February 2, 2024
Clutch R&R
FEBRUARY 2, 2024
Well, it's been almost 5.5 years since the clutch was installed brand new along with the Tremec 5 speed. I did not do this particular installation this time. Unfortunately the hydraulic clutch cylinder began leaking due to the installation being done wrong in the first place. Surprise it lasted this long! Clutch starting slipping at almost every hard acceleration.
After get the car setup on jack stands and disconnecting driveshaft, shifter and crossmember, removing the 5 speed Tremec, I finally got down to removing the bell housing and clutch components. Below shows you what I found.
Starting from left to right shows the damage done.
Far Left - shims that were added to the input shaft that had nothing to do with this trans kit.
Below - original installation sheet showing spacers if needed and checking tolerances for spacers.
Left Center - shows the hydraulic Clutch cylinder that leaked fluid onto the clutch and flywheel.
Right Center - burn marks embedded on the flywheel surface.
Far Right - Shows oil contamination on clutch surface and pressure plate.
This combination caused the clutch to slip at various speeds.
Reassembly with new and refurbished parts.
Top Left & Center- This is my work station setup. Car is about 2.5 feet in the air on HD jack stands.
Right- Resurfaced flywheel
Resurfaced flywheel torques to engine
Clutch & Pressure Plate alignment, pressure plate torqued to engine
Bellhousing installed in order to check spacings. After determining the tolerances, I started to reassembly the entire assembly hopefully not to take it apart again.
Right- Resurfaced flywheel
Resurfaced flywheel torques to engine
Clutch & Pressure Plate alignment, pressure plate torqued to engine
Bellhousing installed in order to check spacings. After determining the tolerances, I started to reassembly the entire assembly hopefully not to take it apart again.
Well, after 2 weeks of slow and deliberate work on my car, I got to reassembly and all went well. Finally got the car down off its perch and took it out for a road test. Everything seemed to work smooth and sweet. There is a 500 mile break-in period on the clutch so couldn't do an immediate test for slippage but so far, it felt great.