John Deere 1939 L clutch

[JohnG]

I appreciate that the L is not a crawler, but one of the fellows on another JD forum recommended I ask my question here as apparently some of you are very knowledgeable on JD clutches.

Anyone know the correct setting for the clutch fingers on an L, a 1939 with Hercules NXB engine 8 1/2" clutch. The clutch was not disengaging correctly and since I had her apart for painting, I removed the bell housing for a took-a-look. With a straight edge across the top of the clutch drive, 2 of the fingers were 9/16" away, and the third stud was broken. I assumed the 2 were correct, but on reassembly with 3 studs and the fingers set at 9/16", the face of the pressure plate would be 3/8" from the flywheel face, the same thickness as the clutch disk. Or, if someone knows how close the pressure plate should be from the flywheel (without the clutch disk installed), that would do the trick. Thanks

[jtrichard]

Is it the same disc? or a new one.... if the disc is 3/8" thick and you are having to press the fingers to 9 1/16 and you have 3/8 space that should be correct

[JohnG]

No, the 9/16" is the clearance from the top of the disk cover to the top of the release fingers (using a straight edge across the top and measuring down). If I put the clutch pressure plate on the clutch disk, the flange (that bolts to the flywheel) of the pressure plate is all but touching the flat surface.