70 Swinger over center clutch spring

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PtownDart

PtownDart

Bubba
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I saw some discussions about the over center spring. I do not have one, and my pedal is "VERY" hard to push. I do not know what type of pressure plate I have [just got car in Sept. last year ]
I am not real smart with cars , but I do not understand why a diaphragm pressure plate, is not suppose to have the spring. I would think the pedal stroke would be the same, with or without the over center spring. The clutch seems to disengage without a long push, maybe halfway to floor, but of course , you can push it to the floor. The guy who just painted my car also noted the very hard push. I did see this neat trick to help to install spring. What am I not understanding about this spring thing ?
Dodge 6 11 2022.jpg
clutch spring trick.jpg
 
The OC spring is there to help bring the clutch pedal back up off the floor when your shift is done. It does not assist with pushing the clutch to the floor. I think that's what you were saying. I may have mis-read the question.
Press clutch pedal down, the spring is extended. Let off the clutch pedal and the spring resistance pulls the pedal back to it's resting spot.
 
I think the OP is asking why the spring needs to come off in the first place with the Diaphragm. Can he put it back on to help with the heavy pedal...
 
The spring most definitely assists when pushing in the clutch just unhook the linkage from the pedal and push it in by hand just make sure you hold on to it bringing the pedal to the top is not it’s only function.
The reason the over center spring is removed when using a diaphragm plate is the
spring can overcome the lighter springs in the diaphragm plate and the pedal stays
to the floor when you release it under higher rpm’s the borg and beck plates have much stronger springs hence the reason the diaphragm has less pedal effort.
 
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jonn6464 said:
The OC spring is there to help bring the clutch pedal back up off the floor when your shift is done. It does not assist with pushing the clutch to the floor. I think that's what you were saying. I may have mis-read the question.
Press clutch pedal down, the spring is extended. Let off the clutch pedal and the spring resistance pulls the pedal back to it's resting spot.
Click to expand...
The over center spring is used to help assist in pushing the pedal . That is why when the linkage is not hooked up the pedal slams to the floor once it goes over center. You remove it for a diaphragm style because there is no centrifical weights to engage the clutch . If you have a Diaphragm clutch and you shift at High RPMs the overcenter spring will hold the pedal down until the RPM's come down.

If your pedal is hard to push you have a linkage binding issue or a Borg&Beck three finger style clutch. If you do have a B&B clutch set up you need the spring
 
Thanks guys for all the tips,,,,,

My clutch works fine,,, it is just very hard to push clutch. I guess I can put it on a hoist, and look to see what clutch is in it and see if there is a binding issue. It pushes too hard so I am thinking it does need the spring. I had a Swinger 50 years ago,,, all was fine with the clutch, then one day there was a wham and the spring fell out,,,, after the wham,, the pedal was very hard to push.As I said the clutch seems to work find,, if there was a binding issue,,, I would think the clutch would have a strange feel to it,,,,it will push hard all the way to the floor, of push hard 1/2 way,,,,it pushes smooth, just hard,,,,The fella' who painted my car just said he had a 396 Chevelle in his shop,, and the clutch pushed way easy,,,,,,,,,,I need to figure this out,, or my 71 year old leg will give out
 
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If his car has a Borg and Beck type 3-finger pressure plate, he needs all of heavy duty clutch/brake pedal assy. There is a hellva lot easier way to install that HD spring than filling it full of washers, but you have to take the frame work out of the car.
 
My body shop guy was doing some body work on my Dodge Dart, and he said we can pop that spring on for you, and they did. He said it was not fun,, he held spring stretched,,,, with washers,,,,, but they would not fall out, so he had to tap the springs out with a small punch. Clutch works easier now.

July 21 2022b.jpg
 
Sorry for bringing this up again, but I'm thoroughly confused on the topic of the OC spring after reading some of the threads. I suspect this may be related to something that I'm experiencing. My 67 with a stroked small block/4-speed has a Ram Clutches Street Dual with the aluminum flywheel. Pedal has a great feel (not hard to press) and grabs excellent (even after 10+ years). But a few times over the years, when I'm shifting very aggressively (attempted quick shifts at high RPM), the pedal will stick to floor when I try to release. Happened again yesterday. Am I understanding correctly that this spring should be removed to address that? It seems counter intuitive.

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Yes. That spring is to help pressing the pedal in for a Borg and Beck 3 finger style clutch. Not to help hold the clutch pedal up. Most manufacturers of the diaphragm clutch ask you to remove the OC spring. A friend has never removed one from his show.car T/A's and AAR's, but he barely drives them. My Centerforce would stick to the floor without the engine running. The small spring from the fork to bellhousing is important to keep the throwout bearing from the fingers.
 
The spring does indeed hold the clutch pedal up as well as assist.
 
The pedal doesn't need to be held up, as long as the spring at the clutch fork is doing its job. The clutch pedal will almost fall down on its own with the overcenter spring in. It's for the 3 finger assist.
Whatever you think it does, all cars are a little different.
 
I spoke with a buddy who also took his out of his 70 GTX and he agreed it should come out. Tried the pedal in his car and was convinced it was the right choice. After fighting with mine for days (stuffing with washer, expanding plyers, etc.. ) to no avail, finally just cut the damn thing with a small air saw. Pedal feels a little bit stiffer than before but works great. Comes all the way up on its own without any play and does not stick to the floor at high RPM. I'm happy with the results.
 
The spring is easy to remove or install, but, you have to be willing to remove the front seat, steering column and the pedal structure/frame. I can do the spring in a few seconds, either way. It really doesn't take that long to do all of it. How much time did you spend your way? The spring can hurt you trying to pry or stretch it, how do I know this? I am not trying to poke you in the eye, but this question seems to come up often. Wish that I could make a video, others have figured it out too.
Glad that you got it out!
 
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