1987 marathon driven clutch not opening

Marathonguy · 07-12-2020, 03:00 PM

Hey guys I have an 87 marathon and a few weeks ago I replaced the worn belt because it was getting stuck in the driven clutch and killing low end power. When I got a new one I went with the 7/8 shorter belt and same width hoping for better power with my new lift and tires. Hp 3004 dayco was the new belt. It ran great and operated fine until now. It revs high with no speed to it and the driven clutch isnt opening up. Do you guys think the driven clutch is junk or do I have another option here. Drive clutch seems to open and close just fine. It looks like it moves about an inch, not sure what is a normal amount. I do see black on my driven clutch and the belt seems to be wearing already. Thanks.

Marathonguy · 07-12-2020, 10:13 PM

After thinking about it for a little longer and then taking a spin in it again I noticed the inch the drive clutch is moving is not enough. I took the belt off and it revs for a bit then quickly snaps shut. Not sure if that should be a smooth transition? Once the belt is on it will not close all the way again. Now I'm leaning towards the drive clutch being bad. I took it apart and all is free and looks ok. Anyone got any ideas/advice? Thanks.

cart around · 07-13-2020, 07:19 AM

Jack up the rear end and watch both clutches operate. The belt should ride to the top edge of the drive clutch in a smooth movement. As that happens the driven clutch should open in a smooth movement.

The key to everything is a smooth fluid movement, and the belt has to get to the very top edge of the drive clutch.

cart around · 07-13-2020, 07:24 AM

You should also take the belt off of the driven clutch and try to squeeze the plates together with one hand. They should not move, and they should not lean towards each other in any amount.

Marathonguy · 07-13-2020, 10:18 AM

I jacked it up and tried it and the drive clutch isn't fully engaging. I did notice someone has messed with the motor mount and the motor is being pulled inward so I'm wondering if that could be part of the problem. I cant squeeze the driven clutch with the belt off ir even wiggle them.

Marathonguy · 07-13-2020, 10:24 AM

I took a video but I'm having trouble getting it to post. Maybe the file size is too large. Looks like someone made their own mount with a piece of rubber and a bolt. I will have to replace that first off but do you think that could be my whole problem?

cart around · 07-13-2020, 10:59 AM

Youtube is the only way to post videos on here. Yes, a moving mount could cause your trouble.

Marathonguy · 07-13-2020, 12:18 PM

Ok thanks. Looks like the first step will be replacing 2 motor mounts and then I will report back.

Marathonguy · 07-17-2020, 08:56 AM

New motor mounts are in and the clutch still seems to be closing up about half way. Going to put a new drive clutch on hopefully this afternoon.

Marathonguy · 07-17-2020, 01:25 PM

I installed a new used drive clutch and am still having the same exact issue. Now I am out of ideas on what it could be. If the drive clutch needs to close all the way before the driven starts opening then I would assume this issue would be before the driven clutch?

07-12-2020, 03:00 PM	#1
Marathonguy Not Yet Wild Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau claire wi Posts: 41	1987 marathon driven clutch not opening Hey guys I have an 87 marathon and a few weeks ago I replaced the worn belt because it was getting stuck in the driven clutch and killing low end power. When I got a new one I went with the 7/8 shorter belt and same width hoping for better power with my new lift and tires. Hp 3004 dayco was the new belt. It ran great and operated fine until now. It revs high with no speed to it and the driven clutch isnt opening up. Do you guys think the driven clutch is junk or do I have another option here. Drive clutch seems to open and close just fine. It looks like it moves about an inch, not sure what is a normal amount. I do see black on my driven clutch and the belt seems to be wearing already. Thanks.

07-12-2020, 10:13 PM	#2
Marathonguy Not Yet Wild Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau claire wi Posts: 41	Re: 1987 marathon driven clutch not opening After thinking about it for a little longer and then taking a spin in it again I noticed the inch the drive clutch is moving is not enough. I took the belt off and it revs for a bit then quickly snaps shut. Not sure if that should be a smooth transition? Once the belt is on it will not close all the way again. Now I'm leaning towards the drive clutch being bad. I took it apart and all is free and looks ok. Anyone got any ideas/advice? Thanks.

07-13-2020, 07:19 AM	#3
cart around Test before replacing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ohio side of the Pennsylvania border. Posts: 3,496	Re: 1987 marathon driven clutch not opening Jack up the rear end and watch both clutches operate. The belt should ride to the top edge of the drive clutch in a smooth movement. As that happens the driven clutch should open in a smooth movement. The key to everything is a smooth fluid movement, and the belt has to get to the very top edge of the drive clutch.

07-13-2020, 07:24 AM	#4
cart around Test before replacing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ohio side of the Pennsylvania border. Posts: 3,496	Re: 1987 marathon driven clutch not opening You should also take the belt off of the driven clutch and try to squeeze the plates together with one hand. They should not move, and they should not lean towards each other in any amount.

07-13-2020, 10:18 AM	#5
Marathonguy Not Yet Wild Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau claire wi Posts: 41	Re: 1987 marathon driven clutch not opening I jacked it up and tried it and the drive clutch isn't fully engaging. I did notice someone has messed with the motor mount and the motor is being pulled inward so I'm wondering if that could be part of the problem. I cant squeeze the driven clutch with the belt off ir even wiggle them.

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07-13-2020, 10:24 AM	#6
Marathonguy Not Yet Wild Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau claire wi Posts: 41	Re: 1987 marathon driven clutch not opening I took a video but I'm having trouble getting it to post. Maybe the file size is too large. Looks like someone made their own mount with a piece of rubber and a bolt. I will have to replace that first off but do you think that could be my whole problem?

07-13-2020, 10:59 AM	#7
cart around Test before replacing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ohio side of the Pennsylvania border. Posts: 3,496	Re: 1987 marathon driven clutch not opening Youtube is the only way to post videos on here. Yes, a moving mount could cause your trouble.

07-13-2020, 12:18 PM	#8
Marathonguy Not Yet Wild Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau claire wi Posts: 41	Re: 1987 marathon driven clutch not opening Ok thanks. Looks like the first step will be replacing 2 motor mounts and then I will report back.

07-17-2020, 08:56 AM	#9
Marathonguy Not Yet Wild Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau claire wi Posts: 41	Re: 1987 marathon driven clutch not opening New motor mounts are in and the clutch still seems to be closing up about half way. Going to put a new drive clutch on hopefully this afternoon.

07-17-2020, 01:25 PM	#10
Marathonguy Not Yet Wild Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Eau claire wi Posts: 41	Re: 1987 marathon driven clutch not opening I installed a new used drive clutch and am still having the same exact issue. Now I am out of ideas on what it could be. If the drive clutch needs to close all the way before the driven starts opening then I would assume this issue would be before the driven clutch?

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