adjusted clutch.....now what?

[Car RamRod]

I finally got around to adjusting my clutch today, because there was not enough play and I was afraid I was killing the tb. Anyway, I got it feeling beautiful, it feels like a clutch should, it used to be a little springy and have no play.
The only problem is, that it is usually a bit hard to get into gear from a stop. Im not really sure what to do know. BTW I have a pro5.0 shifter. What's holding me out of gear?

 

[Mavrick]

Are you sure you know what a clutch should feel like? Sounds like you adjusted it too loose...

Tight and springy with less than stock pedal effort is how my CF dual friction feels.. i love it.

I hope your not comparing your clutch to a car with a hydro clutch, because thats not how yours is supposed to feel!

 

[jrichker]

Another vote for a clutch that is adjusted too loose. The clutch cable will have a significant preload tension when properly adjusted.

 

[HISSIN50]

A simple way to relay to folks your adjustment would be to let us know how far off the floor the clutch engages.......



Good luck.

 

[Car RamRod]

its not as nice soft as my brothers clutch (hydraulic), its pretty similar to the clutch feel in in my fathers truck, but thats not quite the same deal. So the chances are its too loose right?

 

[8950HO]

Sounds like the clutch cable adjustment is probably too loose.
Do you have a aftermarket quad/firewall adjuster or stock setup?

 

[Car RamRod]

its an aftermarket adjustment. The adjustment is at the clutch fork though. I dont know why the previous owner spent the money for an aftermarket quadrant and didnt get a firewall adjuster, but w/e.

 

[8950HO]

its an aftermarket adjustment. The adjustment is at the clutch fork though. I dont know why the previous owner spent the money for an aftermarket quadrant and didnt get a firewall adjuster, but w/e.

That sucks.No firewall adjuster, just an adjustable cable in your case .
Adjustable cables are junk and appear to have a high failure/breakage rate.

You really need a firewall adjuster with an aftermarket quadrant,and the stock Ford non-adjustable OEM clutch cable is the most durable from what I`ve read.(I would definately buy the Ford clutch cable when the time comes).

 

[HISSIN50]

For right now, the cable should not be the issues unless your pedal freeplay is jacked (from cable stretch, etc). An adjustable cable works fine and can actually be easier (IMHO) to dial in. As I recall, JR runs a Ford Adjustable cable, and I do too (mine is not even a Ford piece). I am about to swap to a non-adjustable stocker, but the other one works fine (it is getting old).

 

[Notched90]

I had the same prob when i was adjusting my new quadrant. It is too loose, and if you dont have a firewall adjuster you have to make the changes where the cable connects to the tranny. Its a pain in the buttox, but it'll be more precise adjustments. I just use the firewall adjuster on mine

btw i got my whole quadrant kit off ebay for 50 bucks....its by new era performance parts...only problem with installation was there was no place to hook up the tension spring that keeps you pedal firm on the quadrant itself (easy fix)

 

[Car RamRod]

so when the time comes, should I get a stocker cable, or a firewall adjuster?

 

[Notched90]

Id personally go with the after market...as long as you go aluminum. Heres mine : EBAY .......good ebayer to buy it from also.
and yes, go with one with a firewall adjuster it will make life much easier!

 

[HISSIN50]

so when the time comes, should I get a stocker cable, or a firewall adjuster?

Were it me, I would use an oem-style (non-adjustable) cable and the FWA that this necessitates. I actually prefer adjustable cables - I adjust the cable once every two years and you can do it from under the car once if you know what you are doing (I dont know why people need to get underneath more than once, in other words). But those cables can leave something to be desired in some instances.........

Anyhow, The oem-style cable is a much-preferred route to go. You will need a FWA for it since it is the adjustable (via a rod at the clutch fork) cables that dont need a FWA.

Good luck.

 

[Car RamRod]

ill think about it. How hard are these to install? Is it just a matter of snaking the cable down under the engine and all? How about putting in the quadrant?

 

[HISSIN50]

ill think about it. How hard are these to install? Is it just a matter of snaking the cable down under the engine and all? How about putting in the quadrant?

Here is a very nice article by Jeremy Thompson (V8 only) which should answer many of your install questions, and much more concisely than some of us can do.

Getting a stock quadrant and pawl off is the hardest part.

Good luck.

 

[Car RamRod]

Getting a stock quadrant and pawl off is the hardest part.

Good luck.

I dont have the stock quadrant though, mine is alum.
Do you think I could use the same one?

 

[HISSIN50]

I dont have the stock quadrant though, mine is alum.
Do you think I could use the same one?

Then it will be REALLY easy. You should be able to reuse the same quadrant you have now - I have read of a weird quadrant or two that wont let a stock-style cable hook up, but I doubt you have one of those..........

 

[Car RamRod]

ok, Ill just get what I have now working (no reason it shouldnt), but when I get a new clutch ill get a fwa for sure.