Cant keep my 3 speed clutch adjustment to stay

[kat]

On my 76 I have replaced the clutch bell crank (bolts to frame), the adjusting rod, the spring that goes from clutch fork to frame, and the pedal adjusting rod. And I cant get it to engage in the same 'sweet spot' every time. Meaning, I can pull out the driveway with the clutch pedal starting to engage about half way, then by the time I get in it again, its engaging closer to the floorboard and it will stay that way until I adjust it again, and it only takes a quarter turn of the jam nuts to get it right. The jam nuts on the adjusting rod doesn't seem to be backing off.
Only thing that concerns me is the eyelet on the end of the adjusting rod is bigger than what it connects to on the bell crank. I have looked to see if there is a bushing that is suppose to be there but I can't find anything.

 

[Steve83]

Grab the bottom half of the body mount under the driver's floor and see if you can turn it by hand. If so, the body is sliding around on the frame, wrecking your careful pushrod adjustments every time you turn, hit a bump, brake accelerate, or push on the clutch pedal (which lifts the body off the frame). Have an assistant push the clutch pedal while you lie underneath with your hand on the UPPER half of that body mount.

(click this text)

 

[kat]

Grab the bottom half of the body mount under the driver's floor and see if you can turn it by hand. If so, the body is sliding around on the frame, wrecking your careful pushrod adjustments every time you turn, hit a bump, brake accelerate, or push on the clutch pedal (which lifts the body off the frame). Have an assistant push the clutch pedal while you lie underneath with your hand on the UPPER half of that body mount.

(click this text)

Sorry about the taking so long to reply. But my mount is fine, no movement. I still think there needs to be some sort of bushing in the end of the adjusting rod.

 

[DirtDonk]

Another thing that happens on these, is the clutch fork pivot bracket coming loose from the bell housing inside. It can either break the rivets, or the bracket itself can snap eventually at the bend point.
Along with a stretching, and perhaps about to break clutch pedal rod, those can both add to the repeated adjustment dilemma.

Regarding the bushing, I actually did add a bushing to mine way back when. I’ll have to go look to see if it’s still there, but I remember being kind of shocked that it stayed there for so many years of daily driving.
It was just regular rubber, but because it was captured in the eyelet, it seemed to handle the forces involved.

 

[DirtDonk]

Along Steve’s advice of checking the body mount, don’t neglect to check the firewall and cowl movement as well.
It’s not the same as the forces involved in pushing the brake pedal of course, but there can still be some flex involved.

 

[Nothing Special]

You might want to check the motor mounts too. A torn motor mount will let things move around in somewhat unpredictable ways.

 

[kat]

Another thing that happens on these, is the clutch fork pivot bracket coming loose from the bell housing inside. It can either break the rivets, or the bracket itself can snap eventually at the bend point.
Along with a stretching, and perhaps about to break clutch pedal rod, those can both add to the repeated adjustment dilemma.

Regarding the bushing, I actually did add a bushing to mine way back when. I’ll have to go look to see if it’s still there, but I remember being kind of shocked that it stayed there for so many years of daily driving.
It was just regular rubber, but because it was captured in the eyelet, it seemed to handle the forces involved.

The clutch fork failing has been on my mind.

 

[Steve83]

Sorry about the taking so long to reply. But my mount is fine, no movement.

Did you watch from below while someone pushed the clutch pedal?

 

[kat]

Did you watch from below while someone pushed the clutch pedal?

Yes, no body mount movement. Every thing seems to be moving properly

 

[Steve83]

Yes, no body mount movement. Every thing seems to be moving properly

So the engine/trans/t-case didn't move, either? That would eliminate engine/trans mounts, too.

 

[kat]

So the engine/trans/t-case didn't move, either? That would eliminate engine/trans mounts, too.

Didn't look at motor/trany mounts but will try to get to it this weekend to see if there is anything moving. I have drove it and my experience with motor mounts breaking is that there will be more evidence than just the clutch not staying in adjustment for long. BUT I am keeping my mind open and will look at it.

 

[Steve83]

If they were broken, you'd have noticed the engine/trans/tcase moving when you were looking at the body mount.