MTFCA Forum

I have what I hope is not a stupid question….it was stated that the bands should be adjusted with the car running……I get that regarding the low speed band with the external adjustment… but one gentleman suggested that the reverse band should be adjusted in the same manner with the engine running…..front chocked …rear wheels off the ground……the reverse gear?…. wouldn’t it be slinging oil all over the universe with the HH cover plate off?…..am I missing something?
Thanks in advance!

I hadn't heard of that before.
Yes, you could lose two quarts of oil that way in about a minute running the engine with the transmission cover plate off.

Yes, but I don't believe he was suggesting that the cover be left off. That is an assumption being read into his post which was never actually stated.

His process is clever and novel (and I plan to adjust my low with this method next time I need to adjust) but it is not the standard with which people generally and historically adjust their Kevlar bands to. As far as reverse and brake, I will continue to make the bands dead-round, installed with the hog's head off for the least distortion possible, and adjust for as low a pedal as I can manage and still have safe and certain operation. All, of course, with a hog's head which is thoroughly rebuilt with fully functioning supports/ramps/pedals for greatest clamping action.

Key words and advice for anyone using Kevlar:

"and adjust for as low a pedal as I can manage and still have safe and certain operation".

Do not try adjusting with the cover off. Sorry if I wasnt clear.

Before pulling the cover run & push the rev pedal until you hear the noise change in the tripple gears. Note the lost movement in the pedal cam as it lifts before the noise change is made. Shut off open & adjust.
Its still a bit of a guessing game, but you have a visual reference of the pedal cam lift & a final auditory check when you think you are close & run with the cover back on.
When you think you have it, Run. Is there no tripple gear noise with a slight cam lift & is there minimal lift off the cam to get the band engagement? (tripple gear noise change)

The same procedure for the brake adjustment, but the car must have 1 wheel up & you are listening/feeling for engine slowing/friction.

Since low is externally adjusted, tighten (whall running) until yo hear the tripple gear noise change. Back off 1/2 turn. Lock the nut. Done.
The adjustment is optimal. If all bands had external adjusters, all 3 adjust as quickly & optimally.

No Speedy!……I knew I was missing something……thanks for the clarification for the simple minded!!…lol

Brent has nailed it. The bands should be adjusted up to the point they actually work as they should, and no more. That way you will be left with maximum clearance between the bands and drum when not engaged.
Initial adjustment while stationary is just that. I don't know of any other way to do this except driving the car to see how they operate. It may take two or three adjustments initially to find that sweet spot, and a couple more as they bed in with use. Driving the car is the only way to tell if they are adjusted properly. How well they operate is how you obtain the best adjustment.

Allan from down under.

A number of people in Southern California have cracked reverse drums using Kevlar. It's not the fault of the Kevlar, it's drivers lack of knowledge on how to properly drive the car. The purpose of the bands is to stop the drum from turning. We all know that there has to be slippage when engaging the band, but with these people cracking drums, that is not happening.