Clutch assembling

[Gman1013]

I am installing the clutch assembly on my Cobra. I have torqued the 6 bolts on the diampram housing to the flywheel (14ft/lbs.) and there is a small space between the pressure plate housing and the flywheel, maybe 1/16 of an inch or less. If I torque the bolts tighter, the clearance will go to zero but I am compressing the pressure plate springs when I do that. Is there supposed to be that small space between the flywheel and the pressire plate housing when properly installed?? I assume there is but it seems strange to that only those small 5/16" bolts will be in direct contact between the flywheel and pressure plate.

Greg

[Cobra20646]

Greg,

I don't know the procedure you used to install the pressure plate, but incorrect tightening sequence can distort and ruin a pressure plate.

The correct way to install the plate, is to first place the clutch plate and disk against the flywheel and position the disk with an alignment tool or old input shaft (I like the old shaft better than the plastic tools)

Then insert the screws and lock washers in the plate finger tight first. Then tighten each screw a little bit at a time using a cris cross pattern until the plate is seated. The plate should be tight against the flywheel. Then torque..... and I thought the torque was like 15 to 20 ft/lbs, but that may be make/model specific, so check yours first.

[blykins]

Jim was right....it should sit flat against the flywheel. Make sure you tighten and torque them the way Jim described...and I think the torque setting is about 25 lb-ft.

[strictlypersonl]

Gman,

Are you sure that the driven disk is oriented correctly? It seems to me that even 14 lb-ft torque should normally bring the pressure plate flush with the flywheel.

[Junket]

I am sure you checked to make sure it not in backwards at 14# it should be tight?
Ken

[Gman1013]

My Chiltons book said 14ftlbs. and then I checked several sites online and it seems that 35ftlbs is the required torque. I went to 35 lbs and now the pressure plate is in tight contact with the flywheel. DOes anyone have a different torque rating for these bolts?

Gman

[Cobra20646]

Greg,

I guess you could ask that same question again and again until you found one that agreed with your torque wrench..... but that don't make it right.

35 pounds is close to twice the recommended torque.... my Ford rebuild book says something like 13 to 22 (read it last night and can't remember exactly what it was).

If I were you, I'd take that thing apart and check it ten ways to
Sunday..... remember that this thing is going to be spinnng less than a foot from your right leg..... ain't worth taking the chance!

You didn't mention what kind of flywheel/disk/plate you're running, and I'm courious now why the thing isn't going together like all the others I've assembled.

- Jim -

[Clois Harlan]

GMAN,

I just installed a new Hays performance clutch this weekend and my instructions on the clutch and pressure plate said 15-25 lbs of torque. My Ford FE manual indicates 12-22 Lbs of torque. My pressure plate sits flat on the flywheel too.

Once you get your pressure plate mounted finger tight run your finger around the edge between the pressure plate and your clutch to make sure the clutch has the same amount of clearance around the edges of your pressure plate while you still have your alignment tool still in your pilot bearing. If you seem to have a little more in one area than the other push your clutch with your fingers to center it a little better. Tighten everything down as Jim suggested.


Clois