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Topic: Clutch help needed

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


Clutch help needed

Posted: 5/10/07 9:42am Message 1 of 9
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Roseland, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/4/2003
Posts: 966
Vette(s): 1974, 454 with 4 on the floor, matching numbers.
Last year I had my clutch, pressure plate & throwout bearing replaced. Within a few days I developed a "chatter" while shifting in traffic. I had the shop reinstall a new system and all was fine for awhile.
It has now started to chatter again, the longer I'm in traffic the worse it gets. Note: the car runs great and shifts fine during non-traffic driving.
My problem is this, I'm being asked what size flywheel I have, and whats the measurement of the input shaft.
 
Guess what ? I have no idea ! Can anyone help ?



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Clutch help needed

Posted: 5/10/07 1:46pm Message 2 of 9
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Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA
Joined: 1/3/2006
Posts: 1560
Vette(s): 1980 Black L48 T-Tops
The hard way would be to remove the inspection plate and count the teeth on the flywheel.  Mark one with nail polish or a carpenters crayon or welders chalk, then turn the flywheel with a flat screwdriver wedged into the teeth up by the starter, using the starter for leverage.

I have absolutely no idea on the input shaft.

I'm sure one of the real gearheads will be on here after work and can answer.

Is it possible that you have a small leak of some kind that gets on the clutch plate during in traffic driving?

When you say in traffic, do you mean you sit with the clutch pressed in or are you kicking it out of gear and letting off the clutch?

Good luck!



Clutch help needed

Posted: 5/10/07 2:36pm Message 3 of 9
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Joined: 4/29/2007
Posts: 40
Vette(s): 74 mille miglia red 454 auto. Zora's favorite!

Who is asking those questions? You should be able to get flywheel and even input shaft specs by visiting Advance auto parts. They can look up the parts and give you the info from their spec sheet. I love these guys.

 
On the other hand, your chattering problem could be any of a number of things.
 
Oil getting on the flywheel or the clutch plate pads. A wimped-out pressure plate, a toasted throwout bearing, a loose throwaout bearing, or even plain old throwout bearing adjustment.  Much of this depends on how many miles you've put on the thing since "last year".
 
The difference in your symptoms between traffic and non-traffic indicates something failing due to heat, since the clutch parts get a LOT hotter in traffic.
 
Then again, the fact that this is the SECOND time this has happened with work and parts from the same repair shop could tell you something as well.
 
 



Clutch help needed

Posted: 5/10/07 6:12pm Message 4 of 9
Former Member
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Roseland, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/4/2003
Posts: 966
Vette(s): 1974, 454 with 4 on the floor, matching numbers.
Thanks guys, I spoke with a Centerforce clutch guru, he's the one who asked about measurements, he said it could be one of two sizes Confused. He also said if a rebuilt clutch was used they tend to chatter a lot. As for the heat, these BB give off a lot of heat. I would think that if it were oil getting into the clutch, the mechanic who replaced it for the second time would have said something, or charged me.
It never did this with the old clutch, and I've put on less than a 1,000 miles between new clutch 1 & 2   



Clutch help needed

Posted: 5/10/07 6:48pm Message 5 of 9
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20219
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I'd be looking at the surface finish of the flywheel. If it was "turned", or machined with the first clutch replacement, or even both times, the finish may be too rough. Happens ALL the time. I've seen flywheels come back from the machine shop that were just JUNK...so rough you could almost cut your fingers if you rub across the surface.
Also, make sure whoever is replacing these clutches replaces the pilot bushing in the crank, and checks the end of the input shaft on the trans for excessive wear. if the bushing/shaft is worn, it will cause a chatter.

I believe the clutch size is 10 1/2", with a fine splined input shaft.


Joel Adams
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Clutch help needed

Posted: 5/10/07 6:55pm Message 6 of 9
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Roseland, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/4/2003
Posts: 966
Vette(s): 1974, 454 with 4 on the floor, matching numbers.

Would you suggest I just go ahead and replace the flywheel and the rest of the clutch assembly ?




Clutch help needed

Posted: 5/10/07 7:27pm Message 7 of 9
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20219
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Depends on the flywheel...is it the original? If so, yeah, I probably would. Do you know the history of the clutch, as far as how many times it has ever been done? It may have been machined too many times already.
On my '74, I know for a fact that I am the only one that has ever touched it after the guys in St. Louie put it together, so I know it's done right, and it's only been done once.
I would suggest you take it to a good machine shop, if possible, and get an opinion/measurement from them, as far as the flywheel. If the clutch has been chattering, it would be best to replace it, but...without actually seeing it, I couldn't tell ya for sure...


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Clutch help needed

Posted: 5/11/07 6:24am Message 8 of 9
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Roseland, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/4/2003
Posts: 966
Vette(s): 1974, 454 with 4 on the floor, matching numbers.
Great advice guys,
I'll replace the whole kit & caboodle.



Clutch help needed

Posted: 5/11/07 2:32pm Message 9 of 9
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Jefferson City, MO - USA
Joined: 3/9/2007
Posts: 150
Vette(s): 1969 L46 4 Speed Roadster
Replace everything and I mean everything.  Clutch, Pressure plate, Flywheel, input shaft bushing, clutch fork, clutch fork ball, throw out bearing, clutch fork boot and ensure the dust shield is installed when the job is complete.


in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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