Question about clutch engagement friction point
 

My dad and I spent some QT with my new to me 84 carrera this weekend:

• replaced clutch cable
• installed coupler whiperer bushings
• replaced helper (omega) spring
• fluid change -- kendall 75w90
• adjustments of clutch cable, pedal stop, coupler
• a bunch of other stuff not related to my question

Question 1: the clutch engages almost right off the pedalboard stop now. Is this normal?

Before the all the work, it was engaging probably 2" off the stop. Overall the car is shifting significantly better -- it doesn't balk going into first from a stop anymore.

Question 2: I still get a small chunk going into reverse when the trans is cold, seems to go right in when warm. Should I adjust the pedal stop even further back (maybe not getting full disengagement)? I'm at the upper end of the spec in the Bentley manual.

thanks all
Rich

No. It should disengage about 1" into your press of the pedal, so pretty near the top of the travel. I have mine dialed in well and it desengages in the first 3" of travel with quite a bit of travel beyond this.

No. From what you describe you are not properly adjusted back at the clutch arm. Did you set the clutch arm adjustment screw at 1.2mm with feeler gauge (cable off) then set the cable to 1mm (0.2mm preload)?

Your pedal travels should be 25mm total measured at the clutch arm. This is what you adjust by moving the stopper on the floorboard. No need for it to be any further if the cable is properly adjusted.

Are you sure you had the cable housing stop on the new cable seated all the way in at the firewall? Sometimes if you don't get it seated completely, then adjust it to spec, it will seat the first couple presses of the pedal then you will be off. This would cause the symptoms you describe.

As for reverse, Remember, it's a 915 transmission. It will shift like a tractor even when everything is optomized. After 12 years of tinkering with mine I learned just to lower my expectations. :p Regardless it sounds like your clutch is not adjusted properly at all, assuming everything is OK inside the bell housing.

yep, dead nuts.

yep -- I'm at 25mm now.

hm...I thought so, but this is my first time installing a clutch cable on an 84 so it's possible it moved after the road test. I'll jack it up and check again.

yeah, I drove a 901 for years and after getting everything dialed in, it shifted very much like this 915 is shifting now. I know these old cars will never shift like hondas.

I'll remeasure and try again.

Just to close the loop here --

I had the clutch cable routed incorrectly under the car. I routed it correctly and adjusted per bently, shifting great now!

Or, as great as a 915 can shift....

Many things about our P cars are very unlike Hondas. That's why we drive them!
I love my 915.