ooh now I'm reading on some other forums that this clutch kit (used in A LOT of stuff) may have been mis-packed with the wrong throw out, not far from when I bought it. nice. its been collecting dust way too long to return it..... hmmm.
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Yeah it sounds like the clutch isn't disengaging. Hopefully you can adjust some slack out of the linkage and won't have to drop the trans. to swap the throwout bearing. Loving the progress, by the way.
Well, so far what I've deduced is that a "flat diaphragm" kit came off, and a "raised diaphragm" kit went in. If I look up on Rock Auto a '79 Olds (which is what the bellhousing came off of, the 5-spd.) it shows the "flat" kit, and if I look up a '79 Pontiac (the trans itself) its the "raised" kit, which I got. Surely there isn't a difference between Olds and Pontiac here? The 5-speed bellhousing/fork setup different? Stumped. But yeah, I'll be checking it out.
found a helper and was able to adjust it out in the linkage. mostly. I'm still getting a very slight drag feel/sound on the clutch with it in but I'm not sure if maybe that's normal or not. Problem is I am almost out of threads on the rod. 
But its definitely not a show stopper. will look at finding a longer one (surely that's a thing) or even just a length of all-thread (?)
Still stumped why the replacement clutch kits would be listed different but whatever. Thought the BOP stuff was the same. Maybe the flywheels? *shrug*
But its definitely not a show stopper. will look at finding a longer one (surely that's a thing) or even just a length of all-thread (?)Still stumped why the replacement clutch kits would be listed different but whatever. Thought the BOP stuff was the same. Maybe the flywheels? *shrug*
If your helper pushes in the clutch pedal and you can turn the clutch disc with your fingertips, you should be good to go.
Went through some similar clutch issues with my kid's 80 K10. The bellhousing was cracked, so I bought a nice used one off Craigslist, same casting #, what could go wrong? Depending on what clutch was originally installed in that bellhousing there are different length pivots that the fork will ride on. Mine actually had too long of a pivot ball, so I got to pull a cast iron SM465/NP205 combo out for fun. Then I got to buy a new pivot because I scrapped the old bellhousing. It may not be your problem, but it may be worth checking. I found a guide list online for correct pivot/clutch type.
Looking at the '79 Pontiac service manual which was basically a small update to the '78, it specifies that clutches "will now be bent finger and the flat finger clutch is no longer used." No idea if Olds made the same statement, probably where the difference comes from.
OPGI makes a longer 7.5" (vs my 6") clutch rod. But they want $52 bucks for the thing. I mean, yeah its a pretty specific part but DAMN its a glorified bolt. Finding actual lengths on anything else is impossible. Looks like they're out there but no idea if any of it is the right size.
Going to make one last adjustment/check on it and see what else I can get done today.
OPGI makes a longer 7.5" (vs my 6") clutch rod. But they want $52 bucks for the thing. I mean, yeah its a pretty specific part but DAMN its a glorified bolt. Finding actual lengths on anything else is impossible. Looks like they're out there but no idea if any of it is the right size.
Going to make one last adjustment/check on it and see what else I can get done today.
Can you start it? If the clutch doesn't fully disengage, it will be difficult to put into gear.
Yes, you can make one out of all-thread; just round the end with a grinder.
Yes, you can make one out of all-thread; just round the end with a grinder.
can I start it lol
So, snafu'd. Water pump is about 1/4" shorter than the oem one. I should have put the pulleys on to check before it went in, but for some reason didn't bother. WP pulley is hitting on the balancer pulley face. Soooooo looks like that needs to happen. That's not that bad a job though. especially since I haven't filled it up with coolant yet.
Alternator on, wiring/vac lines/throttle hooked up. Water pump, pulleys/belts, radiator/hoses, fluids, and battery and should be there.
So, snafu'd.
Water pump is about 1/4" shorter than the oem one. I should have put the pulleys on to check before it went in, but for some reason didn't bother. WP pulley is hitting on the balancer pulley face. Soooooo looks like that needs to happen. That's not that bad a job though. especially since I haven't filled it up with coolant yet. Alternator on, wiring/vac lines/throttle hooked up. Water pump, pulleys/belts, radiator/hoses, fluids, and battery and should be there.
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