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clutch adjustment?

The only mechanical-type thing that I don't love about my cougar is the clutch. I have to put it right, right to the floor to shift. I have to nearly stand on it to start the car. Is there an adjustment for that?
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
'86 cougar xr-7 2.3 L turbo

clutch adjustment?

Reply #1 –
no
1979 Ford Fairmont
[/B]
5.0L/4R70W/8.8"/5-lug/3" Exhuast

clutch adjustment?

Reply #2 –
I once read the owner's manual for my '86 XR-7. It claimed you could put the tip of your foot underneath the clutch pedal, pull up until you hear a click, then depress it to the floor. This would perform the adjustment and remove any slack in the cable.
I tried it and it didn't seem to do anything.

I recently drove an '86 Mustang GT (cable clutch) and its clutch engaged about 1/2" from the floor. I tried the same technique on the Mustang and it, too, didn't seem to have an effect.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

clutch adjustment?

Reply #3 –
I don't have an owner's manual but I'll try it to see if it does anything on my car.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
'86 cougar xr-7 2.3 L turbo

clutch adjustment?

Reply #4 –
Have fun. Report back as soon as it's done.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

clutch adjustment?

Reply #5 –
convert it to a hydralic setup from an 87-88 tc.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

clutch adjustment?

Reply #6 –
Quote
convert it to a hydralic setup from an 87-88 tc.

Yeah, or don't.

An aftermarket quadrant and firewall adjuster will let you adjust for a little of that but for the most part, that's as it should be. My clutch is fully engaged about 2-2.5" from the floor.
:america: 1988 Thunderbird Sport, Former 4.6 DOHC T56 conversion project.

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Halfbreed... Mango Orange Y2K Mustang GT
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nada

Reply #7 –
Well, the toe-under-the-pedal trick didn't do anything on my car, either. I couldn't even pull it up any further than it was with my hands. *shrug* oh well. I've driven a lot of standards and you have to drive them all individually. I'll get used to it I'm sure. A little softer clutch would have been nice but I'll live.

Before I bought the cougar, I'd been driving my bf's jeep yj. The gear shift was 2 ft long and I had to lean sideways to reach 5th.
The cougar's gear pattern is a touch tighter.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
'86 cougar xr-7 2.3 L turbo

clutch adjustment?

Reply #8 –
the factory quadrant is self-adjusting. try pushing the pedal to the floor, then sliding your foot off of it so it pops back up. do that a few times.
1979 Ford Fairmont
[/B]
5.0L/4R70W/8.8"/5-lug/3" Exhuast

clutch adjustment?

Reply #9 –
Mine does that as well (pedal has to be all the way to the floor). I don't like it either, and this winter I will be taking the pedals back out and seeing if I can modify it somehow. Mine is so close that if there was a floor mat there it wouldn't disengage at all (and I mean a THIN floor mat).
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣
 

clutch adjustment?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: cougarcragar;282511
I once read the owner's manual for my '86 XR-7. It claimed you could put the tip of your foot underneath the clutch pedal, pull up until you hear a click, then depress it to the floor. This would perform the adjustment and remove any slack in the cable.

Yes you have it sorta correct. They do have an auto adjusting cable in these cars and in Mustangs. They Auto adjust for clutch disc wear. The pull up on the pedal should let you pull the cable freely at the tranny end. At least that is how I've always used it. Sometimes mine will make the "click" sound and sometimes it won't. I can say I have done it driving down the road and it didn't seem to do anything. So if anything get you a helper have one pull up on the clutch pedal and the other pull the cable end at the tranny. See if that doesn't help. Might have to work the pedal a few times to get back in the notch it hooks in. That should help catch point height. Then there is a Clutch/starter safety switch up there that is activated when you press the pedal so the car will start. Maybe yours is worn, dirty, needs some adjustment. Like the brake light switch it is probably adjustable to make it work with only the pedal pressed this far. So crawl under there with a light and see what you can find.

Stuckman
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
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