C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Clutch Adjustment Problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 10:54 AM
  #1  
PinHead's Avatar
PinHead
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Default Clutch Adjustment Problems

I'm trying to adjust the clutch after putting all of the linkage back together (was in boxes when I bought the car) and the clutch will not adjust corectly. If I set the correct amount of freeplay then there doesn't seem to be enough tgravel ie the clutch will not engage when I push the pedal all the way to the floor. If I adjust it so the clutch engages then I have no freeplay and the pedal to floor distance is way too much about 8". I'm afraid the problem is the clutch fork post is not correct but I really don't want to pull the tranny to fix it. I was planning on driving the car this summer and doing an engine tranny swap next winter.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 12:20 PM
  #2  
TopGunn's Avatar
TopGunn
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Default

You're assumption sounds correct or a least a good possibility. You might be able to change the clutch pivot ball without completely removing the transmission. After it's disconnected you might be able to slide it back far enogh to change the pivot ball. I've never done it but I was tempted to try it last winter. Maybe someone else has.

Are you positive the throwout bearing is installed correctly in the fork?
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 12:46 PM
  #3  
PinHead's Avatar
PinHead
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Default

I'm not sure that the throwout bearing is installed right. Can I check that with the lower bell housing cover removed?
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 03:28 PM
  #4  
TopGunn's Avatar
TopGunn
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Default

You should be able to remove the boot around the clutch fork where it enters the bellhousing and get a look inside. If your 71 is like my 75, the spash guard on the lower bell housing is in the front and does not allow you to see the fork. Should look something like this:

Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 03:48 PM
  #5  
70vert's Avatar
70vert
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
Default

You will have to pull the tranny. You either have an incorrect clutch, t.o. bearing and/or pivot ball. No way to change any of them without removal. However, If you want to cheat, you could fabricate an extension onto the lower z-bar. This will give more throw but will also give a harder pedal. You can also try removing the clutch pedal stop rubber (it's good for an inch or so of pedal travel).
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 04:55 PM
  #6  
Artsvette73's Avatar
Artsvette73
Drifting
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
Default

I had the same problem. It was the incorrect pivot ball.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 09:24 PM
  #7  
PRNDL's Avatar
PRNDL
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Default

Bubba (that's me) has 2 workarounds. 1, I took the stock clutch rod and cut it in half, then screwed each half into a threaded piece I found at the hardware store. Instant clutchrod extension, lower thing in pic below.




Later, I bought a Mr Gasket adjustable clutch rod (part # around here somewhere... ) which is longer than stock and long enough.

Mr Gasket 2478


Last edited by PRNDL; Feb 27, 2007 at 09:28 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2007 | 11:28 AM
  #8  
PinHead's Avatar
PinHead
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Default

After doing some more checking it appears that it has the wrong pivit ball and the clutch linkage does not provide enough throw. Lenghting the push rod won't fix this it will just add to the throw distance not the total throw which is my problem. So I'm going to run it for a while with out any free play. I guess this will eventually cause my TH bearing to fail.
70vert is right I could lengthen the lower arm of the z-bar and get more travel. I could drill another hole in the bar and attach the extension with two bolts. I wonder if the z-bar is hardend steel might be tough to drill

Last edited by PinHead; Mar 1, 2007 at 11:48 AM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Clutch Adjustment Problems

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:07 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE