Engine swap update
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 7,117
Likes: 51
From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Engine swap update
Drove it to the muff shop yesterday to get the header collectors hooked up to the pipes. No issues at all with the CF II clutch, nice and quiet, very easy on the leg with no weights riding anything. :D If you remember I had an issue with the clutch rod on the '64. One year only aparently and on back order. Ordered the later year rod, it was longer by an inch or so, so I had to get the shorter bellcrank to clutch assy rod also. Lots of adjustment left. Works great if anyone with a 64 wants to do this.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: smyrna ga
Re: Engine swap update (MasterDave)
Master Dave, I had the same problem as you with the worn fork to bell crank rod. Where did you order your rod from? I found one for my 64 that was the same length as the original at paragon. I'm wondering if maybe the original was wrong to start with, but I don't think it was. :confused:
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Re: Engine swap update (MasterDave)
Interesting that I am having the same bell crank rod problem with my 1960 C1. I am in the middle of a engine swap putting a ZZ4 crate motor with a 11" CFII clutch. Once I got it in and hooked up, the adjustment is max'ed and there is still about a half inch play in the the petal. I am working with my partsman to get a longer rod but it seems that he can only find one that is about a half inch longer (I would prefer 2 inches for future adjustment). He is sending me the longer rod anyhow and the adjusting piece off a 1st generation camaro thinking that this will get me the lenght I need. Any other suggestions?
bret
:smash:
bret
:smash:
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 7,117
Likes: 51
From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: Engine swap update (franko64)
I got the longer pedal to bellcrank rod from a '66/'67 if I remember correctly. I can find out for sure tomorrow if you want me to. I also had to get the corresponding shorter bellcrank to T.O. bearing arm from the same year car. The clutch pedal bracket and the bellcrank stayed the same. Strange. The old rods (64) were like yours, maxed to the last threat and I could do nothing except push the pedal into the carpet in order to shift. The clutch disc wasn't that worn out either. Now I have about 1.5" to 2" of threads left and the clutch releases perfectly, heck I actually had to loosen the adjustment up some so the pedal would release just before the half way point in the pedal travel and I still have an inch or so free play. The pedal pressure is much less also. The only thing I can think of at this point is that the fulcrum point of the bellcrank was changed and allowed for this easier pressure. I recommend it highly for the '64 and maybe the '63 or earlier vettes also.
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 7,117
Likes: 51
From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: Engine swap update (71zman)
Makes sense to change the top rod, I hadn't thought of that. I will look into a 66/67 part and let you know if it worked on a 60
bret
:yesnod:
bret
:yesnod:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 642
From: Bandera Texas
Re: Engine swap update (71zman)
Be carful here 71 zman. As I stated before in your other post, make sure your FLYWHEEL is for that ZZ4 motor.BAD VIBRATION can be had with wrong applications. And the clutch you have may assume you have the correct ZZ4 flywheel.......not a 1960 Corvette flywheel that was in the car at the beginning of your project.
For years, I have used GM parts with the engine in question. Every aftermarket product will work......but not as well as factory parts . I am talking about street application now. Racing is something all together different. Aftermarket clutches have a habit of lining up differently with the clutch linkages.
Good luck,
Jim
For years, I have used GM parts with the engine in question. Every aftermarket product will work......but not as well as factory parts . I am talking about street application now. Racing is something all together different. Aftermarket clutches have a habit of lining up differently with the clutch linkages.
Good luck,
Jim
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 7,117
Likes: 51
From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: Engine swap update (franko64)
Gotcha, and glad it worked for you. :thumbs: All my rod ends were elongated due to wear. What a difference taking out all the slop made! :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: CO
Re: Engine swap update (MasterDave)
Hi Dave,
In the next couple weeks, we'll be doing a swap over from my stock-ish 327 and clutch to a 406 w/ a Centerforce DF clutch and 400 flywheel.
I've never done anything like this before so bare with me here... I purchased an adjustable pivot ball, but do you think I'll still run into the same issue you did? Should I buy the same parts as you and where did you get them?
John
In the next couple weeks, we'll be doing a swap over from my stock-ish 327 and clutch to a 406 w/ a Centerforce DF clutch and 400 flywheel.
I've never done anything like this before so bare with me here... I purchased an adjustable pivot ball, but do you think I'll still run into the same issue you did? Should I buy the same parts as you and where did you get them?
John
Thread Starter
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 7,117
Likes: 51
From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: Engine swap update (CO_Sledgehammer)
By "the same issue" are you talking clutch rods? If so and yours are worn you may indeed have a problem finding one. I got my rods from Pacific Corvette 1-800-228-2857. Just called them. The clutch rods are for the 65-66 and the part #'s are in the AIM or you can get them from any vette source. GM changed these rods due to the bellcrank angle was off some causing too much pressure to be used. Mine works great with easy pressure and lots of adjustment is left. The old rod was at its limit of threads. Also the adjustable pivot ball is prolly a good idea. I however did not have an issue just using the stock pivot ball. Hope this helps.
