Re: Electromatic clutch operation - update - looking up!

Posted by Jim Kavanagh On 2009/8/10 11:00:09

It was a good weekend for working on the Packard. I got a number of things done.

Although there may be a couple issues with the electric on the EC, I went through and performed the mechanical adjustments for the clutch and had great results. Everything (almost) now seems to be working properly on the EC. I can start the car in neutral, shift into any gear without touching the clutch, start from a dead stop in reverse, first or second, and go through the gears and everything works well with one exception. When it is time to upshift, there is a short delay between letting off the gas and engagement of the clutch. The result is a little slowing action as the trans starts to slow the car.

It appears to me that either there is an adjustment I need to find that engages the clutch more quickly as the gas is released, or the trans should be free-wheeling at that point.

Is it necessary for the EC to work properly that the OD be engaged? In that case, the free-wheeling action of the OD would address the situation. I don't see anything in the manual that says they need to be operated in tandem but I belive that the EC was only available on cars that also had OD.

As an update to the electrical tests, upon re-checking, the low/reverse solenoid test (solenoid and circuit, not the switch) failed. I do get positive results that the windings in the solenoid are continuous, but I get no light when in first or reverse (or any other position). Not sure how definitive this is, given that everything seems to be engaging and working pretty well.

I could not pull the governor this week end as it requires a very large and fairly thin wrench and I had nothing that would fit it. I did not want to use anything that would apply pressure to the sides of the unit, so it'll be another week before I get the time for this.

Less luck on my OD this weekend. I am starting a new thread on that as it seems to be independent of the EC at this point.

As always, all input and insight is really appreciated. I feel like I am making some real progress and having a lot of fun doing it.