Clutch chatter

[fisher]

When I purchased my comet it had some clutch chatter that I was never able to adjust out of it. The clutch appeared to be in good order and the flywheel showed no adverse wear. The throw-out bearing began to make noise so I replaced that and while at it replaced the clutch and resurfaced the flywheel. It had an 11 inch clutch and I replaced it with the same. Stock specs call out an 10.5 clutch but the engine had been replaced with a newer year so I left it 11 inch. I was very careful not to get any oil on the clutch or flywheel and did not wipe it down with anything but a clean dry rag. The new clutch chatters just like the old one did. I have adjusted it to extremes and have improved it somewhat but it is still there. Motor mounts are in good shape and tight, clutch linkage seems in good working order. Have I missed something? help? It is a 1965 Cyclone with a T-10 4-speed, 302 with 1971 serial numbers.

[barrys65cyclone]

did you use a NEW or rebuilt clutch ?

[popscomet]

Back in the day of my younger days ,seemed like if I replaced with a rebuilt set up ,I always got some chatter,,if I went with brand new,there was no chatter......and it always on FORDS,,,my chevy friends could get away with useing rebuilt.....???? pop

[Lou's Comet]

You replaced pressure plate too I am guessing?

What is condition of pilot bearing/bushing? Front bearing cover on trans where TO bearing rides? you said engine mounts are good, trans mount good too? Check U joints, rear spring bushings, rubber pads where axle sits on springs, tail shaft bushing.

Lou

[fisher]

Pressure plate, pilot brg, u-joints,spring bushings, spring pads, motor mounts, transmission mounts,all new. Drivehaft balanced, transmission just rebuilt. Clutch was rebuilt by a reputable builder here in the city that came highly recommended. Really do not want to start over replacing parts only to still have the chatter. Any other suggestions?

[fryedaddy]

i put some traction bars on one of my comets one time and it helped stop the chatter more than anything

[Lou's Comet]

Pressure plate, pilot brg, u-joints,spring bushings, spring pads, motor mounts, transmission mounts,all new. Drivehaft balanced, transmission just rebuilt. Clutch was rebuilt by a reputable builder here in the city that came highly recommended. Really do not want to start over replacing parts only to still have the chatter. Any other suggestions?

No I wouldn't replace the new parts.
Is the car stock or have there been any modifications to the driveline like aftermarket crossmember, polymounts, scatter shield, etc. is the ride height stock or has the car been lowered or raised in the rear? Airshocks? Driveshaft/pinion angles stock(ish) ? Tab on clutch z-bar not bent/cracked?

What rear gear you have. Long time ago I had a TA with 2:73 rear, had clutch chatter replaced everything still had it, went to a lower gear 3:73 and clutch chatter went away.

As fryedaddy said traction bars may help, if you don't want traction bars maybe clamps on the front of leaf springs would help. Check rear spring U bolts make sure they are tight.

Lou

[lavron]

Lou and Frye may be on to something, maybe not related too the clutch at all, have you checked the pinion angle on the rear? If that has already been suggested ignore what I said

See Ya,
Mike

[popscomet]

I took a length of 1in double wall pipe and laid on the top of the springs and used 2 muffler clamps per side,from the tie bolt to the frt eye,as I did not want slap bars hangin down,,,this was way over 30 yrs ago and they are still on there,cause I still own the 64 mustang....289 4spd.......POP

[fisher]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Keep them coming. The car has been lowered 2" all around. Rear axle with 2" lowering blocks. It has new air shocks and the rear spring leafs have been clamped in front of the axle (to correct for bad wheel hop). All bolts are tight. Pinion/drive shaft angle checks out acceptable (discussed this with an Inland Driveline Specialist at a NSRA siminar, pinion, shaft, and tranny are all inline, no offset, but the expert says that will be OK just that u-joints may not last as long). Z-bar is brand new. Rear end ratio is 3.00:1.

[Comechero65]

I know you said the flywheel has been resurfaced. Question is did it look like it had any hot spots? Flywheels can develop hot spots which don't resurface well but can effect the clutch not making uniform contact. If it had any hot spots possibly that could effect the chatter. Just a thought.
Ron

[fisher]

The flywheel had no visible hot spots before of after resurfacing that I saw. It was surfaced by the shop I bought the clutch from and he inspected it before and after the work was done. I believe he would have taken the opportunity to sell me a new flywheel had he thought the old one had an issue.......but stranger things have happened