Hi, Just installed new motor, T-56, weber twin disk, Lakewood scatter shield and new clutch master and slave cylinders in 3rd gen. Symptoms: - clutch barely disengages, but will actually disengage with no noticeable drag with clutch pedal completely to floor. - adjustable pivot bearing is backed out so far I get a squealing noise when clutch is out, goes away when clutch pushed in. Can't back it out any further. - going through gears without grinding takes some finesse. Even moderately quick shifting creates a clunk or grind - takes alot of pressure to engage reverse, goes in with a clunk. Reverse lock out solinoid is being used. Installation: - input shaft would not slide easily in when bolting up tranny. I had to use long bolts and actually torque the tranny into place. Possibly damaging pilot bushing??? Questions: - sound like pilot bushing drag??? - if it is pilot bushing drag will it wear in eventually and work OK? - what would symptoms be if pilot bushing were missing? I'm 95% sure it was there but this was a while back. I hope someone who has been there, done that can give me some insight. Due to the particular tranny and bell housing I think I would have to pull the motor to take a look. Thanks, jim

i'd say no, if it was lined up and all you did was draw it together with the bolts. most if not all trans i put in have to be pulled into place because of the dowels. is it mechanical linkage? i'd suspect something out of adjustment.

It's hydraulic linkage. All new OEM hydraulics. The clutch, bellhousing, flywheel, throwout bearing and transmission are all non-stock items though so it's possible I've got the wrong height throwout bearing or not getting enough travel or pressure from the slave cylinder for the new clutch.

What has started to really worry me is what if there is no pilot bushing. I was in a hurry when I assembled it and can not remember checking for one. What would the symptoms be and what kind of damage could it cause?

Do You have a pilot Bushing sitting on your workbench ?

If its not in the car, its gotta be someplace...

First, I always replace the pilot bushing when I pull a transmission. They are cheap and fairly easy to remove/install. Second, I've only had a badly worn one once. I bought an 81Z28 that would grind a little going into 4th gear only after I'd driven 15 or 20 miles and warmed everything up. It also had some vibration around 3000 to 3500 rpm and if you popped the clutch pedal out while mashing the gas down it would sit in one spot and make that burning/stinking clutch smell I hate so much. When I dropped the transmission to install a new clutch/pressure plate/etc. and rebuild the 4spd. I pulled the pilot bushing out. It was worn so bad I could stick my thumb into the hole. On a new one my little finger is a tight fit. There it was, the problem with the grinding 4th gear (Muncie 4 spd has 4th gear on the input shaft) and the slipping clutch only at take offs from a dead stop.