Firewall Adjuster Wisdom

[dec322]

Tomorrow I will be making some adjustments to my clutch via the firewall adjuster. Right now the clutch engages at the top....I hate it b/c I'm used to cars engaging at the middle to bottom.

I have the instructions to make this adjustment but I thought I would ask for a little wisdom seeing that most instructions do not give all the details needed.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Roland69]

I don't know if you have read this yet but alot of good info
http://www.50stangs.com/techarticles/clutchcableadjustment.html

 

[RsStanG1987]

They suck and adjust like crap... The guy at the local speed shop said they arent worth the money or time because all they do is stretch the cable and wear it out...

 

[gt40_2003wes]

dont buy one with a ajuster not worth the hassel.

 

[Roland69]

so the F/W adj is no good I have one but I won't put it in if they suck

 

[HISSIN50]

Hmm, I dont have an issue with FWA's.

If your POE is at the top and you want it lower in the pedal travel (toward the floor), turn the FWA clockwise. This puts more slack/less preload in the cable.

Good luck.

 

[dec322]

Well, I bought the car with a FWA. I like the idea, we'll see if it works.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Strype]

Well, I bought the car with a FWA. I like the idea, we'll see if it works.

Thanks for the help.

+1 on the clockwise

B'ham Alabama for teh win


+1 also for HATING my fwa

 

[dragnazz5.0]

the guy at your local speed shop is full of crap. i guess he wants you to use an adjustable cable which is far worse than an oem cable. ive never had a problem with a fwa and have never heard of anyone saying that they caused any problems

 

[dec322]

+1 on the clockwise

B'ham Alabama for teh win


+1 also for HATING my fwa

I lived in Huntsville as a kid. I could go out on the porch and look at the Space and Rocket Center.....yet I've never been there

 

[dec322]

update

Well, I couldn't really get the results I wanted. Here are the pics of what I think is my FWA. I loosened the part closest to the firewall and turned the outside knob in toward the firewall (clockwise from the outside.). Result: nothing different.

View attachment 475111






View attachment 475113

 

[HISSIN50]

That's a little weird. For me (single hook, UPR FWA, stock cable) one turn on the FWA will make a huge difference. How many turns did you make?

Good luck.

 

[dec322]

That's a little weird. For me (single hook, UPR FWA, stock cable) one turn on the FWA will make a huge difference. How many turns did you make?

Good luck.

I made about half of a turn and it got kinda hard to turn. I did it by hand b/c I'm not sure if I'm supposed to use some pliers.

 

[HISSIN50]

I made about half of a turn and it got kinda hard to turn. I did it by hand b/c I'm not sure if I'm supposed to use some pliers.

Are you sure the lock nut didnt jamb itself back against the base after you made a half turn? As you turn it clockwise, it should be easy to turn (you're putting slack into the cable).

You were smart to not use pliers. If it's that tough, something is binding (hence my askin about the locknut).

 

[dec322]

Are you sure the lock nut didnt jamb itself back against the base after you made a half turn? As you turn it clockwise, it should be easy to turn (you're putting slack into the cable).

You were smart to not use pliers. If it's that tough, something is binding (hence my askin about the locknut).

Well, I'm not sure about the lock nut. I didn't have alot of time to play b/c I get to watch my children as my wife goes out . I'll have to check later.

One thing that is kinda scary is that I was looking through a box of spare parts and parts that were removed from the car and found an unopened box with a locknut, a screw and a possible fwa. It was some piece of rubber with a hole in the middle. I can post pics if needed. I wonder if this was what he was going to use but instead he bought the steeda adjustable clutch cable with FWA.

 

[HISSIN50]

Well, I'm not sure about the lock nut. I didn't have alot of time to play b/c I get to watch my children as my wife goes out . I'll have to check later.

It was some piece of rubber with a hole in the middle. I can post pics if needed. I wonder if this was what he was going to use but instead he bought the steeda adjustable clutch cable with FWA.

One removes the rubber grommet on a cable to create space for the FWA. The rubber donut could be that.

To avoid confusion, the locknut I speak of is generally a large circle with knurled edges. It looks like you have one installed on your FWA..........

Good luck juggling juggling kids and FWA. Just dont try to screw the kids' heads in while feeding the FWA.

 

[9 Deuce GT]

That is the jam nut HISSIN50 is talking about. It is there to stop the "new" adjustment made to the clutch from slipping back. You have to loosen that to make give the clutch more play.

On a side note, I would like to hear what the other posters Speed shop guy says is a good cable setup. Because I also think he is an idiot.

 

[dec322]

That is the jam nut HISSIN50 is talking about. It is there to stop the "new" adjustment made to the clutch from slipping back. You have to loosen that to make give the clutch more play.

On a side note, I would like to hear what the other posters Speed shop guy says is a good cable setup. Because I also think he is an idiot.

Awesome help!! I'll try to work on it some either today or tomorrow. I like it when people label the pictures....this helps me know what is going on! :SNSign:

 

[Speeds8erM-1]

The speed shop guy is a 100% idiot. He DOES probably want you to use some pos adjustable cable. Those things are GARBAGE. OEM Ford Cable and firewall adjuster with aftermarket quadrant owns all of that. The speed shop guy is either really old school or is just plain out and out giving false info.

 

[HISSIN50]

I suppose for option's-sake [for future searchers], I will say that my old Ford adjustable cable was a pretty nice piece. When held up side by side with a new OEM style cable, they were comparable (the OEM style was a little bit more stout). I havent had a parts store adjustable one - I only hear the posts about them. Me thinks that if needing an adjustable cable, the Ford cable is one good one to use (If I go back to my single hook SVO quadrant, I need a longer cable, and I wont hesistate to use that cable again).