My 350 4 speed project revealed this. I put in a cheap Zoom clutch assembly. I am sure the superior made in China parts had something to do with this but. . . I had purchased a bell housing an several other 4 speed parts from a member a few years ago to use on my 66 340. The person i bought it from did mention the parts might have come off a SBB 300 (maybe a 64??). i used the parts in My 70 350 4 speed project (project Jessica Rabbit- look it up). Before the latest engine swap I flogged on it pretty good. The clutch would always slip in first gear on launch when I would get on it. I always thought it was the crappy clutch, but upon disassembly we found that the flywheel had "burn marks in 3 distinct places not on the entire part. The throw out bearing cracked off a piece, and the clutch disk looked fried. Take a look at the pics and tell me what you think. Could the BH designed for the 300 but put on the 350 have been causing my problems or was it just a crappy clutch, or do you have your own theory. . o No:
I am more inclined to think you have a problem with the pressure plate/clutch disc. the wrong bell would only change the depth of the pilot shaft to the flywheel and or change the throw of the clutch fork. Meaning either the pilot shaft is not seating with the pilot bearing all the way or it is binding. The only way to get clutch slippage like that is either the linkage is to tight or the pressure plate is not "squeezing" the clutch disc as it should be. I know with Jap scraps they tell you not to turn the flywheels, if you do then too much material can be removed and the pressure plate will not seat properly and clamp the clutch disc tightly causing a slipping problem. I would put a stock clutch in it and try it. In all the off roading i have done i always used stock clutches just to be cheap. My old Ford ran a 390,4spd with an 11" clutch and i could back it down the road, wind it up to 6k rpm and dump the clutch in 2nd gear. It would fry both 36" tires off the back with no issue and chirp 3rd. Nothing wrong with a stock clutch in a stock car or even mild car IMO. Sometimes that fancy stuff just isnt what its cracked up to be.
Bellhousings and flywheels are interchangable between the 300/340 and 350. When I bought my Centerforce disc/pressureplate, they told me there was a slight height difference between the two families. IIRC, I went with the 350 disc for my 300 and it's been fine. I suspect you may have a linkage issue.
It should NEVER slip in first gear. That is where you have the most mechanical advantage with the gearing. Sounds (and looks) like the free play for the throw out bearing was not set correctly from the get-go, or was reduced due to clutch wear. It's been a long time since I've adjusted a clutch, but I can see the symptoms. Some vehicles have to have the engine speed raised for this adjustment. I don't think Buick is one, though. Check into it.
Tony,did you have any free play in the clutch pedal.If you did then i think your pressure plate was weak and not having enough spring pressure to lock up the clutch to the fly wheel.I live on long island and might have a clutch you could use.Pm me with your number if you need my help. Phil.
Phil thanks for the offer. I have a new Ram clutch in there now, we'll see how that works out. Still wondering what snapped a piece of the throwout bearing off??o No:
