67 S/B Clutch update-That's all I needed

[Gerard F.]

Thanks guys, for all the advice on the clutch for my 67 base engine.

As I was playing around with the missing control arm bushing, my appointment came up with the mechanic who put the clutch in 16 years ago.

So overnight, I had a LUK 04-021 clutch kit put in, resurfaced the flywheel, new tunnel insulation, and clutch boot. Turns out that the disk was very badly worn but the front transmission bearing retainer was in good shape.

Boy is it sweet, and the throwout bearing is quiet as a mouse.

Glad I took it to a shop as it was done in 5 hours. I would have been two to three weekends trying to do this myself.

Now to fix the missing control arm bushing. I got a temporary one at Autozone to put in this weekend. But ordered a full upper and lower OEM set with the bolt kits. I think this will be a next spring project.

Next project I'm planning is to restore the clutch-cross shaft and linkage.
Does anyone know whether the clutch cross-shaft was plated in zinc or cadmium?

Thanks again

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 S/B Clutch update-That's all I needed

Thanks guys, for all the advice on the clutch for my 67 base engine.

As I was playing around with the missing control arm bushing, my appointment came up with the mechanic who put the clutch in 16 years ago.

So overnight, I had a LUK 04-021 clutch kit put in, resurfaced the flywheel, new tunnel insulation, and clutch boot. Turns out that the disk was very badly worn but the front transmission bearing retainer was in good shape.

Boy is it sweet, and the throwout bearing is quiet as a mouse.

Glad I took it to a shop as it was done in 5 hours. I would have been two to three weekends trying to do this myself.

Now to fix the missing control arm bushing. I got a temporary one at Autozone to put in this weekend. But ordered a full upper and lower OEM set with the bolt kits. I think this will be a next spring project.

Next project I'm planning is to restore the clutch-cross shaft and linkage.
Does anyone know whether the clutch cross-shaft was plated in zinc or cadmium?

Thanks again

Jerry-----


I don't think the clutch cross shaft assembly was electro-plated, at all. I think the complete assembly was HOT-DIP GALVANIZED (i.e. zinc).

Also, I do not understand how you could have a MISSING control arm bushing?

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 S/B Clutch update-That's all I needed

Joe,
I mean't the lower A-Arm bushing per this post:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...62849&uid=5330

The bolt fell out and the poly bushing is gone. Going to go back to the rubber ones.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 67 S/B Clutch update-That's all I needed

...Next project I'm planning is to restore the clutch-cross shaft and linkage.
Does anyone know whether the clutch cross-shaft was plated in zinc or cadmium?

Jerry --- chances are it's got the cad or other protective treatment that Joe L. describes. Here's a pic of same on an NOS '65-66 396-427 Z-bar to show the surface. Probably your '67 would be the same.

[Donald T.]

Re: 67 S/B Clutch update-That's all I needed

Jerry,

The JG calls for zinc or cad plating on the cross shaft. However, I would trust Joe's assessment over the JG. Just based on the info in the JG, I zinc plated mine, and it came pretty close to a factory appearance.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 S/B Clutch update-That's all I needed

Jerry,

The JG calls for zinc or cad plating on the cross shaft. However, I would trust Joe's assessment over the JG. Just based on the info in the JG, I zinc plated mine, and it came pretty close to a factory appearance.

Donald-----

There are at least a few reasons why I believe the cross shaft to be originally hot dip galvanized rather than electroplated. First, I have noted tiny "drips" of the finish on original shafts. This is a dead-giveaway; there's no way that would occur with electroplating. Second, the finish has a somewhat "mottled" look, evidencing the fact that the thickness of the coating varies. That would not occur with electroplating, either.

I believe the reason that the shafts were hot dip galvanized rather than electroplated was to ensure that strength would not be compromised. With electroplating, hydrogen embrittlement may occur and result in a loss of strength. Proper post-plating bath annealing of the part can overcome this to a great degree. However, during the 50's and 60's, electroplating of high strength parts was not too common. Strength in these shafts is very important. I have had these shafts break in other Chevrolets (Chevelles) I owned and I've seen others broken, sometimes at the welds.

For the most part, I don't think that many judges would be able to discern the difference between hot dip galvanizing and electroplating, so I don't think restoring the shafts with an electroplated finish will cause any judging problems. However, I'd definitely want to be sure the piece was properly annealed after electroplating.

[Donald T.]

Re: 67 S/B Clutch update-That's all I needed

Great info Joe. I didn't realize the plating process could cause any issues. I would have thought better of it, if I would have known that before hand.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 S/B Clutch update-That's all I needed

Joe,

I agree. The cross-shaft in Wayne's picture above looks more like it is hot dipped than plated.

So, since my cross-shaft has been covered in grease, oil and dirt for some 41 years, maybe just a cleanup is in order. I've found this with other engine compartment parts. After cleaning them for plating, they looked so good, I just put them back on.