1993 clutch/flywheel replacement
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
1993 clutch/flywheel replacement
Hi,
I'm usually in the c3 forum, but the other night my brother smoked his clutch in his '93. We're going to be replacing the clutch, and I feel the flywheel is going to be junk and possibly the throwout bearing.
He was driving on the highway home from the beach and the clutch started slipping. He got almost all the way home and the clutch finally gave out to the point where the car wouldn't move anymore, the engine just reved like it was in neutral. The clutch got so hot that it was smoking and some black "tar" like substance dripped out of the bellhousing and puddled onto the ground. I have no idea what it was.
So if anyone has a recommendation on where to get a good replacement flywheel/clutch set, that would be great. And any tips on how to change it, since we'll be changing it on our backs in his garage.
Here's a pic of our cars:
I'm usually in the c3 forum, but the other night my brother smoked his clutch in his '93. We're going to be replacing the clutch, and I feel the flywheel is going to be junk and possibly the throwout bearing.
He was driving on the highway home from the beach and the clutch started slipping. He got almost all the way home and the clutch finally gave out to the point where the car wouldn't move anymore, the engine just reved like it was in neutral. The clutch got so hot that it was smoking and some black "tar" like substance dripped out of the bellhousing and puddled onto the ground. I have no idea what it was.
So if anyone has a recommendation on where to get a good replacement flywheel/clutch set, that would be great. And any tips on how to change it, since we'll be changing it on our backs in his garage.
Here's a pic of our cars:
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 190
From: Indiana PA
How many miles on the car? The OEM dual mass flywheel is about impossible to find. If you toasted it good or its high mileage, you may need to consider converting to a single mass flywheel.
The tar like substance could be fluid from the flywheel apparently they have some internal components that can melt?? Not 100% on this but I do remember something about it from another posting a while back. Or it could be the former clutch disc, but I doubt it. I've seen a few smoked clutches (a guy did one in, in about 900 miles in a Nissan Frontier
) and it did not melt.
Don't bet on the throwout bearing being bad. The OEM bearing even with 100K on it maybe better than a brand new parts store made in China POS. I personally would stay away from parts store clutch kits, they are CHEAP for a reason. I would not want to do the job more than once, or pay someone to do it more than once.
You may want to call/email Jim at Power Torque Systems.
He knows/has a ton of info and parts for the clutch/transmission systems for these cars.
http://powertorquesystems.com/
I'd make sure the hydraulic system is 100% as well.
You may also want to check out Carolina Clutches as well.
http://www.carolinaclutch.com/Conten...te-lt.htm.aspx
Good Luck
The tar like substance could be fluid from the flywheel apparently they have some internal components that can melt?? Not 100% on this but I do remember something about it from another posting a while back. Or it could be the former clutch disc, but I doubt it. I've seen a few smoked clutches (a guy did one in, in about 900 miles in a Nissan Frontier
) and it did not melt. Don't bet on the throwout bearing being bad. The OEM bearing even with 100K on it maybe better than a brand new parts store made in China POS. I personally would stay away from parts store clutch kits, they are CHEAP for a reason. I would not want to do the job more than once, or pay someone to do it more than once.
You may want to call/email Jim at Power Torque Systems.
He knows/has a ton of info and parts for the clutch/transmission systems for these cars.
http://powertorquesystems.com/
I'd make sure the hydraulic system is 100% as well.
You may also want to check out Carolina Clutches as well.
http://www.carolinaclutch.com/Conten...te-lt.htm.aspx
Good Luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
The black tarry goo WAS your (dual mass) flywheel.
contact SPEC clutches; they can supply a clutch and flywheel matched to any driving style and intended usage. I use one of their lightweight billet steel flywheels and Stage 3 plus pressure plate and disc; I am extremely happy with the combination, but your wants / needs may differ.
contact SPEC clutches; they can supply a clutch and flywheel matched to any driving style and intended usage. I use one of their lightweight billet steel flywheels and Stage 3 plus pressure plate and disc; I am extremely happy with the combination, but your wants / needs may differ.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
The black tarry goo WAS your (dual mass) flywheel.
contact SPEC clutches; they can supply a clutch and flywheel matched to any driving style and intended usage. I use one of their lightweight billet steel flywheels and Stage 3 plus pressure plate and disc; I am extremely happy with the combination, but your wants / needs may differ.
contact SPEC clutches; they can supply a clutch and flywheel matched to any driving style and intended usage. I use one of their lightweight billet steel flywheels and Stage 3 plus pressure plate and disc; I am extremely happy with the combination, but your wants / needs may differ.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Thanks guys. We got everything apart tonight. Looks like the tar did leak out from the flywheel. clutch and pressure plate are also smoked as I thought, and the throwout bearing is missing half the ball bearings.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
We will change that out too, but I'm not a fan of the roller bearing type. when they fail they take your input shaft with them. There's tons of guys over on LS1tech looking for input shafts all the time because GM went to the roller type bearing with the T56 transmissions.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee,Ga
Word to the wise. Whatever you buy be sure to read everything!!!
