Re: Electromatic Clutch?

Posted by HH56 On 2015/4/8 11:24:03

They were introduced for 41. The vacuum diaphragm rubber is available from Steele and most other parts are still around from Kanter. Believe they were available on all models.

The prewar version is somewhat more complicated and requires more adjustments. There are some switches and relays selected by the particular gear the car is using which operate adjustable solenoid valves. In conjunction with the accelerator linkage and its switch plus the internal "feedback" or monitoring valve which is calibrated to work approximately the same rate as the power cylinder, the solenoid and mechanical valves all modify the rate of vacuum release of the power cylinder to control the smoothness of the clutch engagement.

The postwar version is much more refined requiring only a single solenoid valve to block or allow vacuum to reach the control valve. It is not adjustable and is either on or off. Once the vacuum is present in the control valve it is modified by the accelerator linkage and the feedback valve and then out to the power cylinder. Adjustment and complexity is much simplified.

My current 47 is not on the road yet but the last one I had worked reasonably well. It cannot be expected to be flawless though. It is designed for a dignified driver who sedately goes thru the gears in an orderly fashion and has no ambitions to compete at Indy. Since there is only the one set of adjustments it might be good for one driver but another regularly driving the car would be totally upset with the operation. I don't have a prewar but several with the prewar versions are also operating satisfactorily. It is all in the adjustment and understanding how they interact and taking the time needed to do them.

If you want to learn about the units and differences and how to adjust, there are training books in the literature section. The prewar version is in the manual entitled Electromatic Clutch and the postwar version is covered in the Clutch and Electomatic Clutch manual.