Bear with me guys Im a real novice. Never did much more than change brakes or the occasional tune up and here I am doing a frame off. Would have been impossible if it wasnt for V8buick!! Well Im finally getting around to the clutch linkage and am running into a problem. When the throw out bearing hits the fingers it just stops, Im a big boy I can only get the pedal half way down. There is plenty of travel in the linkage, if I disconnect it from the clutch fork (Dave Kleiner) the pedal travels to the floor. The car has always been a 4-speed the only difference is the clutch fork. Im sure its something simple but I am stumped. Thanks Matt
Centerforce clutch, plate, and throw out bearing? If so ( and perhaps with another brand) the geometry of the pivot and arm are no longer the same with respect to the pressure plate fingers. For example, the Centerforce T. O. bearing is not nearly as tall as the stock bearing. So you may have to replace the pivot ball with a Lakewood adjustable pivot ball avaiable from Summit.
Jim, Its a GM clutch nothing fancy. Worked fine before I pulled it apart for the resto. I will say the new clutch fork is much larger than the other one. You think changing that one part threw everything off? It does sorta look like the pivot ball should be taller. When in the normal position should the bearing be touching the clutch? Thanks Matt
Is this a 400 or 350 engine? Dave's parts are for the big block which may have something to do with it if yours is a 350. By the way, since you are into it, would you take a look at my posting about the z-bar frame bracket question. Maybe you have some insight into my problem. Thanks.
TS, Its a BBB (430). I looked at your thread, I am using the same bracket and it lines up fine. when I get to the shop I will take some pictures and post on your other thread. Matt
Thank you. I'd really appreciate that. I'm stumped and getting discouraged. I'm really impressed with your courage given your described experience. I am similar and am only doing a 4-speed conversion and already am thinking I am over my head.
I beleive its another "one size fits all" situation only this time with the throw out bearing. The 455 and 350 used different length bearings. The kits we are buying are probably giving us Chevy bearings. I had the length of the 2 Buick bearings at one time posted on one of the long lost threads but I cant find anywhere I wrote it down. Still looking. The adjustable ball stud will allow you make up for the shorter throw ouut bearings.
Adjustable pivot is on its way. I also found a thread that says a 75 skyhawk bearing will work too?? Anyway I will try the adjustable pivot for now, should be here in a couple of days. Matt
I have a bearing that worked with the stock fork. It is 1/2 inch or shorter than the Centerforce bearing. I can give you the exact differnce but suffice it to say that it is substantial and enough to cause this problem. However, the shorter bearing's diameter is correct so it fits in the stock fork retainer.
