Help!!! I am trying to put a 4 speed saginaw in my 53 chevy coupe. I am trying to use a 55 cast iron bellhousing. I bought a "Ram Clutches" hydraulic release bearing. problem is, it engages the pressure plate about a 1/4 inch before the trans is up against the bell housing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
did you make sure to get the rigth bearing for the type of clutch you have? there are long and short bearings...long for the flat diaphram clutch, short for the B&B clutch (three finger) or angled diaphram fingers.
No spacers, This hydraulic release bearing according to RAM only comes in one length for this application. And I am using a diaphram pressure plate. Are there different depth bell housings for a small block chevy?
Like Squirrel alluded to, there are two different types of diaphragms, one with flat fingers, and the other with bent, which stick up higher.
I had to shim my transmission back with 1/8 shims to achieve the recommended T.O . bearing contact with the correct parts. Basically I took washers and cut them like a shim so I can take them out when the clutch wears down. I don't like the set up but it works and there was not enough room for manual clutch linkage.
Go here and look at page 52 . http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345292&page=3 We just had the same problem and after a few calls to some area race shops heres the fix. Quarter Master makes the engine plate but we whittled our own. Works like a champ and away we go!!
Looks like that is a winner! my only concern with the spacer plate is my starter bolts up to the bell housing, but I spose I could space it back. For the record and for anyone else that looks here, I tried 2 different pressure plates with the same result. Thanks to everyone that replied. With the suggestions it looks like I may back on track! Hey Bubba really wish I lived closer, the way ya'll are doing the build is really cool.
The Jalopy Journal
