Clutch Kit, Looking for suggestions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Central IA
Clutch Kit, Looking for suggestions
I've not ever done this before and am looking for any pointers that can help out.
I need to put a clutch kit in my 68 with 350 horsepower 327 and standard 4 speed. I see just about all of the suppliers carry this. Long term plans I don't expect to get over 400 HP. With this in mind, should I just get a clutch kit anywhere, or any of them a little better than the others? They seem to run about $185, or I can get one from a O'reiley's locally for $100 - seems cheap???
Also, while the tranmission is coming out, are there any other parts I should get ahead of time that I'll need, or any other work that would be easy to do?
I plan to go ahead and clean up the driveshaft and repaint. I have the chassis service manual.
I need to put a clutch kit in my 68 with 350 horsepower 327 and standard 4 speed. I see just about all of the suppliers carry this. Long term plans I don't expect to get over 400 HP. With this in mind, should I just get a clutch kit anywhere, or any of them a little better than the others? They seem to run about $185, or I can get one from a O'reiley's locally for $100 - seems cheap???
Also, while the tranmission is coming out, are there any other parts I should get ahead of time that I'll need, or any other work that would be easy to do?
I plan to go ahead and clean up the driveshaft and repaint. I have the chassis service manual.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,291
Likes: 493
From: Salmon Arm, BC
If I was you I'd stick with just a stock replacement clutch. You can read on this forum all the guys that have put superduty hi-performance clutches in their cars, and have had lots of problems. Your 327/400hp (future) should be just fine with that clutch,as long as you stay away from sticky tires at the dragstrip. Make sure you replace the throwout bearing, and also checkout the pivot knuckle (the correct name escapes me right now) that the clutch fork pivots on. You may also want to teardown and inspect the z-bar for the clutch operation (rebuild kits are available)......its a good time to do this.
When assembling you put a very small amount of lube on the surface the throwout bearing rides on, as well as all pivot points. When assembling the clutch/pressure plate ensure the clutch disc is facing the correct way, and use a tool to ensure alignment of the clutch disc and the pilot bushing/bearing. As your starting to tighten down the pressure plate its a good idea to lift the back of the alignment tool, as they don't fit very tightly and have a tendancy to sag. This helps prevent frustration when your trying to install the tranny and it just won't go
Good luck, and if you have any troubles just come back to the forum....lots of good people and info here
When assembling you put a very small amount of lube on the surface the throwout bearing rides on, as well as all pivot points. When assembling the clutch/pressure plate ensure the clutch disc is facing the correct way, and use a tool to ensure alignment of the clutch disc and the pilot bushing/bearing. As your starting to tighten down the pressure plate its a good idea to lift the back of the alignment tool, as they don't fit very tightly and have a tendancy to sag. This helps prevent frustration when your trying to install the tranny and it just won't go
Good luck, and if you have any troubles just come back to the forum....lots of good people and info here
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 291
Likes: 15
From: Virginia Beach VA
I put a Luk RepSet in my '69 with no troubles. I believe you may need the LuK RepSet 04-021 Application 1968 Chevrolet Corvette - 8 Cylinder, 327" I'm sure other people will have other suggestions as well.
Last edited by A8skyhawk; Jun 18, 2009 at 11:12 PM.
