North American Turbocoupe Organization



Clutch diagnosis question
fizzerman Offline
Junior Member
#1
I've got an '88 TC with the 5 sp., belongs to my son, actually but doesn't get driven much, mostly in storage. Getting ready to sell it, and I've had two different mechanics check it out for a slipping clutch.

One says the clutch slips, the other says no. I haven't had the problem before, so kind of unsure about putting money into the car without being sure.

Symptoms, feels like normal in first, but in second gear, about 3500-4000, feels like it is running out of power. Rpm doesn't really flare fast, just keeps going but not pulling strong. Same thing in 3rd gear.

Had to put in a new fuel pump this Spring, did not make any difference, either. By the way, the original owner said he replaced the OEM clutch at 60k, car has 122k on it now. I am pretty sure he put in a factory clutch as he was a Ford tech.

Are there any other ideas for diagnosing this clutch?

Thanks for any help.
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#2
1. A clutch always slips most noticeably in the top gears first, ie 5th and 4th, as more power is applied.

When you step on the gas and the rpms rise but the speedo doesn't go up - that's clutch slippage.

What you describe doesn't sound like clutch, at least the clutch isn't your only problem.
Why did you replace the pump and did anyone check fuel pressures afterwards?

When was the last time it was tuned up and what tuneup parts are in it. Tune up needs to be good before going onto much other diagnosis.
There is plenty of past posts on what parts to use and you can look up plug wires and spark plugs in this forum:
http://natomessageboard.com/ultimatebb.p...forum;f=12

I would check the cam timing and then ignition timing as part of a tune up:
http://www.turbotbird.com/techinfo/CamTi...t%20Up.htm

Next I would run the fuel system diagnostics, as described here:
http://www.turbotbird.com/techinfo/Fuel_...ostics.htm

Let us know what you find.
Pete Dunham


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fizzerman Offline
Junior Member
#3
The fuel pump was replaced because it was failing, barely running when brought to the shop. At that time, I asked the mecanic to also tell me what he thought of the clutch, as my son had thought it was slipping the last time he drove it.

When I picked up the car $300 later, he said the clutch was definitely slipping. I had a motorcycle with a slipping clutch before, easily dianosed. The Bird feels different than that. I rode with the second mechanic when he checked it out, and as you said, should slip in the upper gears and he could find no evidence of slippage.

The fuel pressure was checked when the bad pump was diagnosed, doubt if it was checked after installation. The plugs, I checked the gap on them, will replace, too.

Pete, thanks for the help and starting points.
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Stinger Offline
Senior Member
#4
RPM will raise dramatically without the car accelerating much at all if it is slipping in the higher gears. If this isn't happening, it isn't slipping, period.

It is an engine/tune issue.
www.Stinger-Performance.com

85 TC
85 SVO
86 SVO
87 Merkur
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firstsvo Offline
Senior Member
#5
If you have an adjustable boost valve, turn up the boost a bit and see what happens. I have a 2 setting valve and at stock boost, ~9 psi, the car is fine. If I flip the switch for the 21 psi boost setting, 1st and 2nd are ok, but as soon as 3rd hits about 3200 rpm, the car revs like it's in neutral. 4th does the same as 3rd. I KNOW I need a clutch. lol. The car not "pulling" is a whole different matter.
White '88 auto mostly stock, Black '88 5 speed nowhere near stock
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fizzerman Offline
Junior Member
#6
Checked the timing, was advanced to 15 or 16 degrees. Set it back to 10, took it for a drive, ran worse than before. Not much bottom end power, slow revving. Started missing, cutting out. Plugs and wires next. Will have a friend check fuel pressure at idle, drive and under load and boost.

Flicked on the climate control for a few min., seems that's when it started cutting out, smelled something hot, turned out the upper cooling fan motor was smoking.

The saga continues. Not even worried about clutch anymore.
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firstsvo Offline
Senior Member
#7
To start at the start, did you take the spout out when you checked the timing? Checked cam timing? Soounds like it's one (or both) of them.
White '88 auto mostly stock, Black '88 5 speed nowhere near stock
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fizzerman Offline
Junior Member
#8
Yes, looked at Pete's link, took out the spout connector, and yes, I'm suspicious of the cam timing. I don't have too much confidence in the last shop that worked on the car. They are the same shop that put on the last timing belt. Just talking about some things that I found missing or out of place under the hood.
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fizzerman Offline
Junior Member
#9
Had another mechanic, the one who doubted the clutch theory, and he said the cam was retarded one tooth. He also said the initial timing was retarded, something about the timing marks on the timing cover did not match up with the true timing. Anyway, the car runs much better, is on the for sale forum.

Thanks for the advice, would have had a clutch needlessly replaced.
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