clutch adjustment / footboard

[Otter74]

My car is pretty excellent mechanically, but the clutch has usually felt a bit odd, like it wasn't quite adjusted right. A tiny bit of RPM 'bounce' when I let the clutch out; sometimes it's hard to get off the line completely smoothly - not chatter in the clutch, it feels more like it's in the mechanism.

I noticed that, among other things, the throttle pedal would move whenever I pushed the clutch in, and when I stuck my head down there I saw that the throttle and clutch cables were crossed in the tunnel, which explains that. Since I need to un-twist it and a new cable is cheap, I figured I might as well just replace the cable so I got a new cable and clevis pin. It somehow took me a while to notice that my car is missing the footboard on the driver's side. (I also just picked up a used one.) IIRC there is an adjustable clutch stop on the back of the foot board. What is the likelihood that this along is contributing to my funny-feeling clutch? No sense in not doing everything at once but if just putting the foot board in and setting the upper travel limit correctly does it....

[Algernon]

Yes, without the board and its stop, you will simply be pressing down into the carpet. You could easily over-center the clutch spring and get an odd effect. Put in the board and adjust the clutch movement, chances are good that is all you need to do.

[strictly]

the clutch stop at the pedal is to stop you giving it too much clutch, pushing the throwout bearing too close to the pressure plate. I drove 78sc for a while without one, and if i pushed to far, you could here a clutch grind, when i had the clutch out, i could see where they had rubbed.

If your clutch release lever arm smooth? If you disconnect the clutch cable, and remove the smaller arm, then push the main arm back. Does it feel quite free or quite stiff? it needs to "slip" on its shaft for that smooth clutch feeling. Spray grease, it or if you can get it off, take it off and lube it all up. Of course the helper spring, and pedal cluster bushes all play a contributing part.

I would check if your main arm is free to easily move on the operating arm, then adjust the clutch by the book, followed by setting the stop for maximum travel, and see how it feels.

Luke

[Otter74]

Thanks for those replies. I did teach myself that shifting correctly with a 915 meat, among other things, pushing the pedal all the way in, and without a stop I suppose I could be pushing it a bit too far, though I've obviously had quite a bit of time in my car by now and have a feel for it that I did not when I first started shopping a year ago. no grinding if I floor the pedal. I know some of the wonkiness is due to the crossed cables. Not sure what is casuing the flutter when I let it out, but it is possible that the crossed cables are the cause of that. I have a foot board to put in but not a stop or rubber. I want to get the adjustment right the first time, foot board or not, when I replace the cable. Pretty sure my pedal cluster bushings are fine. I will check the release lever arm this weekend.