Overcentering Clutch 1965 327/365

[Joe C.]

On returning home last night from a local "cruise night", I decided to throw a "hard" shift at about 6000 RPM. There was a slight delay until engagement with an audible "bang" or "clunk".
I was told last year that this is a condition called "clutch overcentering". What I did was, to increase the clutch free play from 1/2" to 1 1/2". At the time, I thought that I had it solved, so I am surprised that it happened last night.
I don't like to treat my baby rough, but on rare occasion, it is hard to resist. Was this a common condition? Is there anything else that I can do, other than "putting a block of wood under the clutch pedal"? Is this, in fact "overcentering", or could it be something else?
The pressure plate/disc is a standard duty Borg Warner set.
Thanks in advance.

Joe

[Clem Z.]

adjusting the cutch to prevent overcentering

the best way to adjust a clutch is to raise the rear wheels off of the floor,put the trans in gear,have someone try to to turn the rear wheels while someone SLOWLY pushes in the clutch. as soon as they can turn the rear wheels check the distance from the floor of the clutch pedal and install a "stop" to prevent pushing the clutch in any farther and "overcentering " the diaphram

[george romano]

Re: adjusting the cutch to prevent overcentering

Also check for broken motor mounts and trans mount. Could cause the same situation under high torque.

George

[Mike McKown]

Clem's way will work

I never liked the feel of a clutch with of lot a free play which will also work. I kept my clutch adjusted with very little free play and all I had to do was just tap it for high rpm shifts. The pedal stroke was easier to control for me with most of the free play out of the pedal.

In any case, your ofjective is to try and not overstroke the clutch pressure plate.

[mike cobine]

Re: Clem's way will work

Check your Z-bar. If it is installed upside down, it changes the levarage and the distance of movement. I believe the long arm should be on top to the clutch pedal. The short arm is on bottom to the clutch fork. This gives you the greater leverage (easier pedal).

Has your clutch pedal been hard? Need a tree trunk for a left leg?