'65 Mustang - Pull Away Problems

[PKRWUD]

geordie-
C'mon man, if you want help, you have to stop being so vague!

Seriously, geordie, that was perhaps the most thorough, detailed account I have seen in the 2.5 years I've been here. You must be a Brit.

I was also convinced it was a problem with the flywheel surface, until I read your reply to 66StangGuy. You mention not being able to exceed 900 rpms, or else the shuddering will occur. That is pretty much the opposite of what happens with a bad flywheel. When it's bad, the only way to pull away smoothly is to over-rev the engine.

Then, in the middle of missingpony's reply, a light came on. I think he is exactly right as far as the motor mount being your problem, but not just for the noise, but for the shuddering, too. It would explain why the pilot bearing was egg shaped, and why there is no shuddering while downshifting (the engine torque would be in the opposite direction during compression braking, which is what happens when you downshift, and the compression inside the engine is actually slowing the vehicle down). Also, when making a right hand turn, the g-force would be helping the engine to rock from passenger side to driver side, just enough to cause your "bumps", whereas the g-force applied during left hand turns would keep the engine planted. Lastly, if the engine and transmission are not completely secure, the clutch linkage, which mounts to the block, could become askew.

The thing that I don't understand is how the clutch disc was only worn on half of it's surface. The disc spins, so it should wear evenly.

This is starting to fall into place. I feel pretty good about the odds that you will find that your right (passenger) side motor mount is damaged. It really sounds like the transmission is mounted very securely, but the engine is not. This can and will lead to a broken bellhousing, or even engine block, where they bolt together.

Please keep me posted, as I am finding this one pretty exciting.

Take care,
-Chris

P.S.- When you say the car runs better with the choke out, do you mean with the choke applied, or with it off?

P.P.S.- Where are you from?