I'm not sure if the toggle style clutch would work on this machine, but from the drawings I have seen, I can't believe it would be too hard to make.
If yours is anything like my 1941, you can easily remove the apron buy moving the carriage all the way down to the tailstock end. Support the lead screw on the left of the apron, and then remove the lead screw support bearing. Then you should be able to remove the bolts that attach the apron to the saddle and slide it off to the right.
Removing the clutch plates can be done with minimal disassembly of the apron. Backing off the left hand screw on the clutch know and removing the knob. The pressure plate should come out the back. Then remove the clutch plates. You can dress them with some sandpaper on a flat surface. Not too fine a grid, it'll need some bite.
At least with the apron off, you can inspect the rest of it.