Soft Lock Air Gap Peoblem???

Notch1320 · 11-10-2007, 08:52 AM

I have a brand new .330 disc soft lock in my 88 mustang stocker, and I can't get enough air gap.

No matter what I do, I only get about .035. I have an adj. cable, pedal stop, firewall adjuster, and have played with the pivot fork, and the McLeod adjustable throw out bearing spacers.

I have had the assembly in and out of the car at least 50 times trying different adjustments with the same .035 gap. Any suggestions?

McLeod Tech told me the only thing it could be is that I had the disc in backwards, but I just tore it back apart to verify it, and the clutch hub is towards the trans. This is my first solid hub disc... there is only a slight difference in either side of the disc. Any ideas here?

JHeath · 11-10-2007, 11:21 AM

Was the pressure plate set up for a .280 thick disc? If so, you will need to put .050 of shims between the flywheel and pressure plate.

Rory McNeil · 11-10-2007, 12:41 PM

I have Soft Loks in both my Ford drag cars, and both units were shipped with .280" thick discs, as were any replacement discs.Did you buy the clutch as a complete assembly? You may have been shipped the wrong disc. Also, I assume that you are using McLeods necked down clutch fork and an adjustable ball pivot, correct? Even though the 5.0 Mustang uses a fairly deep bellhousing, the packaging is very tight, due to the fork running to the passenger side pivot ball, plus the Soft Loks "Long" style pressure plate is considerably taller than the stock diagphram clutch. On my Mustang it was a juggling act to get the adjustable pivot in far enough without hitting the pressure plate. I am also using the "special" wide face throw out bearing. One other thing to watch when you get this all sorted out, is that when the disc gets thinner from wear, you may find that the fork will bottom out against the scattershields window, which will cause the clutch to slip, regardless of how much pressure you give it. I have had this happen with both the Lakewood as well as my curent McLeod scattershield.

Notch1320 · 11-10-2007, 10:25 PM

The clutch was brand new from McLeod and the flywheel was also through them. It is a 11" clutch assembly. The disc is a .330

I am running a Doug Nash 5 speed, and am using a Lakewood 15201 bellhousing. The trans input shaft is shorter that what most SBF guys are running, and this requires the use of the 15201 vs. the more commonly used 15202 bellhousing. I have fought, and solved all the clearance issues associated with the fork geometry as far as clearancing to avoid the fork contacting the trans, pressure plate, and bellhousing window during clutch actuation. I am also forced to space my starter out the thickness of 5 ARP washers in order for it to engage properly. I haven't had any isues with the starter at all running these washers to space the starter forward the required amount.

I honestly think that I am to the point of buying a new bellhousing (15202) and installing a longer input shaft in the trans. This combination has been a disaster trying to figure out.

Earle Holt · 11-11-2007, 08:28 AM

First of all Shawn, I feel your pain. The process of getting these things right can really make you question your sanity.

I've used the same bellhousing through all of my different transmissions...toploader, Jerico and now G-Force. The last time I put everything together, I ran into the same problem you are having and had to use two shims on the throwout bearing, which solved the issue. I'm using the McLeod adj. throwout bearing.

Hope this helps...and don't consider just playing golf like everyone else!

-Earle

Jim Parsons · 11-11-2007, 10:12 AM

I agree, sounds like the cover is for a .280 thick Disc. I have a. 330 in my stocker but had to add .050 AN washers under the cover bolts to get the set up right. I sure would give it a try brfore I bought any thing else.

11-10-2007, 08:52 AM	#1
Notch1320 Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Yuba City, CA Posts: 220 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Soft Lock Air Gap Problem??? I have a brand new .330 disc soft lock in my 88 mustang stocker, and I can't get enough air gap. No matter what I do, I only get about .035. I have an adj. cable, pedal stop, firewall adjuster, and have played with the pivot fork, and the McLeod adjustable throw out bearing spacers. I have had the assembly in and out of the car at least 50 times trying different adjustments with the same .035 gap. Any suggestions? McLeod Tech told me the only thing it could be is that I had the disc in backwards, but I just tore it back apart to verify it, and the clutch hub is towards the trans. This is my first solid hub disc... there is only a slight difference in either side of the disc. Any ideas here? __________________ Shawn Allsup K/S 718 Last edited by Notch1320; 11-10-2007 at 10:16 PM.

