stuck clutch

bobhager4

My 28 Essex super six hasn't been on the road for about 20 years and the clutch seems to be stuck in a forward gear. How do I loosen it .Also,  is their a formula for Hudson clutch fluid.

Thanks,  Bob

Jon B

Why bother with a formula when you can purchase the real thing from Doug Wildrick?

As to the stuck clutch, you may be able to unstick it with a solvent "cocktail".  Someone will jump in here and give you the latest recipe, I'm sure.  Just remove the plug on your flywheel and pour it in, replace plug, rotate engine to slosh it around, and then let it sit for a day or so.  Slosh again, and so forth, constantly testing to see if the clutch has come unstuck yet.

46HudsonPU

Hi Bob,

Welcome to the 'Open Forum'! 

Good to have you.  I'm sure you'll find a wealth of information here. I am sure that others will also comment on your initial inquiry as well.

You may also want to visit the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club website, and consider joining that Club - Members come for the cars, and stick around because of the great folks there!

We hope you enjoy your time here at the Hudson Essex Terraplane 'Open Forum' -

Kdancy

here is a page I found when researching cork clutches--
http://www.billdavis.org/MGTA/Cork.html

BillUSN1

I just unstuck my 49 by setting the rear end on jack stands and starting the engine in gear with the clutch pushed in. Then hit the gas a few times till it popped loose.

Geoff

There are fundamental differences between your 1928 Essex clutch and the ones shown in the article on Morris cars, and also the later models from 1930 onwards.   You cannot actually drain your clutch, as the bung is above the lowest level, so to empty your clutch you have to have a suction gun and a flexible tube.  The corks will be stuck to the flywheel, and you may have to dismantle to unstick.

Lee ODell

What is the best way to remove a stuck clutch from an engine that has been out of a car for years.? I've seen a lot of info about unsticking clutches while still in car with clutch pedal pushed in to release pressure plate tension and cleaner solutions but being out of car must presents different removal solutions.

What solution has anyone found that works.

Lee O'Dell

ken1962

You could pour in kerosene and let it sit for a while.- that should work.
Its a trick my dad's being using since the 1950's. Also no need to get the special Hudson clutch fluid. Any transmission
fluid for pre 1986's fords will do. My 1936 T runs on the stuff just fine. Once unstuck, always jam a small length of wood plank between the clutch pedal and the steering wheel shaft support under the dash will keep the clutch apart until the next time you want to drive the car.  Good luck I pray you don't have dry brittle cork - which is beyond help after 20 years

Uncle Josh

I unstuck my Jeep truck by contacting a tree (at low speed) in high gear. Probably not the recommended solution as the Jeep is so rugged ya can't hurt it.

Lee ODell

I apologize for not making my request clearer.
The engine & trans is setting on a cart not in a car.

I can put kerosene in the clutch but how do I release the clutch to free up the corks while rotating the engine.

Lee O'Dell

Geoff

 You will have to wedge the lever  forward to release the clutch. However, seeing it is out of the car why not just take it to pieces. Only half an hours work at the most. 

Uncle Josh

I concur. That way you can check whether it has any corks at all, like Green's 37 Terraplane Doodlebug didn't. You can then check and/or adjust the fingers, maybe take the pressure plate apart and clean the gunge out etc.

BTW, the Doodlebug was still working due to very little torque on it because of the 4-speed Ford tranny behind the Terraplane 3-speed. 13 Speeds ahead and 'holes bored for more' as Al Moyle the auctioneer used to say.

Lee ODell

After taking apart and the cork is still stuck to pressure plate and or the flywheel, do you use a sharp putty knife to cut loose?

Thanks for your help. My first fluid clutch work.

Lee O'Dell

Uncle Josh

Yup, and use solvent..save all the cork you can. It might be re-usable.

Frankvintagefullflowcom

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if it has been under pressure for that long, the likelihood of successfully releasing it without damage is pretty much nil. Just the act of depressing the clutch pedal (realizing that you don't have that option) will move the pressure plate away from the flywheel, pulling off pieces of the stuck corks as it goes. You do have the advantage of having the whole thing more accessible since it's out of the car. My prediction is that you'll just have to bite the bullet and take it apart for a proper repair/replacement.

SuperDave

Just be careful not to bend the plate while prying it off. If it's warped, it can't be rebuilt.

DonB

I want to remove my clutch disc, have removed the trans. now how do you get the disc off, ??? Thanks Don B

Uncle Josh

Take the cover off (alternate bolt loosening side to side top to bottom etc.) The Pressure plate will come with it (maybe) and the disk will probably be stuck to the flywheel.  Put some acetone, carbochlor, sea foam etc between the disk and the flywheel, let soak for a day or so and carefully scrape the corks from the flywheel with a  sharp wide putty knife.

It may come loose with most of the corks, and it may not.