And now for a different kind of question

[jlaird]

My clutch pedel engages/disengages way up at the top of its travel.

How do I get it down a bit? Shorten the slave cylinder rod?

I seem to have lots of rods in many different lengths maybe I used one that was the wrong length.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Larger bore slave would make the pedal softer and engage further down. Whatever you do, you need to make sure you aren't "over throwing" your clutch.

 

[Morris]

What is "over throwing" the clutch?

 

[Atrus]

T'd think that he means disengaging the clutch too far. If the clutch normally disengages at 1/2 pedal travel, and jack's is at 1/4 pedal travel, then when jack puts his pedal to the floorboard his clutch is traveling 25% father than a normal one.

I know, overly simplistic answer, but that's what I understand it to mean.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Yes that is what I mean. You wouldn't notice anything wrong until the clutch diaphragm wears out.

 

[bugimike]

Jack, I do believe the solution to the problem is in the rod length or length adjustment!!

Interestingly, none of my literature seems to have precise figures for pedal travel, free play, etc. I have always relied on "feel" and adjusted accordingly!

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I forgot that the pedal is adjustable on the early cars. Where is the pedal when in the up position and how much adjustment do you have on the MC push rod?

I'm thinking maybe a shorter slave push rod is in order unless the pedal is REALLY hard to depress.

 

[bugimike]

Typically at the rod there is .5" - 1" of adjustment that translates to significant changes at the pedal!

 

[regularman]

I think I am overthrowing my datsun pressure plate with this new 5 speed setup. Pedal gets hard before I reach the bottom. I need to crawl under and back off on that rod.

 

[jlaird]

Boy, you guys got me confused.

There are two adjustmens on a BE. The length of the slave cylinder rod which is a remove and replace with a differnt length one and the master cylinder push rod to the clutch pedal.

Now which way is which longer adjustment on master cylinder vs shorter length. I always thought this adjustment was just for pedal height so both could be the same, brake and clutch?

And the real adjustment is in the length of the slave rod length?

Now which way do I go with which when pedal disengages clutch up high, I would like it about half way I think.

 

[bugimike]

I think the length at the pushrod at the slave is the critical one for proper operation. Adjustments at the master pushrod will adjust the pedal height AFTER the slave rod is determined to be the right length! Either way, the critical thing is to have the right free-play when the clutch is not engaged!

 

[jlaird]

I think so as well, but does it need to be longer or shorter?

Answers:

1) Longer

2) Shorter

Just can't seem to get my old brain around this. Been thinking on it for weeks.

 

[Bugeye58]

Shorter, Jack, as you want to increase the effective travel of the slave cylinder before actuating the clutch.
Jeff

 

[bugimike]

I would also say shorter if, as you say, your pedal is way too high. If it is shorter, the pedal will travel a bit more before the slave is actuated!

 

[jlaird]

Okies, that was my answer as well. But needed a few more minds on it.