[C2] New clutch problems
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
New clutch problems
I recently had a new clutch placed in my 1965 Stingray. I have to push the clutch really hard all the way to the floor to engage. I am only 5' 5" so this is not easy for me even with the seat all the way forward. I have four other manual transmission cars and none of them are this difficult to engage. There is also a loud vibrating sound when the car is in gear and worse if I lightly touch the clutch. If I put pressure on the gearshift, the vibration stops. None of my other manual transmission cars do this.
I took the car back to the repair shop that did the work; they told me that everyone was fine and things should improve after "breaking in" the clutch.
I have driven @ 200 miles since the clutch was replaced and there has been no improvement.
Any ideas what I may be able to do myself to adjust the clutch would be appreciated. The car is up in Prescott for the summer and there are not very many good options for repair shops up there.
Thanks.
I took the car back to the repair shop that did the work; they told me that everyone was fine and things should improve after "breaking in" the clutch.
I have driven @ 200 miles since the clutch was replaced and there has been no improvement.
Any ideas what I may be able to do myself to adjust the clutch would be appreciated. The car is up in Prescott for the summer and there are not very many good options for repair shops up there.
Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 392
From: Australia
Ok got the video to load and that’s not good at all !
Something inside the bell housing is hitting something or rattling when you depress the clutch.
Almost sounds like the pressure plate is damaged, or not snugged up right, the clutch fork and throw out bearing are in wrong (can happen) or (from your description) something is warped.
That’s all I can think of.
So no adjustment is going to fix that, it won’t go away on its own and it’s definitely not normal.
Something inside the bell housing is hitting something or rattling when you depress the clutch.
Almost sounds like the pressure plate is damaged, or not snugged up right, the clutch fork and throw out bearing are in wrong (can happen) or (from your description) something is warped.
That’s all I can think of.
So no adjustment is going to fix that, it won’t go away on its own and it’s definitely not normal.
Last edited by anyChevy; Yesterday at 01:33 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,658
Likes: 3,665
From: Central Arkansas
Clutches don’t break in, in a manner that will address those issues. What brand clutch was installed? Is there a lot of free play with the pedal at rest? If so the clutch rod can be adjusted to reduce it to get the engagement point off the floorboard. But it won’t help the pedal effort.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 2,623
From: Really Central IL Illinois
What was the reason to replace the clutch? Did it operate properly with the old clutch? What brand and style clutch? Did they replace the bushing in the crankshaft?
It won't get better with miles IMHO.
Ron
It won't get better with miles IMHO.
Ron
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 15,828
Likes: 90
From: Fairfield, VA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 988
Likes: 484
I had the sleeve of the front bearing retainer snap off and it was riding along with the throw out bearing. It wasn't making that type of sound, but it sounded more like a bad bearing. Yours sounds like the throw out is hitting the p-plate fingers, meaning it's not flat, it's likely not seated in the fork correctly. Could have snapped off one of the spring steel retainers. Either way, it's gotta come out and inspected.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 647
From: Presque Isle WI
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If I were to make a bet on it, I'd say the bearing is not placed in the fork properly, or the fork is bad and thus deflecting (allowing the for to contact the fingers on the pressure plate). The fork not being properly installed on the ball, or the fork height not being properly adjusted, will cause an increase in pedal pressure. Either way, it needs to come back apart.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
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
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
Here is what I know about the new clutch that was placed. I was told the old clutch was not the correct clutch for the car.
I brought the car in because it became almost impossible to shift; I could not get in reverse or third gear at all. The mechanic told me the problem was the clutch. Despite the other issues I am now having, once I engage the clutch, shifting is smooth between all gears.
Thanks for the comments. Sounds like I am going to have to find someone up in Prescott to take a look; I really do not want to drive my Corvette back down to Phoenix in the summer!
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,073
Likes: 4,201
From: US-PNW
Sounds like I am going to have to find someone up in Prescott to take a look; I really do not want to drive my Corvette back down to Phoenix in the summer![/QUOTE]
@Vet65te might know of someone local to you.
@Vet65te might know of someone local to you.
