1969 - noise with new clutch

[Shannon Burgess]

I could really use any and all ideas about the cause, severity, and prognosis of a strange noise I am having with my car. As background, I had the flywheel resurfaced, installed a new OEM style clutch, new release bearing, new ball stud, and new clutch fork.

I've put about maybe 40 miles on the new OEM style replacement clutch so far. When "slipping" the clutch as I pull away from a dead stop, there is a whirring kind of friction noise. It's not metallic sounding, and it isn't a typical howl of a bad release bearing. It only seems to occur when the clutch disk is slipping during take-off. The clutch releases properly, smoothly, and makes no noise in any other scenarios. So far, my thought has been that it's a combination of the new disc and the resurfaced flywheel having to mate together. Does this sound like a possible explanation?

The sound does seem to be getting better, and the clutch is getting smoother the more I drive the car. I just want to make sure I'm not damaging anything by driving the car with this occurring. Anyone got advice/opinion on this?

Thanks,
Shannon

[Dick W.]

Re: 1969 - noise with new clutch

It sounds like that the surface of the flywheel has been finished a little bit rough. No to say that it will hurt anything, but it will take a while to slick up so the noise will go away. Strictly a SWAG, but most logical I can think of.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 - noise with new clutch

Shannon-----

In the "old days" clutch friction discs were manufactured from an asbestos compound. Asbestos has been illegal to use in any automotive part sold since August, 1991. In its place, other materials, like Kevlar, are used. These materials in combination with a slightly-too-rough flywheel surface might produce the sound of which you speak. Eventually, the surfaces will wear-in.

[Shannon Burgess]

Re: 1969 - noise with new clutch

Thanks for the advice guys. I was holding out hope that it was just a normal break-in noise. I'll put some more miles on it and hope that it continues to get gradually better.

Shannon

[Chuck R.]

Re: Could it be the pilot bearing? *NM*

[Shannon Burgess]

Re: Could it be the pilot bearing?

Should have mentioned in the original post, new bronze pilot bushing installed as well. There is no shuddering of vibration, only the non-metallic kind of "friction" sound when slipping the clutch. How could I tell if it was the pilot bushing?

Shannon

[Chuck R.]

Re: Could it be the pilot bearing?

Well then, if it's a hissing type of sound, I'd also agree with the others that the flywheel just needs to be seasoned with some normal run time.

Chuck