New Clutch

[John Mathieu]

Got new Coker Radials a few days ago. Besides the grease marks on the goldlines, they look great. I had to bring the tires to the tire center in the back of my truck because my clutch is gone (65 coupe 396 w/L88 Cam, etc.) The tire man asked if I had a lift to do the job. I responded with a No and he shook his head like I was up against something here.

Yes, installing a new clutch and I am going to do it on my back -No Lift. And, it is my FIRST time. Am I asking for trouble? Is this a one man job? Any advice in general, suggestions on a replacement clutch, in addition to Chilton's manual any other books that might help? How many hours does a clutch replacement usually take? This is my first time and I am not an experienced mechanic. Shifter is also popping out of 4th gear. Hope to take care of this as well.

Thanks!

John

[Joe L.]

Re: New Clutch

John-----

The transmission and clutch can be removed without the use of a car-lift. I've done it many times and others, in aggregate, have done it millions of times. You want to get the car as high as possible and SECURELY supported by jackstands with BACK UP protection (I use the wheel and tires assemblies positioned under the car).

For your first attempt at it, this job will likely require 6, or more, hours. Subsequent attempts should take about 4 hours.

[Joe L.]

Re: New Clutch

John-----

The transmission and clutch can be removed without the use of a car-lift. I've done it many times and others, in aggregate, have done it millions of times. You want to get the car as high as possible and SECURELY supported by jackstands with BACK UP protection (I use the wheel and tires assemblies positioned under the car).

For your first attempt at it, this job will likely require 6, or more, hours. Subsequent attempts should take about 4 hours.

[Gary S.]

Re: New Clutch

I have pulled the transmission out of my 66 twice and, as Joe said, the second time was much faster. After the transmission was loose I had to rotate it about 90 degrees to remove the entire unit. I just couldn't make it drop straight down with the rotation. I have talked to a couple of others who have had to do the same thing.
Gary

[Gary S.]

Re: New Clutch

I have pulled the transmission out of my 66 twice and, as Joe said, the second time was much faster. After the transmission was loose I had to rotate it about 90 degrees to remove the entire unit. I just couldn't make it drop straight down with the rotation. I have talked to a couple of others who have had to do the same thing.
Gary

[Christopher R.]

Re: New Clutch

When I was younger, I did it a few times. How's your upper body strength? You'll be under the car for a long time, so get it up as high as you can. Make it safe.

Popping out of 4th gear is a transmission problem. A clutch job won't fix that. But in doing a clutch, you'll be removing the transmission. Now's the time to take the tranny someplace to get it fixed.

After you remove the driveshaft, and if you remove the transmission, stuff a rag in that end of the transmission to keep the fluid from pouring out.

Check the archives for postings on making dowels to use as sliders for the transmission mount bolts and other tips to get the transmission back in. You may also have to loosen the bell housing.

You might consider having a mechanic do this work. Like you, I am very reluctant to have anybody else work on my car because I am afraid that they will damage it. But all the work in this job is underneath the car.

[Christopher R.]

Re: New Clutch

When I was younger, I did it a few times. How's your upper body strength? You'll be under the car for a long time, so get it up as high as you can. Make it safe.

Popping out of 4th gear is a transmission problem. A clutch job won't fix that. But in doing a clutch, you'll be removing the transmission. Now's the time to take the tranny someplace to get it fixed.

After you remove the driveshaft, and if you remove the transmission, stuff a rag in that end of the transmission to keep the fluid from pouring out.

Check the archives for postings on making dowels to use as sliders for the transmission mount bolts and other tips to get the transmission back in. You may also have to loosen the bell housing.

You might consider having a mechanic do this work. Like you, I am very reluctant to have anybody else work on my car because I am afraid that they will damage it. But all the work in this job is underneath the car.

[Patrick T.]

Re: New Clutch

If the transmission is popping out of 4th gear, I would suspect that the 3-4 slider sleeve needs to be replaced. To do this, it will be necessary to disassemble the entire transmission, in order to replace it.

I say this because I had a M-22 which did the same thing, and I ended up buying an entire rebuild kit and the slider, which does not come with the kit. Got it from 4-speeds by Darryl, look under the Piper's Corvette site. The rebuild kit was about $190, the slider sleeve was about $90.

[Patrick T.]

Re: New Clutch

If the transmission is popping out of 4th gear, I would suspect that the 3-4 slider sleeve needs to be replaced. To do this, it will be necessary to disassemble the entire transmission, in order to replace it.

I say this because I had a M-22 which did the same thing, and I ended up buying an entire rebuild kit and the slider, which does not come with the kit. Got it from 4-speeds by Darryl, look under the Piper's Corvette site. The rebuild kit was about $190, the slider sleeve was about $90.

[Terry M.]

Re: New Clutch *TL*

The 1970 FSM indicates this rotation is necessary to remove the transmission (trust me it is). I expect that would apply to all >1968 manual transmissions, and might also apply to

[Terry M.]

Re: New Clutch *TL*

The 1970 FSM indicates this rotation is necessary to remove the transmission (trust me it is). I expect that would apply to all >1968 manual transmissions, and might also apply to

[G B.]

Plan two sessions

You'll need a few days to get the flywheel re-surfaced in between the two work sessions.

Now that I'm well into my Buick years, I prefer to have someone help me stab the transmission back in place. Actually, I prefer to have help removing it too.

I unbolt the bellhousing and let it fall down as I drop the nose of the transmission. You still have to remove the shifter and push the transmission separately to the rear first; you just avoid all that jockeying and twisting motion. Also, it usually saves the transmission tunnel insulation from being torn. WARNING: Do not try this method of removal by yourself. I doubt that you have enough hands to catch everything when it comes down.

[G B.]

Plan two sessions

You'll need a few days to get the flywheel re-surfaced in between the two work sessions.

Now that I'm well into my Buick years, I prefer to have someone help me stab the transmission back in place. Actually, I prefer to have help removing it too.

I unbolt the bellhousing and let it fall down as I drop the nose of the transmission. You still have to remove the shifter and push the transmission separately to the rear first; you just avoid all that jockeying and twisting motion. Also, it usually saves the transmission tunnel insulation from being torn. WARNING: Do not try this method of removal by yourself. I doubt that you have enough hands to catch everything when it comes down.

[John Mathieu]

Re: Plan two sessions

Do I need to get the flywheel resurfaced? If so, who would I take it to?

Thanks

[John Mathieu]

Re: Plan two sessions

Do I need to get the flywheel resurfaced? If so, who would I take it to?

Thanks