'65 - Clutch Chatter - Update

[geordie]

The saga continues, trying to resolve the ‘clutch chatter’ problems on my modified ’65. Refer back to ’65 Mustang – Clutch Chatter – Action Plan for details.

I took the car to a shop for an opinion on the problem and they diagnosed a new concern. The drive shaft was too long, over and inch and a half, leaving no clearance for engine to rear end movement. The universal joints were shot as well. The drive shaft was shortened and the universal joints replaced. The ‘banging’ and ‘clunking’ sounds from under the center of the car, which could be heard on pull-away have all but gone. But, unfortunately the clutch chatter and engine vibration, returned within a day or two. However, an improvement has been made.

Further improvement, that is too say, reduction in shudder was made when I tuned the engine for the first time since I bought the car six months ago. Gapped the plugs, replaced the dual points, condenser, rotor arm and distributor cap, checked the dwell angle and timed the engine. Again some improvement, but I haven’t solved the problem yet.

Fuel pump packed in last week and had to be replaced. Planning on returning the car to the shop to investigate the clutch itself within the next few days. Maybe the overlong drive shaft was the route cause of the problem, and has led to some clutch damage that has yet to be fixed.

I haven’t worked out which kind of engine mounts my car has yet. I understand that the original ’65 style aggravated clutch chatter and these were re-designed in ’66. Does anyone have any advice to give on how to do this short of comparing what I’ve got with the NPD catalogue?

Additional comments welcome…….