Clutch

After having driven many cars with lousy clutches, I decided to spend some extra money and use a Centerforce dual-friction clutch, controlled by a hydraulic system, and a billet flywheel.

Pilot Bearing, Flywheel and Clutch Installation

With the bell housing properly indexed, the pilot bearing could now be installed into the crankshaft. The pilot bearing should be flush with the flat surface on the back of the crank, though it can be pushed in much further. We first used a roller pilot bearing from Summit, drove it in way too far (about 1/4 inch) and then were faced with the challenge of removing it. We tried numerous tricks such as stuffing the crank with grease to force it out hydraulically, and using a proper pulling tool. In the end, I drilled it out and ruined it. To replace it, I used a conventional solid bearing from GM.

Installation of the flywheel was straightforward. It is held on with 6 very strong bolts, and torqued in a typical cross-pattern sequence.

Once the flywheel and pilot bearing were installed, the clutch disc could be installed. With a small plastic tool, the clutch disc can be held in the correct position while installing the pressure plate. It is important that the disc stay in the correct location, or fitting the transmission to the engine will be nearly impossible.

The pressure plate must be bolted to the flywheel slowly and incrementally to prevent any warpage. It is under a great deal of stress, so it can bend very easily.

Mating the Engine to the Transmission

At this point, it was now possible to mate the engine to the transmission. In order to do so, the throwout bearing must be installed onto the input shaft of the transmission in the correct orientation. It is also recommended that anti-seize be put on the input shaft to prevent the throwout bearing from corroding to it due to lack of use.

Mating the transmission to the engine would be difficult to do without help because of the size and weight of the components involved. Also, it is very important the the transmission be installed straight, or damage to the pilot bearing or input shaft could occur. To make things a little easier, we rested the engine on axle stands with a crane, and then muscled the transmission onto it carefully. In one of the pictures below, we can be seen wearing sandals. Not smart.

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Page last modified on December 27, 2010 13:53:44. (ID=42)