clutch adjustment problem

[panhead59]

I am installing a new motor in a 68 that I am refurbishing. It's a 1989 engine and I am using the original 3 speed tranny and 11" clutch. For some reason I cannot get the adjusting rod to adjust. It seems like it's too long. It's all hooked up but with adjusting nuts all the way toward the back of the truck, it's still too tight. I looked at the throwout bearing and everything looks right, but obviously something isn't. Any suggestions as what to check next? I should add- The old engine was/is a 1981. The flywheel was different and I changed it out for a new one. I bet the clutch and/or throwout bearing is different causinng it to not adjust correctly.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

There are 2 different lengths of TO brgs. The short brg goes with the "behive" type pressure plate where the fingers go forward to the outer area of the cover. The long TO brg. goes with the flat spring that has the fingers recessed parallel to the flywheel & disc.

[panhead59]

I am using all of the old clutch components. So same T O bearing that was being used. I'm gonna measure the width of new flywheel, that's the only part that's been changed. Tks for reply.

[panhead59]

Flywheels r same width. Parts books list a 11 and 12 " clutch for the 1981 350 engine. 11" being the heavy duty. Only 12" listed for a 1989 350. I have the 11". Could this be the problem ? I wonder what the difference is, maybe spring presure and a different theowout bearing.

[panhead59]

Auto zone says 81 and 89 uses same throw out bearing for 12" clutch. Gonna go pull tranny. Something is different. Fun fun. I'm getting to old for this on your back work !

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Sounds like something in the linkage. Could the Z bar location on the block be different?

[mongocanfly]

did you make sure the clutch fork is in the throwout bearing groove and not behind the bearing?..and is the fork snapped into the ball properly?...the clutch fork sticking out of the bellhousing and bellcrank should be roughly 90deg to the driveline in the relaxed position

[panhead59]

Problem solved. I had the pivot ball for the z bar in the wrong location. I had it in the threaded hole just above the oil filter. I was about to yank out the tranny (actually had the two bolts out, jack in place and had already given it a good kick.) It didn't budge. So I was removing the z bar thinking the pivot arm might have some tension on it and noticed the z bar looked a little crooked. That's when I noticed the other threaded bolt hole in the block about 3-4 inches toward the front. So I went back to the old engine and low and behold there is the bracket for the pivot ball. It moved the pivot ball about an inch forward, just what I needed for the adjustment to work properly. I had bought a new one cuzz the old pivot ball is actually rivited onto the bracket and it natuarally wouldn't unscrew. DUH. At least I found it before I wrestled with the tranny. No lift, so it ain't easy for a 60 yr. old doin' it on my back !!!!!! Thanks for all the replies, I was cussin myself for a minute!!!!

[mongocanfly]

glad you found it.....

[kwmech]

Nice you didn't have to wrestle out the trans again