I guess I should first say this question is about my 68 chevelle. I posted on Team chevelle but due to liking my 69 Camaro more-- spending way more time here (with great results)--- I am positing this question here as well. My 68 SS has a 466HP stroked 396. I got about 3500 miles out of my last good Hays clutch. It started shifting poorly and so I pulled the trans. The new clutch and plate were smoked. I put in one of those fancy paddles on one side and clutch material on the other clutches. I had the 4speed gone through and all was well but one bearing. Back in it all went. Now 300 miles later it seems to be “grabby” and “jerky” from a dead stop. I shifts ok but does grind on the down shifts from time to time if I am banging on it (like a bad sync). It also seems to have a small front seal leak now as well. Now I should say I am not gentle on this thing but I don’t OVERLY abuse it either. So is the Bell housing out of alignment? Did the leak smoke the new clutch? Is it not releasing all the way and burning these things up? I am getting tired of pulling this thing. Thoughts? Thx for the help…

could be a combination, bell housing alignment is a common problem esp with aftermarket bell housings (Lakewood, etc.) A misalignment can cause the input shaft to not be 'free' - do you have any trouble getting the tranny into gear from neutral?

The front leak can mess up a clutch quick too, but shouldn't cause it not to release all the way. -Dan

300 miles and problems - Misalignment is evident with any amount of power application noted by vibration and of course gets worse with use and includes grabbing and loss of synchronization as the transmission bearings wear very fast particularly the Input Main bearings and the transmissions Release Bearing Collar takes a beating. A worn Release Bearing Collar will prevent the bearing from sliding and the clutch will grab.

Generally any manually subject to a misalign Bell Housing will have to be torn down, inspected, the Bearings and Syncros replaced and the Release Bearing Collar welded and lathed or replaced.

Also ensure the Fork Pivot Ball is located correctly - This can cause the clutch to grab and damage the Release Bearing Collar without the vibration symptom of a misaligned Bell Housing.

You would be surprised the amount of Oil a Clutch disk can take before glazing, causing the clutch to smoke and slip – Plus the smell of an Oil Soaked Burnt Disk is Obvious.

I am not a fan of those fancy clutch discs for street use. Yes, they are lighter in weight, rotating weight actually, but If you don't run it at the strip... who cares ? I prefer a stock style disc with a lot of pad to wear out !

I'm also not a fan of fancy clutches for street use.

...so are we saying the stock bell may need to be adjusted with missalign pegs? I have to pull it out either way to fix the gasket. Could be the clutch is just no good for street use? I dont know. I will yank it and see one more time. Getting to be a pain

could be a combination, bell housing alignment is a common problem esp with aftermarket bell housings (Lakewood, etc.) A misalignment can cause the input shaft to not be 'free' - do you have any trouble getting the tranny into gear from neutral?

The front leak can mess up a clutch quick too, but shouldn't cause it not to release all the way. -Dan


bit tough from time to time but not to bad.

""If your downshifting all the time you are killing your clutches that way. Ditch the junk paddle clutches and use the Centerforce Clutch. If its getting grabby its also time to look into the way you drive it out of the gates. Also if your one of those guys that drives around with your foot on the clutch pedal stop that too. Anything else I can help with? I drove my 600 plus HP GS around with a muncie and a cennterforce for over 5000 passes on the track and 25000 miles on the street with no failures""

""I have a stick shift in about every car I own and with those simple rules even my kids dont ruin clutches....Anyone that ran against me over the years knew I knew what Im talking about with a stick car""

Here is the "help" i got on team chevelle...now I know why I hang around here. bummer. Just needed some help, got a lecture



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