CenterForce Clutch Problem

[Mark]

I installed a new centerforce clutch system and here is the problem:
(here are the centerforce numbers, centerforce say's these are the correct)
Pressure Plate # CF361675 (10.5")
Disk # 383271
Throw-Out-Bearing (self aligning) # N1716

The clutch pedal has about 3/4 of it travel that is free, (it does not just fall to the floor, there is pressure from linkage and springs, just no clutch pressure) and the last 1/4 starts to disengage the clutch, and the fork is moving full travel through out the entire clutch pedal event.
The fork cannot go back any further or it would hit the tunnel wall.

The adjustment rod is is at it's end.

I replaced the clutch fork pivot stud in the bell housing and it is the same size as the one that came out.

Plus when the clutch is pushed to the floor and starts to disengage (what little it does) there is a raspy noise comming from the bell housing? Of course because of the limited amount of disengagement I am not sure if it is normal break-in or not. It sounds like those funky weights and wire loop things on the pressure plate fingers.

I would like to check these numbers to verify that they are correct to eliminate that varible. (for a 1965 327/365shp with close ratio muncie).

M-21 close ratio: 10 spline
Muncie # 3851325
Tag Number #(857579)
Tail shaft number # 385758GM

Bell Housing (Aluminum) # 3858403

stock shifter and linkage. Linkage all intackt and in good working order.

My only thoughts are that the throw-out bearing is to short. It is 1/16" of an inch shorter then the one that came out. Centerforce says this is because the fingers on the pressure plate are 1/16" longer then stock.

Mark

[Stephen L.]

Re: CenterForce Clutch Problem

I ran into a similiar problem on a Chevelle..... I believe there are 2 throwout bearings for the car and one was slightly longer than the other. You may have the wrong one in there. Try installing the old bearing and see if you have the correct pedal throw. I know its a lot of work. I reinstalled the tranny about 15 times before I discovered the problem. I replaced the Pivot and the arm and all sorts of trials before I discovered the true problem. 1/16 of and inch is a lot at the clutch end of the "business". Think about it, the pressure plate probably only moves about 1/8 of an inch during full travel if that much......
Steve

[Duke W.]

Re: CenterForce Clutch Problem

The pressure plate itself only moves a fraction of an inch, but the actual movement of the release bearing is about an inch, so I dont the the 1/32" difference in bearing lengths used would account for this. In early '55 a 1 7/8" long bearing was used, but was replaced during the year with a 1 1/4" long bearing, and this was replaced with a 1 7/32" long bearing in '64

You can get an idea of release bearing travel by measuring the burnished area on the clutch gear sleeve that the bearing rides on.

Duke