Clutch Release Arm Question

[SCFFR]

Performed the bellhousing alignment procedure yesterday using a dial indicator and fortunately, everything looks to be in spec. However I have just a few questions before I button up everything and get the engine/trans installed.

Using the Quick Time housing, RAM Performance clutch package (#98794T) and Ford clutch lever arm. Curious if anyone else has this same combination installed in their car. From the research I did, it looks like you want to have 1/4" space between the face of the release bearing and the clutch pressure plate when the arm is in the full rear position (the arm is touching the rear edge of the opening in the bellhousing. Is this the right amount of clearance? The instructions that came with the bellhousing states to make sure there is enough room in the front of the arm so the clutch can be fully engaged but doesn’t say how much. The more I screw the pivot arm bolt out of the housing, the smaller the space between the release bearing and clutch and the more space for the arm to move forward. Just looking for some guidance so I can get this right. I definitely do not want to have to remove the engine/trans once it is installed.

Also, what keeps the release bearing from riding on the clutch? Looking at the adjustable clutch cable setup, I don’t see any type of spring to keep the arm pushed to the back of the housing.

Got the flywheel, pilot bushing and RAM clutch installed yesterday without any problems although I strongly recommend if you are starting with a new flywheel, install the pressure plate alignment dowels before you install the flywheel. They are a tight fit and it will be much easier to tap them in if the flywheel is sitting on your work bench or floor.

As always, thanks for your help.

Ron

[michael everson]

Dont know the answer to your first question, but it sounds like you have it adjusted correctly. On your second question, the throwout bearing is supposed to always have contact with the pressure plate. Just a small amount of tension on the cable to keep it from rattling.
Mike

[SCFFR]

Thanks Michael.

Not sure if the clearance is just between the fingers and release bearing or between the fingers and the bearing when the arm is all the way back in the bellhousing. In other words I guess you can get the 1/4" of clearance by adjusting the cable but the arm is not touching the back of the housing opening.

The instructions with the RAM clutch state that for an arm with the pivot on the passenger side, the arm should be angled toward the rear of the car when the bearing is just touching the fingers. The only way to get this is to back the pivot bolt about 3/8-1/2" out of the housing.

[SCFFR]

Would really appreciate some help with this clearance issue. Just want to make sure I've got the arm adjusted correctly before I get the TKO-600 installed.

Thanks

[SCFFR]

Let me ask the same question a different way.............

How much arm travel is required to engage/disengage clutch? I played with the pivot bolt yesterday and got the arm positioned where there is 1/4" of space between the release bearing and the clutch fingers when the arm is completely to the rear of the bell housing (Quick Time). When the arm is moved forward and is just touching the clutch fingers, there is 2 1/8" of space between the front of the arm and the front opening in the bellhousing. I measured the total amount of travel available on the clutch cable and it is 2" so it looks like I have enough free forward travel on the arm available.

Any thing I'm missing before I bolt everything together??

Thanks