Linkage RebuildClassic musclecar clutch linkages are actually pretty crude. On our Chevelle, both clutch linkage arms and the Z-bar are metal-to-metal pins with no lubrication. These tend to wear, especially if the car has been subjected to a stiff pressure plate. Our clutch linkage is well past the four-decade mark and is showing its age. We've welded the pins before and polished them smooth, but the best solution is to eliminate them altogether and go to spherical rod ends. There are several approaches, but we like to use thin-wall tubing and weld in 51/416-inch threaded bungs on each end. Then just thread in a pair of male spherical bearings with jam nuts set to the length of the original rods and you're done. You need to make up one rod from the clutch pedal to the Z-bar and the other rod from the Z-bar to the throwout bearing release arm. We bolted our pieces together with fine-thread bolts and locking nuts to prevent them from coming loose. We found our parts at Art Morrison Enterprises. If you don't want to build this system, you can buy similar pieces from SpeedDirect. Here's how the clutch disc is placed on the flywheel, with the spring hub facing outward toward the pressure plate.Here's how the clutch disc is placed on the flywheel, with the spring hub facing outward t Position the Centerforce pressure plate and disc on the flywheel by starting a couple of bolts while holding the disc in place with the dummy shaft. Put Loctite on the pressure-plate bolts and use a star pattern to evenly load the pressure plate. It is an important step in not tweaking the pressure plate. Hold the dummy shaft as square to the flywheel as possible, and then with the bolts snug, torque them to the factory spec.Position the Centerforce pressure plate and disc on the flywheel by starting a couple of b Bolt the bellhousing in place. We like to use two transmission studs made out of old bolts in the top two holes to help guide the trans into place (arrow). The studs keep it aligned and prevent the input shaft from tweaking the clutch disc if the trans does not fully seat into the bellhousing. Never use the trans bolts to pull the trans into the bellhousing; that's how those dainty ears get broken on Muncie four-speeds. If the trans won't seat, read the Tech Tip sidebar we've included. If that doesn't work, there's something amiss. Pull the trans and figure out what went wrong.Bolt the bellhousing in place. We like to use two transmission studs made out of old bolts Now you can bolt the trans, shifter, crossmember, and driveshaft back into place. This is also a good time to spend a few minutes adjusting the shifter. Removing and reinstalling it can cause it to go out of adjustment. For Hurst shifters, be sure to use the alignment pin. If you don't have one, use a drill bit.Now you can bolt the trans, shifter, crossmember, and driveshaft back into place. This is Using spherical rod ends eliminates wear in the linkage and also looks cool. The appearance alone is worth the investment.Using spherical rod ends eliminates wear in the linkage and also looks cool. The appearanc PARTS LIST DESCRIPTION PN SOURCE PRICE Centerforce Dual-Friction DF271675 Summit Racing $279.95 Centerforce 10.5 flywheel 700100 Summit Racing 285.95 Clutch-alignment tool 53010 Summit Racing 7.39 SpeedDirect clutch linkage 7100 Speed Direct 62.00 Year One clutch fork 8600N Year One 55.00 Year One fork-pivot ball 904N Year One 15.50 Flywheel-turning tool T3 Year One 39.95 ARP flywheel bolts 100-2801 Summit Racing 8.88 ARP pressure-plate bolts 130-2201 Summit Racing 10.95 SOURCES Centerforce 9-28/-771-8422 www.centerforce.com SpeedDirect 1901 S. FM 129 Santo TX 76472 Automotive Racing Products (ARP) 531 Spectrum Circle Oxnard CA 93030 805-278-7223 Year One PO Box 129 Tucker GA 30085 800-932-7663 770-496-1949 www.nextgenparts.com/mustang Hurst Shifters a Mr. Gasket Company Cleveland OH 44144 Art Morrison Enterprises www.artmorrison.com « | 1 | 2 | 3 | View Full Article Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
