I FINALLY have the clutch perfect on my 72. Saga started last June when I decided to replace the clutch on my 60m mile car. Without going into details, I replaced it twice as I kept having issues, and along the way replaced related items piecemeal. The lesson learned is that the cost of the parts is pretty small compared to the hassle of the labor, unless your into lying on your back on the garage floor. My recommendation now is that if you are replacing a clutch, do it right and do it once by replacing ALL of the following:
- pressure plate and clutch disc
- flywheel
​​​​​​- pilot bearing (be sure it is sintered bronze meaning magnet won’t stick to it)
- throw out bearing and clutch fork
- transmission mount
- motor mounts
All of these affect its function. I would also recommend cleaning and rebuilding the shifter especially if you have the stock shifter. If
the clutch needs to be replaced, the shifter likely needs attention too. Same with the clutch linkage.
My trans mount looked OK but it turns out it had collapsed making shifter adjustment difficult. One of my motor mounts was broken and this couldn’t be seen until it was removed.

According to the many “experts” online, my flywheel looked fine and the “minor discoloration wouldn’t affect it. Don’t believe it. Get a new one; it’s cheap relatively speaking.

As the old adage goes: If you don’t have time to do it right, what make you think you have time to do it twice? Just do it right and you won’t be sorry.

 

Good Morning Lark327,

Been down that road a couple of times, one with a clutch like you described. I'm currently chasing rear fiber optic repairs on my '69 and it is looking like splice attempts are just not going my way. Looks like "doing it right" might be a full replacement of my LH/RH tail light fiber optic cables. Good advice about do it right and you won't be sorry.

What also caught my eye is your location, Roselle, IL. My '69 was delivered to Dick Wickstrom Chevrolet in Roselle, IL some time after October 31, 1968 which is mu build date. The dealership is still in business at 555 E Irving Park Road. I did reach out to them to see if they might have historical info on my VIN but did not get very far. No records at Wickstrom Chevrolet exist that far back and they would not be able to provide original owner information due to privacy concerns even if they did have records that far back.

 

I have actually retired and moved to Wilmington, NC. But lives in Roselle for 40 years until I retired. Bought 4 minivans from Wickstrom. In the mid 80’s, I was restoring a 67 Impala SS and needed the headlight eyebrow trim which is always dented on those cars. I searched all over and couldn’t find any. No aftermarket stuff was avaIlable yet. On a whim when I had one of the vans in for service, I stopped by the parts desk and asked if it was possible that they could see if any were still in the system. Sure enough he found them and ordered them from a warehouse somewhere and I got new old stock moldings for $14 each! You never know if you don’t ask.

 

If you have a difficult time with fiberoptic cable... check old cadiallacs or buick wagons from the early 70's.

 

I have fiber optic cables from a donor '69 Vette out of California. Appreciate the suggestion though.