the other end cranked in about 90% of the way??

[tcrist]

If you mean the adjuster nut on the end of the cable, no, it is only about 3/4 up on the threads. But I do not have any pedal free play left. If I go much more I think the throwout bearing would be spinning all of the time. Is this not an issue?

[onefastmustang]

I haven't had any issues with mine yet.. It seems to work just fine that way. But I am not a full time mechanic. My disengagement of the clutch is at the bottom third of the throw which personally i don't care for all that much. On my 03 Cobra its in the top 1/4 just where I like it.. ;>)

[tcrist]

I'll try adjusting it more and see what it does.

Thanks OFM

Terry

[tcrist]

OFM
Thanks, I now have clutch. I still have a concern about wearing out the throwout bearing. Anyone else out there that knows more about clutches have any ideas? Is there a way to change the pivot point to get more throw on the clutch cable?

Terry

[CobraEd]

I have this exact setup, (Classic Roadster, T5Z, King Cobra Clutch) and have been told that these throwout bearings are made to ride the presure plate all the time. It is the same way in all the 5.0 mustangs with stock clutches. So far, no problems, all works well.

My clutch engauges about 3/4" from the top where I like it to be. I have a steel sleeve that slid over the cable end that allows more adjustment. It is about 2" long. Kinda like a 2" plasic straw made out of steel. The sleeve is between the clutch fork and the nut on the cable so there is way more adjustment room.

.

[onefastmustang]

Originally Posted by CobraEd

I have this exact setup, (Classic Roadster, T5Z, King Cobra Clutch) and have been told that these throwout bearings are made to ride the presure plate all the time. It is the same way in all the 5.0 mustangs with stock clutches. So far, no problems, all works well.

My clutch engauges about 3/4" from the top where I like it to be. I have a steel sleeve that slid over the cable end that allows more adjustment. I is about 2" long. The sleve is between the clutch fork and the nut on the cable so there is way more adjustment room.

.

Where did you get this sleeve from?? I would like to pick myself up one to get more play..

[HI Cobra]

Just guessing here but I have gotten stainless tubing of different diameters
for other applications but would probably work fine here. You can get the
tube and cut whatever length you want. Ace hardware has quite a variety
and should have something you could use.

[tcrist]

CobraEd,
How many miles do you have on this setup? I'll check with Mustangs Plus and Ford about the throwout bearing riding on the pressure plate all of the time. I did not think they should but I am about 20 years behind the times when it comes to the new stuff. Hay,I still have an 8 track player in the garage, with tapes, and it still works. Got rid of the 4 track years ago. Now if you remember 4 tracks you would be as old as me and that would make you older that Denny's.

Terry

[CobraEd]

I was surprised about the throwout bearing too. But I was told that is the way it is. All of the hundreds of thousands of 5.0 mustangs in the world all run like this. It is not like the old days when the bearing would pull away from the pressure plate and hang on the fork.

Yes I remember 4 track tapes. Just like an 8 track but with no built in roller. Do you remember under dash record players ???? !!!!

[Jimi G]

You might need to go with a adjustable pivot ball, I think that will help out your situation too. jimig@standardtransmission.com

[tcrist]

Jimi G
I barely have enough room between the pivot ball and pressure plate to slide the clutch fork through to hook it on (maybe 3/8 of an inch). I am thinking about modifing my firewall to get more throw. If I cut a hole in it, set the clutch then glass in a dome leaving clearance for the pedal then that should work. Sounds like modification time. I talked to Mustangs Plus last night and they said that the throwout bearing should not ride on the pressure plate all of the time. I am going to drop by the Ford dealer tonight and ask one of there mech's.

Terry

[tcrist]

Ok, I talked to the Ford mech this afternoon and he said that the throwout bearing is supposed to have pressure on the pressure plate ( approx 7 LBS) and it has been like that since the mid to late 80's like CobraEd said. So with CobraEd's info and confirmed by Ford that is the way that I am going to run my clutch. I am also going to add the 2" long tubing spacer that CobraEd uses. Thank's to Onefastmustang, CobraEd & Jimi G for all of you help.

Terry