11-10-2007, 11:21 AM	#2
JHeath Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 786 Likes: 2,876 Liked 370 Times in 101 Posts	Re: Soft Lock Air Gap Peoblem??? Was the pressure plate set up for a .280 thick disc? If so, you will need to put .050 of shims between the flywheel and pressure plate.

11-10-2007, 12:41 PM	#3
Rory McNeil VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: from Vancouver BC Canada, now in Nova Scotia Posts: 1,311 Likes: 319 Liked 1,106 Times in 303 Posts	Re: Soft Lock Air Gap Peoblem??? I have Soft Loks in both my Ford drag cars, and both units were shipped with .280" thick discs, as were any replacement discs.Did you buy the clutch as a complete assembly? You may have been shipped the wrong disc. Also, I assume that you are using McLeods necked down clutch fork and an adjustable ball pivot, correct? Even though the 5.0 Mustang uses a fairly deep bellhousing, the packaging is very tight, due to the fork running to the passenger side pivot ball, plus the Soft Loks "Long" style pressure plate is considerably taller than the stock diagphram clutch. On my Mustang it was a juggling act to get the adjustable pivot in far enough without hitting the pressure plate. I am also using the "special" wide face throw out bearing. One other thing to watch when you get this all sorted out, is that when the disc gets thinner from wear, you may find that the fork will bottom out against the scattershields window, which will cause the clutch to slip, regardless of how much pressure you give it. I have had this happen with both the Lakewood as well as my curent McLeod scattershield. __________________ NHRA 6390 STK M/S 85 Mustang

11-10-2007, 10:25 PM	#4
Notch1320 Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Yuba City, CA Posts: 220 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Soft Lock Air Gap Peoblem??? The clutch was brand new from McLeod and the flywheel was also through them. It is a 11" clutch assembly. The disc is a .330 I am running a Doug Nash 5 speed, and am using a Lakewood 15201 bellhousing. The trans input shaft is shorter that what most SBF guys are running, and this requires the use of the 15201 vs. the more commonly used 15202 bellhousing. I have fought, and solved all the clearance issues associated with the fork geometry as far as clearancing to avoid the fork contacting the trans, pressure plate, and bellhousing window during clutch actuation. I am also forced to space my starter out the thickness of 5 ARP washers in order for it to engage properly. I haven't had any isues with the starter at all running these washers to space the starter forward the required amount. I honestly think that I am to the point of buying a new bellhousing (15202) and installing a longer input shaft in the trans. This combination has been a disaster trying to figure out. __________________ Shawn Allsup K/S 718

11-11-2007, 08:28 AM	#5
Earle Holt Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 194 Likes: 1 Liked 4 Times in 1 Post	Re: Soft Lock Air Gap Peoblem??? First of all Shawn, I feel your pain. The process of getting these things right can really make you question your sanity. I've used the same bellhousing through all of my different transmissions...toploader, Jerico and now G-Force. The last time I put everything together, I ran into the same problem you are having and had to use two shims on the throwout bearing, which solved the issue. I'm using the McLeod adj. throwout bearing. Hope this helps...and don't consider just playing golf like everyone else! -Earle __________________ Earle Holt 1055 Stock

11-11-2007, 10:12 AM	#6
Jim Parsons Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Kearney Mo Posts: 200 Likes: 433 Liked 197 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Soft Lock Air Gap Peoblem??? I agree, sounds like the cover is for a .280 thick Disc. I have a. 330 in my stocker but had to add .050 AN washers under the cover bolts to get the set up right. I sure would give it a try brfore I bought any thing else.