FE Power Forums

FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: fairlaniac on May 29, 2021, 06:15:46 PM

Title: Switch to Tremec and lower clutch rod is short?
Post by: fairlaniac on May 29, 2021, 06:15:46 PM
My lower clutch rod is too short? To bring you up to speed. I installed a Tremec TKX in my Fairlane. I decided to buy a Quick Time bell housing because it was quicker and less risky than modifying the input shaft to fit my Lakewood bell. So per Brent Lykins on an earlier post, he recommended to use a small input fork with the Tremec 1-1/8-26 spline input. One thing I didn’t check was my 1-3/8-10 fork I previously used with a Toploader if it had the same profile (bends & length) as the new small input fork? My lower clutch rod is about an inch or slightly more too short. For those that know. The Quick Time bell comes with a spacer block that you put under the fork pivot to position the fork in the same relative position it was with the Lakewood bell. After getting everything in place and hooked up I pushed the clutch pedal in and it went to the floor. Seems it was out of stroke and the t/o is just touching the pressure plate fingers (3 finger PP). I’m thinking simply cut my lower clutch rod and insert a coupling nut to increase the length just trial the length until I figure out a permanent solution. But before I do I wanted to check and see if anyone else ran into this and what was done? I’m thinking where the lower clutch rod and adapter connects on the end of the fork that the portion of the fork may be bent differently than my previous fork? I sold the big in/out fork too soon to compare. So if anyone has a similar experience to share and your remedy, I’d appreciate it.
Thanks,


(http://www.fairlanet.com/images/clutchrod.jpg)
Title: Re: Switch to Tremec and lower clutch rod is short?
Post by: Joe66GT on May 29, 2021, 09:51:24 PM
I used the Scott Drake C80Z-7515-B fork from Summit and it matches the big bearing fork exactly except of course for the width of the fork.
Title: Re: Switch to Tremec and lower clutch rod is short?
Post by: sixty9cobra on May 29, 2021, 11:37:03 PM
I changed that to a heim joint and threaded rod. Drilled out the stud in the z bar.
Title: Re: Switch to Tremec and lower clutch rod is short?
Post by: fairlaniac on May 30, 2021, 07:11:47 AM
I'm at a point where I don't have time to pull everything back out. My z-bar is one piece and it only comes out if you loosen the frame bracket and lift the engine. That may be a down the road project but I'm looking to do something short term but sturdy enough to drive.

These are the forks I used with the toploader (top) and new fork uses with my Tremec (bottom). Without having my old fork I think the issue may me the angle is different as shown?

(http://www.fairlanet.com/images/forks.jpg)
Title: Re: Switch to Tremec and lower clutch rod is short?
Post by: My427stang on May 30, 2021, 07:16:15 AM
Cut and extend, no worries.
Title: Re: Switch to Tremec and lower clutch rod is short?
Post by: cammerfe on May 30, 2021, 09:05:03 AM
I, too, have used a Heim and Threaded rod. In fact, on my '63 Effie, I completely rebuilt my clutch linkage from the pedal pivot to the fork. I used steel bushings intended for a Hurst shifter to fit up the 'wallered-out' holes, and all Heims and threaded rods. The difference was massive. (I also removed the ball from the bracket on the engine and replaced the bronze bushing---which was needing replaced about every three months due to the wear and roughness on the ball. I put in a bolt and an appropriate-sized nylon 'donut'.) Just like new!! ;)

KS
Title: Re: Switch to Tremec and lower clutch rod is short?
Post by: Tom Gahman on May 30, 2021, 02:08:06 PM
I also revamped my clutch linkage. For the lower pushrod I used a cyl head bolt, a heim at the cross bar end and a lug nut for adjustment at the fork. I think the head bolt was from a jeep six cyl and I used a ford half inch lug nut. Cant remember if I cut new threads or if I used a bolt with a stud on top. You do have to enlarge the hole in the fork. I think I ground off the pin on the cross bar and drilled the correct size for the heim bolt.