1970 Stiff Clutch
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
1970 Stiff Clutch
Hi guys, first post. I'm not a tech guy so I can't throw around the jargon, but hoping someone might have some insight for me. I've got a numbers 1970 L46 with an M21 Muncie...the car is mostly original and everything works very well...except that the clutch return from the floor is very difficult to manage compared to others I've driven (including a 1976 L82 I own with an M21 BW). The return from the floor of the pedal is not smooth but rather jerky and very heavy. I can deal with a heavy clutch, that's not the problem...it's the jerky movement of the pedal as it can cause very sudden disengagement of the clutch, even with my heavy size 13 on it. It also "squeaks" as it moves out some, sounds like metal on metal. Almost seems like it needs to be lubed somehow.
Like I said, I don't know the guts of transmissions well, I'm no mechanic, so I hope my little spiel makes sense to someone. Anyone have any advice? Thanks.
Like I said, I don't know the guts of transmissions well, I'm no mechanic, so I hope my little spiel makes sense to someone. Anyone have any advice? Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Sounds like the pedal pivot might be worn and the pedal is rubbing on the shaft. You need to look up under the dash and see if you can tell if its a problem inside the cabin or outside under the hood.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: SAN CLEMENTE CALIFORNIA
It sounds like you have a broken spring clip on the fork that moves the throw out bearing. this would allow your fork to bind and the pressure on the bearing will be uneven making all kinds of problems
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Thanks guys. Like I said, the car really drives very well, the clutch grabs like it should, there are no bizarre noises from the drivetrain...the clutch itself is very strong...the pedal is just springy and creaky (probably more accurate than squeaky like I said before), doesn't travel smoothly like my 1976 does. I'll start with the pedal pivot and go from there. Are there lubrication points on the linkage from the pedal I should consider?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
I have a diagram of the parts that make up the linkage from pedal to to clutch fork...is the "pedal pivot" known by another name? Also by shaft do you mean cross shaft? Learning slowly here, thanks.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
I was just poking around under my hood based on Roger's comment above and discovered that the linkage is very, very loose where the clutch fork rod fits into the z-bar. It is completely stock from what I can tell. I can move this end of the clutch fork rod at the insert point into the z-bar with one finger if I want...back and forth, up and down, you name it. Pedal to z-bar rod is a little loose at the insert / pivot point too, but not nearly as bad, takes some effort to move that. Thoughts?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Finally got the SpeedDirect rod end clutch linkage installed on the 1970...wow. It was so bad before and it is so good now. It's a fantastic little kit. Discovered it here on the forum in various threads, so thanks.
Last edited by Brcmpbl; Jul 26, 2012 at 01:08 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
Chances are the nylon bushings at the top of the clutch and brake pedal are worn out too.. It's a bit of a pain in these cars , remove the pedals from the hanger and replace the bushings.