E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything?

Posted By: Steve Bryant

E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 12:42 AM

So I am switching from Auto to Manual in my 70 'Cuda and I just installed a new clutch spring and it appears to do very little. It certainly does not keep the pedal up.

I have three theories but no experience to know which is more likely; 1) This spring is damaged and not as tight as it should be or 2) The spring doesn't hold the pedal up and doesn't really do much. 3) I don't have the spring installed correctly.

Any ideas?

Attached picture 8025333-spring.jpg

Posted By: 5spdcuda

Re: E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 01:08 AM

This is the overcenter spring. When installed correctly it provides mechanical assist to push the clutch in and also holds the pedal up when the clutch is released. If you're installing a Borg &Beck or Long type clutch you should use it. If you're installing a diaphragm type many will advise you to remove it. I don't. The overcenter spring will work just fine and result in a light pedal feel IF you also install a positive and preferably adjustable pedal stop. Diaphragm clutches are basically big Belleville washers and can be overcentered which results in the pedal sticking to the floor at high rpms. The positive stop eliminates this problem. If you choose to remove it you will have to rig up some sort of return spring in order to keep the throw out bearing from riding on the clutch fingers when the clutch is engaged.

Posted By: mopar346

Re: E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 01:16 AM

Mine definitely has some good tension on it, infact if you press to far it goes over center and pulls it down to the floor (with no clutch linkage attached). Yours is installed the same way mine is/was. Cant imagine the spring being that stretched but I guess it's possible, I currently have 5 4 speed Mopars and none of them have weak springs.

Posted By: Dan Brewer

Re: E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 05:41 AM

The coil closest to the driver looks damaged. Do you have a pic from a different angle?

Posted By: TooMany62s

Re: E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 02:50 PM

Is the complete clutch assembly and all the linkage installed or just the pedal? With only the pedal installed it doesn't return to the full up position. When depressed without linkage and clutch assembly the spring will snap the pedal to the floor.

Posted By: tx9cuda

Re: E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 03:04 PM

Quote:

The coil closest to the driver looks damaged. Do you have a pic from a different angle?

Dont know if it is causing a problem or not, but I agree that spring is damaged. Would have taken something bad to bend a coil like that.

Posted By: Steve Bryant

Re: E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 04:38 PM

Only the pedal is installed so if I push the pedal down about 1/4 to 1/3 down it will snap to the floor. If I lift it with my hand as I get close to the top position it will snap up

Posted By: KillerBee

Re: E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 04:41 PM

Quote:

Only the pedal is installed so if I push the pedal down about 1/4 to 1/3 down it will snap to the floor. If I lift it with my hand as I get close to the top position it will snap up

If you don't have the clutch or any of the clutch linkage installed that's exactly what you will have.

Posted By: Steve Bryant

Re: E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 04:42 PM

To be honest, I think I accidentally put that bend in there. I was trying to stretch the spring so add some washers to make the installation easier and then I noticed the kink in the spring.

Posted By: KillerBee

Re: E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 04:46 PM

Quote:

To be honest, I think I accidentally put that bend in there. I was trying to stretch the spring so add some washers to make the installation easier and then I noticed the kink in the spring.

That might cause issues with the pedal returning properly.

If you have the spring installed I would try it when you get the rest of the clutch setup installed and adjusted properly.

If you have problems you can buy a new spring.

http://www.brewersperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=OCS922

Posted By: Steve Bryant

Re: E-Body Clutch Spring - Doesn't seem to do anything? - 02/04/14 04:47 PM

Excellent! I really appreciate the responses. Even though the spring has a little kink, it looks like it is working as it should so I am going to call this part of the project complete and move on.