101 Jr. clutch adjustment problems

stevieb49829

Well-known Member
I've put together a 1944 Massey Harris 101 Jr., basically from parts. I don't have any personal experience with the tractor running, and don't know if the clutch worked when the PO had it. There was a new clutch attached to the original Continental F162, so I put that back in, on the original flywheel, with original bellhousing and clutch linkage. When I push in the clutch pedal, I go through the free play and come up against a brick wall. There is about 3/8 to1/2 inch of travel on the throw-out bearing before it engages the fingers. I pulled the bottom cover from the bellhousing, and it looks like the clutch fingers are really deep into the pressure plate, not allowing any more travel to release the clutch. Is something put together incorrectly? Is this the wrong pressure plate? Disc in backwards? Could I shim between the pressure plate and the flywheel at the bolts to gain some travel, so it disengages? I read quite a while back that there may be shims supplied with some of these clutch packages. Any suggestions are much appreciated. steve

Here's a pic of the throw-out bearing sitting on the fingers, without any pressure. I'm thinking the fingers are usually higher up out of the clutch?
101 clutch problem.jpg
 
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I’m not 100% sure but I don’t think the fingers are sticking out of the pressure plate far enough. Is it because it’s the wrong pressure plate or clutch disc or something else I’m sorry Steve but I’m not much help. Hope you get it sorted out.
 
I fixed it. I don't know what it was, but I unbolted the bearing carrier at the bellhousing, slipped the driveshaft back a ways, and pulled on the clutch pedal. It moved like it should, so I tentatively bolted the carrier back up, it still worked, releasing the clutch disc. Now if I can just get the transmission sprocket back out on the shaft to where it matches up with the driveshaft sprocket, from where I hammered it to get it out of the way, I'll be home free. I suspect the clutch is right at the edge of the tolerances with a new disc, and the fingers will move out some as the disc wears in a bit. steve
 
I took it for a jaunt today. Had to tweak on the governor linkage to make it slow down, and I almost took off with only 2 nuts holding each of the front wheels on. The radiator puked water a couple times before the system settled down. I have to put the brake pedals back on because it rolls way too easily. And finish painting the hood, and primer the fenders, and cut apart the screwed up drawbar bracket to rebuild it, and paint the chassis, and clean off, paint and reinstall the steering column, replace the steering wheel, buy a muffler, and, and, and,. It'll be done by spring, but I'm not saying what year. steve
 
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I took it for a jaunt today. Had to tweak on the governor linkage to make it slow down, and I almost took off with only 2 nuts holding each of the front wheels on. The radiator puked water a couple times before the system settled down. I have to put the brake pedals back on because it rolls way too easily. And finish painting the hood, and primer the fenders, and cut apart the screwed up drawbar bracket to rebuild it, and paint the chassis, and clean off, paint and reinstall the steering column, replace the steering wheel, buy a muffler, and, and, and,. It'll be done by spring, but I'm not saying what year. steve
They can be a long term project for sure. Can’t wait to see the finished project.
 

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