From the ones I've had open and looked at, the forks, if they've seen a lot of use, can bow, so it is possible that yours is giving out. It's also possible that it got put back in backwards, but that would put the bow forward and be reducing your freeplay, not increasing it.
Another issue is that a replacement bearing, if that was done when you replaced the clutch, might not be pressed into the carrier deeply enough, but that would give you a problem, again, with not being able to get enough free play, not having to chase it the way you are.
Again, I'll encourage you to evaluate the possiblity that it's a sticky pilot bushing or to see if the problem goes away by simply holding the clutch pedal down another couple of seconds (the "nature of the beast" non-problem). If the pilot bushing is really a problem, or if it turns out to be a problem with the fork or bearing that Tractorman is onto, the only fix is going to involve splitting the tractor again right behind the motor.
If that becomes necessary, examine the fork first. Any sign of it failing, you need to get a replacement. I have no idea if CaseIHNHFord still stocks such a thing, and you may have to go to salvage or have one fabbed up. It's not a complicated piece to make, but it will take better metal than your typical hardware store flat stock.
I hesitate to suggest that, if you find a sigificant fore-aft bow in the fork that you try turning it around. A slight bow, with no sign of any cracking in the metal is not uncommon and perfectly serviceable and isn't causing your problem. A very pronounced bow with any sign of cracking in the metal is trouble. If that turns out to be the root of your problem, the metal is fatigued enough that you are only delaying the ultimate failure. It's no small thing to split a tractor, and you might as well do it right while you can get in there.
It'd be a good time to look over and evaluate the pilot bushing, too. ;8^) You might actually get away with just cleaning that up, but there'd be no better time to replace it, either.
If there is a problem like I desribed in the earlier post about the fingers on the clutch or even the clearance being off, having the tractor split is your only/best opportunity to do anyting about all that. It's 6* above out, so I won't be trekking out to the garage just now to get the books with the specs for the clutch cover and fingers, but I'd be happy to provide them if that turns out to be the problem.
They changed the format here a little so I'm not sure how to open up my email. Ping me at staylor48 at verizon dot net, if you'd like.
As a last thought for the moment, when eyeballing the actual clearance between the throwout bearing and the clutch fingers when you think you have your free play about right at the pedal, get a long screwdriver or a stick in there to make sure the fingers are pressed all the way forward (away from the bearing face)before you evaluate that 3/16" gap. If nothing else, having all the fingers at a reasonably uniform distance is as critical as anything to having a good starting point for getting you runnin' in good order.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - The 8N and the Fox - by Zane Sherman. Dec. 13 1998, Renfroe, Alabama. Last niht I dreamed about the day that I plowed the field of about 10 acres over on what Jimmy and Dandy called the Ledbetter field. I was driving the 1948 8N Ford tractor that Jimmy bought in 48 new This was prebably in about 1951 and maybe even befor the house was built. This would have made me to be about16 years old and I drove the tractor for nothing and would have paid to drive it if I had had any money which I didn't, but neit
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
Sell 1958 Hi-Altitude Massey Fergerson tractor, original condition. three point hitch pto engine, Runs well, photos available upon request
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
