Trn ny problems 502 build
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: pa
Trn ny problems 502 build
Have 1970 that has a 502 dropped into it....engine runs great but cannot shift to 1st gear easily and reverse not without grinding grears. Picked car up from shop drove home 50 miles and have shifting problems. Trailer back to garage and today told that shifter difficulty is to be expected with all corvettes from this Era. Can't believe a speed shop that advertises engine/tyranny rebuilds as well as race cars can make such a statement. Had no shift problems with previous engine and had tyranny dropped when purchased and given healthy report. When mating a new engine to the transmission, is there any step that may cause this particular problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
The clutch is not fully releasing. The problem has nothing to do with "Corvettes from this era." It has to do with installation/adjustment errors caused by the shop. This is simply a matter of not paying attention to detail. Sloppy workmanship, inadequate skills for the task and dodging ownership of the problem are probably not anywhere on this shop's value statement, but their customers will surely attribute those qualities to the shop if they don't make this right.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
The clutch is not fully releasing. The problem has nothing to do with "Corvettes from this era." It has to do with installation/adjustment errors caused by the shop. This is simply a matter of not paying attention to detail. Sloppy workmanship, inadequate skills for the task and dodging ownership of the problem are probably not anywhere on this shop's value statement, but their customers will surely attribute those qualities to the shop if they don't make this right.
Shop got paid now they don't give a **** about resolving post install issues.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: pa
Not interested in bashing the shop. Reason for thread is to provide ideas that may correct this problem so that they may be presented to the shop for resolution. Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated.
steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
Need a little more info. Is it the same bellhousing, pivot ball, flywheel, clutch/throw out bearing as before. Did they install a true bronze, non magnetic pilot bushing? What has changed since the problem started. With the new engine, I would definitely check the bellhousing for cocentricity and parellelism. Since it is a 502, I am assuming you are using the bracket with a pivot ball since I don't think any 502's have the block pivot ball boss.
Beyond that, check to make sure the fork is angled forward when throw out bearing is being pushed against the pressure plate. If you can, I would install the clutch and bellhousing, and hook up all the clutch linkage. Use a dummy input shaft and have someone press the clutch pedal and see if you can rotate the input shaft. It is nonsense that you should accept poor shifting as your case is just one of poor clutch release. I had to work the geometry to get mine to shift right, but once fixed it is perfect, and mine was all aftermarket parts.
Beyond that, check to make sure the fork is angled forward when throw out bearing is being pushed against the pressure plate. If you can, I would install the clutch and bellhousing, and hook up all the clutch linkage. Use a dummy input shaft and have someone press the clutch pedal and see if you can rotate the input shaft. It is nonsense that you should accept poor shifting as your case is just one of poor clutch release. I had to work the geometry to get mine to shift right, but once fixed it is perfect, and mine was all aftermarket parts.
Last edited by 69ttop502; Oct 7, 2016 at 03:34 PM.
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
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: pa
Need a little more info. Is it the same bellhousing, pivot ball, flywheel, clutch/throw out bearing as before. Did they install a true bronze, non magnetic pilot bushing? What has changed since the problem started. With the new engine, I would definitely check the bellhousing for cocentricity and parellelism. Since it is a 502, I am assuming you are using the bracket with a pivot ball since I don't think any 502's have the block pivot ball boss.
Beyond that, check to make sure the fork is angled forward when throw out bearing is being pushed against the pressure plate. If you can, I would install the clutch and bellhousing, and hook up all the clutch linkage. Use a dummy input shaft and have someone press the clutch pedal and see if you can rotate the input shaft. It is nonsense that you should accept poor shifting as your case is just one of poor clutch release. I had to work the geometry to get mine to shift right, but once fixed it is perfect, and mine was all aftermarket parts.
Beyond that, check to make sure the fork is angled forward when throw out bearing is being pushed against the pressure plate. If you can, I would install the clutch and bellhousing, and hook up all the clutch linkage. Use a dummy input shaft and have someone press the clutch pedal and see if you can rotate the input shaft. It is nonsense that you should accept poor shifting as your case is just one of poor clutch release. I had to work the geometry to get mine to shift right, but once fixed it is perfect, and mine was all aftermarket parts.
Steve