Help/Advice needed clutch install
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Plant City Fl
Help/Advice needed clutch install
I'm trying to line up the torque tube with the bellhousing and it's a little off. I was hoping the dowel rods would align it but can only get those within a 1/8-1/4 inch of their hole. The torque tube is only a 1/8-1/4 inch off to the right and high, but no matter how I move it it won't line up or even get closer. Using a c-clamp I can get the bottom of the torque tube within a 1/8 inch, but the top is still a 1.5 inches away. The measurements I took during disassembly weren't enough to align it. The input shaft is into the clutch plate, and it looks like its in far enough to be into the pilot bearing, so I don't think that's the issue. Could be wrong though. Once I get the torque tube bolted up/in with the bellhousing I'm good.
What should I do? Is anybody in San Antonio willing to help?
Any help, pics, advice or anything is appreciated. Thanks
What should I do? Is anybody in San Antonio willing to help?
Any help, pics, advice or anything is appreciated. Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
I'm trying to line up the torque tube with the bellhousing and it's a little off. I was hoping the dowel rods would align it but can only get those within a 1/8-1/4 inch of their hole. The torque tube is only a 1/8-1/4 inch off to the right and high, but no matter how I move it it won't line up or even get closer. Using a c-clamp I can get the bottom of the torque tube within a 1/8 inch, but the top is still a 1.5 inches away. The measurements I took during disassembly weren't enough to align it. The input shaft is into the clutch plate, and it looks like its in far enough to be into the pilot bearing, so I don't think that's the issue. Could be wrong though. Once I get the torque tube bolted up/in with the bellhousing I'm good.
What should I do? Is anybody in San Antonio willing to help?
Any help, pics, advice or anything is appreciated. Thanks
What should I do? Is anybody in San Antonio willing to help?
Any help, pics, advice or anything is appreciated. Thanks
You need to recheck the alignment of the clutch.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
That's my point, it should slide in....you should not have to pull it together. The fact that you used a c-clamp..pulling the bottom within 1/8", while the top is still 1.5" suggests a problem. Not being there to see your setup, I have no idea if the engine is properly supported, if the clutch is aligned right (and by what method), and what angle the torque tube is at. Back the torque tube off, and start from the beginning if you can't find anything obvious....i.e. the wire harness is causing an obstruction at the top..as mentioned by AllVette.
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
If there is no obstruction (I had the same problem with the wiring harness on the top, myself), then try jacking up the front of the oil pan to tilt the motor back a little bit. If you didn't support the engine it may have tilted forward on the mounts, causing the angle to be off now. Just a thought. Careful with the c-clamp, they are handy to gently guide the assembly in but if you're really forcing it then you could crack the cast aluminum bellhousing that you are using as leverage.
Be aware that the splines on the input shaft should be engaging the splines on the clutch smoothly. A little (a LITTLE) lube on the splines might help there to make sure they are meshing. If they are not meshing then it's not gonna move, period.
Dope
Be aware that the splines on the input shaft should be engaging the splines on the clutch smoothly. A little (a LITTLE) lube on the splines might help there to make sure they are meshing. If they are not meshing then it's not gonna move, period.
Dope
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
Doesn't really matter what angle the drivetrain is at while you're putting it together, as long as it fits together. Once you bolt the rear subframe back together everything will be lined up.
Dope
Dope
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Plant City Fl
I'm at wits end right now, don't want to mess it up. Just can't get the torque tube/trans/diff/rear susp to line up with each other.
Can I remove the torque tube from the transmission and install the torque tube to the bellhousing first, then go back back and reinstall the transmission to it? Or is that more hassle.
wvufan1965 giving you a call today
Can I remove the torque tube from the transmission and install the torque tube to the bellhousing first, then go back back and reinstall the transmission to it? Or is that more hassle.
wvufan1965 giving you a call today
7 days with no Vette, I would be going crazy... 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Plant City Fl
Sorry, long day that day. I double checked my clutch plate/pilot bearing alignment yesterday and its good. If I don't make good progress by the weekend than I will probably give you a call if that's still open?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: St. Petersburg Florida
