My very own "can o' worms"

[David H.]

I really got into it this week. What started out as a little cleaning has turned into a "can o' worms"! (but I kinda expected it would)
With the engine out there is lots to do in the engine compartment. Missing clips, dried out vacuum lines and washer fluid lines, dirt and grime, missing grommets, spare parts in the inner fenders, worn parts and bushings...the list goes on. Its pretty nice tho, being able to step in and sit right in the hole and work on things. I started cleaning the bell housing and decided it would be easier to just take it out, which I did. Then started cleaning the transmission in place. Moved to the clutch linkage and there was the can of worms. Worn bushings, broken bolts, part that should be round that are more oblong. So, here are some pictures for you all to critique and tell me just what I am looking at.
The first picture show a pivot shaft with what appears to be a felt washer. The stud appears worn badly and is not really round anymore. It should be, right?
The second picture shows the tab where the spring connects. The end that connect to the pivot arm (?) is worn badly. Is something missing here?
The third picture shows the clutch rod where it connects to the pivot arm. The bolt at 6 oclock holding it together fell apart when I tried to remove it, as did the bushing.
The ST-12 does not show a very good diagram as to all the parts involved here and neither does the AIM. Is there a better reference for a detailed assembly diagram for the clutch linkage?

[John F.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

David, I just took pictures of the linkage in my 62 for you. Do you have the Corvette Servicing Guide? Check Section-6R pages 6R thru 6R-4. Has a prety good breakdown of the linkage. I would clean up what you have and replace worn out pieces. Check with Paragon or Corvette Central for parts, but call to see if in stock first. Hope this was helpful.

John

[Rick S.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

David,
I wouldn't call it a can of worms, I call it "WhileIamatitis". Now is the time to repair/replace things.
Rick
P.S. As you said , much easier to work in a big hole.

[John H.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

David -

Looks like you need a new pivot ball for the frame bracket, and a new bushing where the pedal pushrod connects to the top lever on the cross shaft.

You'll need to knock the existing pivot ball out of the frame bracket and weld the new one in.

[Brian M.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

Don't forget to lubricate the bell crank.

[Jerry W.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

just purchased same parts from CC...all look like quality parts......make sure to check I.D. of cross shaft for wear from the worn out ball studs

[Dan D.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

Dave, Just went through all this last summer. Corvette Central has all these parts and they look to be correct. Also, Corvette Central has an exploded view of the whole clutch and brake linkage assembly. You can print it out and it will be a big help in getting everything back together right. Prepare to find disease in a whole lot more areas. The list will go on and on - can of worms as you say. Been there -done that. -Dan-

[David H.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

Thanks very much guys! I ran a comparison on CC and Paragon.
Paragon seem to be a bit less expensive on the parts they have, but dont have everything. Is their quality as good as CC?
One question has come up.
The Clutch return spring bracket-oval appears to be slotted in the AIM which I would expect. (yes I found the exploded view of it) The replacement part is not slotted. Do I have the correct part? GM pn: 3764732. THe one that came from the car is not slotted but appears to have been reemed out a bit. And the hole is much larger than the stud that it sit on. Am I missing a bushing here?

[John H.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

The Clutch return spring bracket-oval appears to be slotted in the AIM which I would expect. (yes I found the exploded view of it) The replacement part is not slotted. Do I have the correct part? GM pn: 3764732. THe one that came from the car is not slotted but appears to have been reemed out a bit. And the hole is much larger than the stud that it sit on. Am I missing a bushing here?

David -

Nope - no bushing there; looks like the original part.

[Jerry W.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

both holes in my original brkt. are round

the large hole in the oblong brkt rides in a shaft groove of the overcenter brkt which is bolted to the cross shaft...my original oblong brkt hole is also much larger than the grooved shaft.

the small round hole in the oblong brkt receives the godzilla spring from below

check out your thumbnail pic #3

[Dan D.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

Dave, I have purchased probably $15k worth of aftermarket parts this year. In doing this, I have formed the following opinions of the aftermarket business:
1. Most of the parts they offer will work, but the majority are not completely correct. There is usually some part of them that is not quite like the OEM. (Your clutch linkage stuff is very good though).
2. All seem to have good delivery and post e-mails advising status.
3. CC is generally 5 -10% higher in cost, but they have almost everything. Other places (Paragon, Zip, others) offer limited parts - making it hard to do complete 1 stop shopping.
4. I think a good majority of parts are manufactured by the same source, regardless of which house you buy from. Remember, these places manufacture very little. They are basically warehouses.
5. CC by far has the best web site. Very easy to navigate through, photos of most all parts.
6. It is easy to complain that aftermarket parts are not correct or that the quality is not good. For people trying to restore a car for judging or even just to make it correct, this can be a flustrating experience.
7. But to put this in perspective, one must realize that we are very fortunate that we have these houses. Without them this hobby would not even be close to what it is today. The few well used or NOS parts one could find would really bring a small fortune (not that they don't now).

Feel free, anyone, to add to this, or to take issue with it. You won't hurt my feelings any. Between NCRS, reading publications, studying aftermarket sites, going to car shows, I have learned so much this year I just can't believe it. And it has been so much fun. -Dan-

[Jerry W.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

Dan....A Big DITTO on the education on parts and sourcing over the last few months....Dave....if i had to do it over again ....i would accumulate a bigger list of parts before sourcing them and ordering them...even then you're going to miss something....shipping charges are a killer....CC usually ofters free shipping from time to time....and they also offer a yearly total rolling discount with the placement of a large initial order....you tend to get caught up in ordering what you need at the time....or at least i did.

[David D.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

As Pete says, 'Part is Parts' NOS is best. Being an old salt, I remember when dash pads were not available, repro parts not present, etc. You should have seen the dash someone put in my old '62 to make it look red. UGLY!

[Stewart A.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

I remember vividly replacing all the parts in that linkage line up. When I press the clutch in I sometimes picture in my head all the parts moving in unison with each other and wonder which part is wearing more excessive. I really don't like the bolt that the clutch shaft bolts to with all the rubbers and felt washers attached. It looks like it's waiting to fall apart. I have a good look at that area a lot on my car but all seems ok at the moment. The big arse spring is kind of scary when installing and taking apart. It's amazing how many times you actually throw a clutch when driving. Not being a normal person and all I once counted how many times I threw the clutch driving to work and I counted 96 times in a 24 minute trip ? I would hate to think how many times you throw the clutch in a cars life. ( can you imagine counting how many times you throw a clutch what a looser I am ). Stewy

[Stephen R.]

Re: My very own "can o' worms"

Just did the same repairs on my 59 six weeks ago. The old ones looked just like yours. I guess after 50 years, things wear out. I bought all of the parts from Paragon. Replaced everything from the bracket on the clutch pedal up to but not including the throw out bearing fork. Replaced some items I didn't know I was missing. Also, made a tool for replacing the clutch rod pivot bushing. Guess I'm good to go for another 50. The hardest part will be replacing that bushing and not losing a few fingers playing with the "Gorilla" spring.