I recently acquired a 1957 Model 50. I have a question about the clutch and transmission. As purchased the clutch has a solid pressure plate. Looking at the parts book, it shows an adjustable pressure plate with the center screw adjustment. It also has a two-piece clutch rod whereas the parts book shows a single piece rod. Did the solid vs adjustable pressure plate have different length rods? I have an adjustable pressure plate but when installed the mushroom tip comes right to the back of the plate, leaving no room for adjustment. The transmission case number is 040122. Thanks for any assistance rendered.
Laydown or "AMC" ?
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The laydown box cannot be…
The laydown box cannot be mistaken for the AMC box. It has a totally different external shape. It has the same clutch release mechanism as the doll's head box. The cable pulls a lever thar rotates a rod with a helical thread thar moves in to push a short rid and the mushroom as you show. I've no idea of numbers but it sounds like you might have a mixture of parts. Can you show a picture of the box?
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It's easy enough..
.. to make a clutch pushrod out of silver steel with the ends oil hardened (heat to dull red then quench in used engine oil). They're often in 2 parts with a ball bearing between them which may (or may not) reduce friction.
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Yes thats an AMC box, and…
Yes thats an AMC box, and yes it should have an adjustable pressure plate, easily found at autojumbles etc, I even think the ones for the lightweights (250/350/400) are the same (but would need to check) My bikes have a single rod, but there’s no reason why it couldn’t be in two parts so long as the length is right.
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More to it than just changing the pressure plate.....
Consult parts drawings for the two different clutches and you'll see what I mean. Would be nice to find a complete AMC clutch. Overall much better.
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The Laydown box didn't need an adjuster on the pressure plate. The "AMC" box with the crude cam and ball actuator did. If you have an AMC box (correct for '57 ?) then you'll need some means of taking up free-play. The adjustable pressure plate doesn't use the mushroom.