I need some advise on clutch problems. I have a 1990 Iroc Convertible with an LS1/T56 Swap from a 2000 Camaro and thirdgen pedals. I've been driving it for close to 2 months and like it a lot. I need to take care of a few minor details but no real issues. Ran well up until last week, while driving it, it became hard to shift and the pedal would grab at the very bottom and still was hard to shift. I don't drag race it or drive the clutch hard, clutch dumps etc. While in gear I like to step on it at times but normal. Before this problem, the pedal felt perfect and engaged mid way up. There are no noises coming from the transmission or anywhere else.

I cannot shift the car anymore while it is on, no gear even reverse will not go. As I try to force the gear it will try to move forward in any forward gears and backwards in reverse but cannot get it into gear anymore. I could probably force it but don't want to.

During the swap I installed a new master cylinder and slave cylinder/throwout bearing. The master came complete containing brake fluid. The clutch is stock used.

I bought a mityvac and used it to bleed the system, no air in it and no signs of oil leakage.

Ive been reading on the ls1 forums and this one, with a variation of different problems.

Any ideas? Anyone encounter this problem after their swap?

 

Couple of questions for you.

Since your friction zone was about mid-way, were you still going to the floor when you pushed it in?

Which master did you use? 4th gen or 3rd gen?

Sounds like the slave isn't working properly to me, but I could me wrong. Have you tried bleeding it using the pedal method instead of a mityvac?

 

Thanks for your reply.

I was pushing the clutch to the floor every time.

The master clutch cylinder I bought came complete with the quick connect that goes on the LS1 T56. So it has to be 4th gen.

Update:

I woke up very early this morning, took the trans apart and found 3 out of the 6 pressure plate bolts were loose. The pilot bearing looked a little damaged on the front side from the trans shaft. Trans shaft showed no play. I took the complete clutch out to include the flywheel and took it to Clutch Masters in Rialto to check. They said the clutch check out fine with no problems. Also, the clutch has very little wear and in very good condition.

They told me to change out the stock pilot bearing and replace it with a (I believe) he called it a brass bushing?? It is a solid piece instead of the other with needle bearings. They also said, if they were to guess, the three loose bolts were the problem along with the damaged pilot bearing. They sold me the bushing/bearing and alignment tool.

I just installed the trans back in and it engages again at the stock location where it should.

Now to put everything back together.

I'm so relieved.

 

Pilot bearing.

 

Clutch disc

 

Clutch assembly

 

Good to hear! Definitely make sure they are torqued correctly! I've gotten mixed reviews on the bushing/bearing, but I went with the bearing and made sure it was lubed up properly. /shrug

Piece of advice: If the friction zone is about midway through the pedal travel, DON'T go to the floor. You are over-extending the slave cylinder at that point. Mine is slightly past the middle, and I learned very quickly that if I go to the floor, I develop serious issues. Granted, I modded a third gen master to work with the LS1 slave, but since you are using third gen pedals, it'll be the same as mine.

 

Yes sir, I looked up the torque specs and took my time, double and triple checking it.

Thanks a lot for the advise, I appreciate it.

 

Loctite those bolts, too. Bolts can loosen even with correct torque if any material in the bolted joint yields after tightening. Also, paint will compress a few minutes after tightening so make sure all paint is off the surfaces that form the bolted joint or the bolt may loosen up after assembly.

 

I cleaned everything, including the grease off the bolts, put red loctite on them and used a torque wrench to tighten them. I took my time with this. All is together and running good.

Thank you guys. I'm not a mechanic but with the help of people like you, I've been able to take this car apart and put it back together. I'm learning.