Clutch recommendations - Need NOW!!

LannyL81 · 11-23-05, 02:16 PM

I posted my problem on the L81 Registgry but got zero replies, so trying here.

Story summary: RAM PowerGrip clutch just would not work, hard to shift, reverse grinds, at end of adjustment rod. Told that the RAM pressure plate fingers were at the wrong height...would never work. Have taken clutch out.

Now I need to know what to put in...what brand will work. I have one response each for LUK and Centerforce Dual.....want to be sure to get one that works this time....taking trans out / in ...not my idea of fun....hands and back sore....wife really mad as I am spending too much time / money on Corvette.

HELP!!

LannyL81

JohnZ · 11-23-05, 06:58 PM

Get the LuK clutch set made specifically for your application - try www.dialaclutch.com .

lone73 · 11-25-05, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LannyL81

...what brand will work. I have one response each for LUK and Centerforce Dual.....want to be sure to get one that works this time....taking trans out / in ...not my idea of fun....hands and back sore....wife really mad as I am spending too much time / money on Corvette.
LannyL81

I believe complaining is part of the job description of "wife". Those that cave in to the abuse drive minivans or sport utilities. And the really bad ones do it and smile about it, even think that they like it.

I'm surprised to hear that the RAM did not work for you though I've never used the brand personally, have heard of several that did with acceptable results. Is there not an O'Reilly's near you? I just replaced mine in my '73 with their stock brand and it is fine. Had a stock one before that and had no troubles as well. I can post the brand of that clutch in about 9 hours (as soon as I get home) if you want it. Let me know...
good luck
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LannyL81 · 11-27-05, 02:22 PM

I give up on why this RAM clutch does not work.....ordered the LuK from the link above. Good price....with free shipping...sure hope this works. Anyone have any idea what the mimimun thickness is for the flyweel? I have also ordered a flywheel shim....0.025" thick....heck of alot cheaper than a new flywheel...just in case I need it. Oh and I also ordered a replacement pivot ball for the clutch arm.

Will find out maybe next weekend...............

lone73: you have the two Corvettes that I like most....the 96 CE LT4 and a '73. I've got the 96, but ended up with this 81 instead of the 73...could never find the one for me.

Later,
LannyL81

kdlp · 11-30-05, 01:52 PM

You might also give the McLeod brand a try. I read somewhere that they have a lot of different sbc applications (depending on your driving style).

kdlp

pgtr · 12-01-05, 09:52 PM

I'll second the McLeod mention above.

Artsvette73 · 12-01-05, 10:13 PM

I have a centerforce dual friction in my 73,

with a tremec behind it very satisfied with it.

LannyL81 · 12-10-05, 08:06 AM

Got the LuK clutch kit. Compared the pressure plates of the RAM PowerGrip and the LuK....what a difference. The LuK spring fingers are about 1/4" higher than the RAM...hence the source of my problem as to why reverse was grinding...not enough throw-out bearing travel to get the RAM to release.

I also went ahead and installed the taller clutch arm pivot stud that I got from LuK. I think using it provides a bit more throw-out bearing travel. I also used the flywheel shim..just in case.

Transmission is back in car and will complete putting all the parts back in today. But I think I have found the problem and there should be driving my '81 in the very near future for me.

Anyone want to buy a new RAM PowerGrip clutch kit? I only managed to put 7 miles on it. Half price of new.

Later,
LannyL81

fine69 · 12-10-05, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LannyL81

Got the LuK clutch kit. Compared the pressure plates of the RAM PowerGrip and the LuK....what a difference. The LuK spring fingers are about 1/4" higher than the RAM...hence the source of my problem as to why reverse was grinding...not enough throw-out bearing travel to get the RAM to release.

I also went ahead and installed the taller clutch arm pivot stud that I got from LuK. I think using it provides a bit more throw-out bearing travel. I also used the flywheel shim..just in case.

Transmission is back in car and will complete putting all the parts back in today. But I think I have found the problem and there should be driving my '81 in the very near future for me.

Anyone want to buy a new RAM PowerGrip clutch kit? I only managed to put 7 miles on it. Half price of new.

Later,
LannyL81

Hi Lanny,

Thanks for the update... great information!

I installed a LUK clutch last month while my engine was out, and experienced adjustment problems you've described. I finally got mine to work - but just barely, and have not been comfortable about this. I removed the innermost swivel nut, and then adjusted the outer swivel nut all the way to the end of the clutch push rod. I could not get the clutch to work otherwise.

Would you happen to have the part number of the taller clutch arm pivot stud that you got from LUK? I want to order one right away.

Thanks again for the useful info!

Ralph

LannyL81 · 12-11-05, 08:28 AM

Ralph,

LannyL81 · 12-11-05, 08:35 AM

Ralph,
The Luk part number for the taller pivot stud is LAC108. I purchased the part from Dial-A-clutch (dialaclutch.com) and it was $6.12. I also called them and asked about it regarding the difference in height. I was told that this is the GM replacement pivot stud that they have been selling for years. He (Tom) did not know about any height differences. Told me he would call LuK and ask them and let me know....never heard back.
But let me tell you that that pivot stud makes the difference. I got my car all back together and have lots of adjustment rod left, the shifting throws are as easy as slicing through hot butter! I believe that if I had replaced the pivot stud then the RAM PowerGrip clutch would have worked as well...which would explain why others have been able to use the RAM clutch on their Corvettes. If it wasn't such a pain to get the trans out and back in I would replaced the LuK clutch with the RAM, but just not going to.

To bad you have to remove the trans to replace the pivot stud...or at least pull the trans back a few inches to get to it.

Good luck,
Lanny

JohnZ · 12-11-05, 08:26 PM

The "long" (1-1/2") pivot stud is GM #3729000; it was used beginning in 1957 through 1981 except for a couple of years in the late 70's when it was replaced by a shorter one (1-3/8"), then they went back to the #3729000 in production, AND as the service replacement for ALL years, including those when they used the "short" one. The "short" one lacked adequate long-term adjustment capability in the field, so they cancelled it for both production and service.

fine69 · 12-11-05, 09:54 PM

Lanny and John,

You guys are great. Hopefully, this will fix my clutch adjustment problems.

Thanks!

Ralph

fine69 · 12-23-05, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LannyL81

Ralph,
.....The Luk part number for the taller pivot stud is LAC108. I purchased the part from Dial-A-clutch (dialaclutch.com) and it was $6.12. I also called them and asked about it regarding the difference in height. ...
.....To bad you have to remove the trans to replace the pivot stud...or at least pull the trans back a few inches to get to it.......

Good luck,
Lanny

Lanny,

One of my buddies happened to have a longer pivot stud that he didn't need when he installed his LUK clutch in his '68 RS Camaro. We pulled the tranny (yep), replaced the stud... and that did the trick! There's plenty of room for adjustment now!

It's a good thing we pulled the tranny as I did NOT install the throwout bearing correctly on the clutch fork and it cracked. That has also been replaced with the steel variety.

Thanks again for the helpful post!

Ralph