Clutch

Clutch Size 6” or 6 1/2”

SteveH – Summer 2009

What size clutch does our 1950 Crosley have in it? Is it 6 1/2"? I have not pulled it yet.

HoosierCrosley – Summer 2009

Pull off the flywheel cover (if it still has one) and maybe get a measurement that way. Since it is a 50' you might have a 6 ½, but the only sure way too tell is pull it out. With a Crosley it could be either one.

ChuckK – Summer 2009

Look at the 3 forks on the pressure plate--If they have what looks like a bolt on the ends,it's 6 1/2 inch--no bolts it's 6 inch.

JimB – Summer 2009

Assuming the engine is the original.
6 1/2" Clutch switch over was at:

CD-205500

VC-20783
This was in a September 25th 1950 Service Letter Actual visual inspection inspection as Chuck described is the only safe way to be sure. Engines have been swapped, parts have been swapped, who knows.

SteveH – Summer 2009

The bottom inspection plate is still on it but there was another opening i could look up inside. The fingers are plain with no bolts. So it looks like i have a 6" clutch. Thanks for the tech info.

Clutch Disk Problems

wally_48329 11/18/01

Just had to replace the clutch in my 50 Hot Shot. One quarter had been thrown off. The disc was only wore down about half way. The spline was almost gone from the center. I don't pull hole shots, but once engaged I do wind it up pretty good any ideas? Could the wear in the spline be from a bad pilot bearing?

crosley52 11/26/01 1:51

Wally, it is possible that the wear was caused from a bad pilot bearing as it could be from a bad front transmission bearing but most probably it is from a poorly built product or the clutch was sub standard quality and just wore excessively.

chuckhk1941 11/26/01

I've seen a few that wore the center splines--most had been relined (possibly a few times)-that & a bad bushing is the possible cause. The amazing part about it is--they still ran--you can't kill them

speedoo51 11/26/01

Not considering myself an "expert" [handsome?] but I'll say what I can think of to add to previous replies... I would check alignment of bell housing to crank.. locating dia and face.

wally_48329 11/26/01 8:53 pm

Thanks for the input all. I'll order a new pilot bearing input shaft and disc for the next time it goes out. thanks, Wally

Jumpy Clutch

hoosiercrosley - 10/18/2004
Has anybody got any ideal what could be wrong with my 51' wagon?   Sometimes when I come to a stop and push the clutch pedal in it will hesatate, then jump or lurch foward. It takes off find, except for the usual clutch chatter, and shifts ok. I would apreeciate some advice before I start tearing into it to find the problem.

vinoman - 10/19/2004
Sounds like a warped fly wheel and back springs in the pressure plate. Have the fly wheel and pressure plate resurfaced. The pressure plate comes apart fairly easy.

Service Motors - 10/19/2004
I don't know if you're running a 6" or 6 1/2" clutch, but check the   pressure plate feet for cracks or breaks. This can be done in the car. I just had a customer with this problem, he kept losing his pedal freeplay and was finally down to the point the engine would stall when he came to a full stop. We see the problem on quite a few 6" pressure plate feet it's but not impossible in a 6 1/2" unit also. Also check the linkage for excessive wear & binding.

whistler - 10/19/2004 7:08
Also saw a bad pilot bushing a cause that problem. 

berk - 10/19/2004
For what it's worth.. put it up on stands, put someone with eyes and a light underneath, and see what's happening.  I can think of several causes.

Crosleydc - 10/20/2004
Check for worn and/or grooved splines on the input shaft that's not letting the disc disengage properly.

Clutch Linkage

stevie_22847 8/6/00
I would like to ask a question about the Hot Shots. My clutch linkage doesn't line up and in the parts manual it lists a spacer and longer bolts where it mounts to the transmission. Does your car have this spacer? How thick is it?

jmoskow2 8/9/00
Steve, A spacer is required between the "L" shaped clutch shaft bracket and trans. It is the same size as the bracket and measures 3/8" thick. I also suggest drilling a hole near the end of the shaft and putting in a roll pin Back it up with a washer. The reason for this is if the trans mount breaks it will help hold the shaft in position so you will not loose clutch and brake operation.

Clutch Squealing Sound

hoosiercrosley 2/15/02
I have a problem with my clutch, I have a 46' sedan, when I put it in first gear the clutch makes a squealing sound. It shifts fine and it doesn't slip, also it doesn't do it in reverse. The clutch, pressure plate and flywheel looked good when I put them in. It was fine until yesterday. I tried adjusting the clutch, it seemed to help some but still does it sometimes. I would really appreciate some help on this.

wally_48329 2/15/02
Throw-out-brg. maybe?

speedoo51 2/15/02
I think the pilot bushing [in the end of the crank] is little dry and lube and should be ok. Sometimes it goes away by itself.

hoosiercrosley 2/16/02
That sounds like that might be it. Would I have to pull the motor out, or could I just get buy by spraying some type of grease on the shaft?.

hoosiercrosley Mar 18, 2002
Thanks to everybody on the help with my squealing clutch. I put in a new pilot bushing, works great now! But now I have a sick starter. I think this Crosley loves the attention!

Clutch Fork

consolidated_box Apr 16, 2002

I was just wondering if you could help me find a new throw-out bearing fork for one of your engines, I'm not sure what kind of engine it is, but if you have any information on how to find a new one or how to fix the old one, your help will be greatly appreciated.

Jim_Bollman Apr 17, 2002

If you don't find one on this list Dave Edward's or Service Motors will have them. If it is just the small spring clips that hold the bearing in place, they are available also from I believe both of them. Their addresses and Phone numbers can be got off the clubs vendor page.

Note: There are two different style forks, one with an offset and the other straight. Offset is the later style.

Clutch Fork Styles

mcriverbug - 10/26/2002
I have a CC and the clutch fork arm is straight. There is one on e-Bay with an offset arm, what model would this be off of? My friend has one in a box of parts, and I didnt know what to tell him.

Philip Rowland - 10/26/2002
CD's and VC's, 1949-1952 used the offset arm, doing away with the clutch release cable.

bltlar - 10/26, 2002
The way I remember is if a clutch release cable, it is a straight arm. If direct, it is an offset arm.