VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 40 clutch chatter problem

OK I just got my 40 master deluxe with 38k original miles but there is a sometimes strong chatter if you try and release it to quickly. If you let it out slowly and when the car is rolling a little you can then let the clutch out fully and then accelerate..motor mounts are good but don't know much else.I talked to an awesome gentleman in regards to something else and he said that this is pretty commonplace in these cars. I hope that there is some type of adjustment or other trouble shooting advice someone will have...Thanks in advance....David

Hi Dave,

You might want to post your question in the ”˜37 - ”˜41 forum. More people that have the knowledge you need will see it there. I was surprised to see it in the Radio, Tools, and Accessories forum.

Hi dwpnomad

Two things come to mind.

First, you might want to search up information regarding the rearmost engine mount.
I believe that even if the mount is in good condition, the mount must be located correctly to maintain forward and aft clearances between the engine/transmission and the frame cross member. If the clearance isn't right, according to some old literature I have, clutch chatter can result.
I think I may have come across this in my Chevrolet service bulletins.
Others here will know more about this than I do.

Second, oil and grease on the clutch plate will make a clutch chatter as well. Especially if it's old and dried up. Often makes the clutch jumpy or grabby as well.

Sorry for the mis-post. Someone started a new thread with the same title.

There are many potential causes for clutch chatter. Motor and transmission mounts are a good place to start. The clearance in the transmission mount is important. Check your shop manual.

Wear anywhere in the clutch linkage and especially the clutch arm pivot could cause this problem.

You might be able to spot the problem if you remove the lower cover from the bell housing and inspect the clutch assembly.

Almost any other cause will require that you remove the transmission so you can access the clutch assembly and flywheel. Then you can look for things such as a weak diaphragm spring in the pressure plate, a worn disc, or warped surfaces on the flywheel and pressure plate.

Hi David

I posted an update to my above post over here:
https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/453936/re-40-clutch-chatter-problem.html#Post453936

It may not help you out, but you might be interested in the service bulletin I attached to that post.

Thanks to all of you for your help!!
Thanks Rusty and Ole.Hey Ole I live in Peru Indiana and Their was an actor with the same name that haled from here, any relation?

Worn out clutch disc or oil on it and or weak diaphragm (sp).

Might as well spring for a new disc and cover (with new diaphragm) and have the flywheel and pressure plate turned at the machine shop.

This is not to say that any of the fore-mentioned suggestions don't have merit. They do but doing what I suggested plus a new transmission mount will likely be what you end up having to do.

Good luck with it,

Best,

Charlie

BTW: You may want to try slipping the clutch so as to burn off any oil that is causing/contributing to the problem and see if that helps.

Hi dwpnomad

My family goes back to southern Minnesota, and before that Norway/Sweden directly, so I don't think I'm related to the actor.
And, my wife says sometimes I act badly , so probably not. :-)

Ole

PS
Did you get rid of the chatter?