clutch not releasing when hot

[LOUIS AMSLER]

I have a Mcleod twin disc clutch in my '64 Polara 500. Everything is new, but I've adjusted the clutch three times already, each time after a fairly long highway trip. Last time I went about 25 miles, and could hardly get it in reverse because the clutch would not release. I just checked it cold and the pedal free play is 2 1/2". It was only about 1/2" before. My brother has the same clutch in his '70 RR and has had no problems with it. I read some of the other posts on here and saw nothing about being worse when the car is hot. It is either just slowly bending something, or it is related to being hot. Thing is, it works fine now. Too cold to try it out hot. Is there something to break in? Anybody have any ideas on this?

 

[PurpleBeeper]

My first guess is that you just have the clutch adjustment vibrating out of whack. My car used to do that. At least for me, the fix was to carry a 1/2" open end wrench with me......until I got smart and put a new semi-lock nut on the clutch adjuster rod. That's my first guess anyway.

 

[djenkins83]

We had this same setup in a 69 Charger and had to pull the transmission three different times because the car would not go in gear after driving it. Have someone push down the pedal and check the clearance between the disc and the floater plate. If it is to tight it will not let the clutch fully release. We ended up sending the clutch back to McLeod and they were able to change something so we would have more clearance. We had a large gap between the rear disc and the floater plate but the gap between the front disc and the floater was not enough which would cause the disc to stick once the car warmed up. The only way we figured this out was I read where someone else was having the same issue with this same style clutch so apparently its a common problem.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

djenkins83....wow, no kidding? Makes sense with a dual disc setup. I never thought of that.

 

[Photon440]

I was going to say what purplebeeper posted. When I first put a four speed into my road runner, the adjustment nut would move during a drive until you couldn't release the clutch at a stop light. After adding a jam nut, the problem was fixed.

 

[chtampa]

I also found that the rubber piece on the clutch rod wasn't very durable and allowed a lot of excess play. My fix for a daily driver was to remove the rubber and washer and put in a Chevrolet SB Rocker Ball. It sits in the fork pocket perfect and has a 3/8 ID. The good part is it didn't make the car any slower.

 

[LOUIS AMSLER]

Thanks, guys. Can't help but suspect the worst scenario ( 31, on top). I'll repost when i get to look at it.

 

[AR67GTX]

I'm guessing you don't have a hydraulic clutch release system and hydraulic throw out bearing installed?

 

[LOUIS AMSLER]

not hydraulic. It's all stock, but new, I guess repoped parts. This car was an automatic.

 

[PeteBell68]

A clutch of mine would do that . You think it's because it is hot but as your shifting the nut adjuster is backing out .Lock it up easiet way dbl nut or jam but .

 

[LOUIS AMSLER]

HA! It looks like the rod from the pedal is bent and flexes when I step on the clutch.
Took putting somebody in the car to work the clutch while somebody else watched. I think that it
has been bending slowly, making the free play grow. My parts book definitely shows it being straight.
Dragging when it got hot hopefully would not have happened if it didn't bend.