Bolts may be different, and torque may also be different.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 190
From: Indiana PA
http://powertorquesystems.com/Corvet...ilPBFluted.htm
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
I would use the bushing type a GIT-R-DONE, fluted one at that.
http://powertorquesystems.com/Corvet...ilPBFluted.htm
http://powertorquesystems.com/Corvet...ilPBFluted.htm
and I can't find the sticky about clutch replacement
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
I just saw you had it already posted, Can I buy them direct or through who?
Last edited by corvette95; Aug 11, 2012 at 05:23 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Actually, there's fluted and "square". Bill @ ZFDoc recommends the fluted. I've never heard of needle-bearing pilots either. Since Bill's the expert and never mentioned this, I'm skeptical.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
note weights as externally balanced
Hi qwank
If not too late, another suggestion.
Take note of the weights in the outer rim of the existing flywheel and place them exactly on the new one -- as the LT1 engines are externally balanced via the flywheel weights. Otherwise, you may wind up with a vibration at various RPMs.
Also, the dual-mass flywheels are amazing at dampening the gear shifting torque with a non-spring dampened clutch disc and were specifically added to the ZF tranny to dampen tranny vibration/variations in rotational torque. Wereas a solid flywheel and spring-dampened clutch disc will be different so be sure to anticipate and advise the differences (e.g. may sound like marbles with non-dual-mass flywheel).
If not too late, another suggestion.
Take note of the weights in the outer rim of the existing flywheel and place them exactly on the new one -- as the LT1 engines are externally balanced via the flywheel weights. Otherwise, you may wind up with a vibration at various RPMs.
Also, the dual-mass flywheels are amazing at dampening the gear shifting torque with a non-spring dampened clutch disc and were specifically added to the ZF tranny to dampen tranny vibration/variations in rotational torque. Wereas a solid flywheel and spring-dampened clutch disc will be different so be sure to anticipate and advise the differences (e.g. may sound like marbles with non-dual-mass flywheel).
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Hi qwank
If not too late, another suggestion.
Take note of the weights in the outer rim of the existing flywheel and place them exactly on the new one -- as some LT1 engines are externally balanced via the flywheel weights. Otherwise, you may wind up with a vibration at various RPMs.
Also, the dual-mass flywheels are amazing at dampening the gear shifting torque with a non-spring dampened clutch disc and were specifically added to the ZF tranny to dampen tranny vibration/variations in rotational torque. Wereas a solid flywheel and spring-dampened clutch disc will be different so be sure to anticipate and advise the differences (e.g. may sound like marbles with non-dual-mass flywheel).
If not too late, another suggestion.
Take note of the weights in the outer rim of the existing flywheel and place them exactly on the new one -- as some LT1 engines are externally balanced via the flywheel weights. Otherwise, you may wind up with a vibration at various RPMs.
Also, the dual-mass flywheels are amazing at dampening the gear shifting torque with a non-spring dampened clutch disc and were specifically added to the ZF tranny to dampen tranny vibration/variations in rotational torque. Wereas a solid flywheel and spring-dampened clutch disc will be different so be sure to anticipate and advise the differences (e.g. may sound like marbles with non-dual-mass flywheel).
(except for the word in bold)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
My brother didn't want to wait the 10+ days for a used dual mass flywheel or spend the extra on the related parts, so he ordered a kit from Carolina Clutch. The parts should be in today. Hopefully the job will be done by Sunday night 
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 670
Likes: 56
Lots of good advise here. You should check your clutch slave to see if it is leaking. Check the fluid reservoir near the brake booster (right under the computer). I experienced almost the same thing as your brother. Clutch started slipping, kept getting worse till I got home. Looked under the car, dark fluid was dripping out. What happened was the seal in the clutch slave blew out and sprayed fluid all over the clutch and flywheel. Both were toast after that, from the slipping and burning. My fluid reservoir was almost dry. Good luck.
I also used Carolina clutch, a little pricey but good stuff, very happy with them.
I also used Carolina clutch, a little pricey but good stuff, very happy with them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california