Mcloud Shield, CLUTCH FORK BALL HEIGHT

[Kevin Hebert]

Have TKO m600 in big block 69 camaro. Clutch pedal was ok up high but seems to be going way past dissengagement. Ball for cluthchfork is adjustable. Have bellhousing out. Can anybody tell me what hight measuring with a straight edge from enginge surface side the ball stud should be at....All factory clutch linkage. Tranny came with all parts in Classic Chevy complete kit. Thanks Kevin

[Kevin Hebert]

Corrections, I believe it's a lakewood housing! The one Classic Chevy recomends

[Chevy]

Kevin,
You should have gotten a folded 4 page sheet from Classic Chevy labelled "IMPORTANT" on both the top and bottom. On the second page, under "HELPFUL HINTS" for General Motors Application, figure 2 a shows you how it should be set up. In the text below it describes it as well. Basically, use the adjustable ball to adjust for different throwout bearing, clutch, etc thickness, and make sure the fork is angled slightly toward the engine. It's tough to give you a measurement since these things can vary. It's a lot more clear if you can look at the illustration.

If you did not get this sheet, let me know and i will scan it and post it on my web site.

Good luck!
Paul

[Kevin Hebert]

Paul Thanks for responding. I don't have a four pager?? I do remember seeing an illistration on the clutch rod side needing to be 5-7 degrees forward. I am guessing to the eye this would be slightly moret forward than straight? If all else fails was planning on putting the bellhousing in and with clutch alighnment tool trying to sdjust till it feels right. Yhis may not be a good approach?
Do you know where I could get the correct dial indicater to check the alignment as this tranny is very hard shifting as well. It's mostly me used to a muncie!!!! I am using the blowshield that doesn't require a measurment but givin the work to getthis tranny out with axhaust & on my back I would like to know its right on. Thank You Kevin

[Vegas69]

Been through all of this recently. Jim over at classic chevy is the man with bellhousing alignment. The key is to find your high and low spot on the bellhousing. Don't worry about any other measurments. Find the high or low and mark it, then turn the engine until you find the opposite and mark it. The spec is .005 meaning your high and low can be .010 apart because you divide it. If it's out of spec you have to get adjustable bellhousing studs that will move it the distance you need it. That being said I could only get mine to .0055. A hair out of spec and I still had a hell of a time getting my tranny seated. It was the tranny snout/ bellhousing that caused me the problems. It's such a tight fit even out of the car. You can have it dead nuts and still have problems. I was using a quick time bellhousing maybe yours isn't as snug.
When it comes to pivot ball height. My Centerforce clutch came with the spec for the ball stud height. I had to use an adjustable ball stud. I would also use a stock GM clutch fork. I used the spec centerforce gave me and it seems perfect.

[Chevy]

Paul Thanks for responding. I don't have a four pager?? I do remember seeing an illistration on the clutch rod side needing to be 5-7 degrees forward. I am guessing to the eye this would be slightly moret forward than straight? If all else fails was planning on putting the bellhousing in and with clutch alighnment tool trying to sdjust till it feels right. Yhis may not be a good approach?
Do you know where I could get the correct dial indicater to check the alignment as this tranny is very hard shifting as well. It's mostly me used to a muncie!!!! I am using the blowshield that doesn't require a measurment but givin the work to getthis tranny out with axhaust & on my back I would like to know its right on. Thank You Kevin

Actually Kevin i have some pictures that might be usefull to you on my blog:

http://www.sccacamaro.com/2005/08/19/summer-2005/

As you can see, all you need is a plunger-type dial indicator with a magnetic base. It'll take awhile to adjust it but it just takes some patience. My Lakewood scattershield suffered 20 years of abuse but it had only 0.004 total run-out. Make sure you don't have any paint or powder coating on the mating surface of the opening.

You can also see the adjustment of my adjustable ball on the website as well. Mine is on a small black chevy though--not sure if it needs to be any different for big block.

I don't have the 4 pager right now...i'll scan it in later today and put it on my website somewhere tonight and provide a link here.

As for the hard shifting, my TKO 600 did start out a bit stiff and loosened up after a few hundred miles...not sure if you have a problem or just need it broken in. Are you using the correct lubricant?

Good luck again!

[Kevin Hebert]

Thanks for the link Paul. I have the GM syncromesh in the tranny.

[Hurst - Jeff]

Here is a link to our website for the clutch linkage/fork alignment document:
http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/fi...ation_Tips.pdf.

Here is another link to various tech videos on our website (clutch fork alignmet, bellhousing alignment, etc.):
http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/video.aspx.

I hope some of this helps.