Got caught in a downpour this weekend and had to drive through a huge puddle (re:lake). Feathered the clutch to keep it from stalling out, and I guess I burnt something up. I’ve got a constant HEAVY “tick” coming from the clutch housing, like a bearing is gone, or something is rubbing bad. It’s definitely on the engine side as it is constant and goes with the speed of the engine. Needless to say, I’ll have to take it apart to see what’s up.

This will be the biggest mechanical job I’ve ever done. I’m a novice backyard mechanic. From reading my service manual, it appears I’ll have to take out the entire transmission, driveshaft, etc. to get to the clutch! Yikes! This will NOT be easy!

Details on car:
LG4 305
4bbl Quadrajet
NO ECM from factory! This is a Canadian car
Borg Warner Super T-10 4 speed

I have a couple of questions:
1. Any idea what I might have fried? I doubt it’s just worn clutch plates, and the tranny still shifts fine and the clutch seems to engage exactly as before.
2. Can I get parts for this clutch and transmission? It’s the rare 4 speed T-10 that was only in 82 for thirdgens.
3. What else should I be looking at while the transmission is out? Any seals to replace, etc?
4. Tips, advice, am I in over my head? How much $$ am I looking at?
5. And the big one…I would like to consider switching to an auto tranny. That’s an even bigger job, and I don’t think I fully grasp all the stuff I’ll need like TQ conv., vacuum lock up, shifter. Would now be the time to switch? What tranny would you recommend? Ahh, nevermind, I’ll ask that question on a separate post…

I appreciate any reply!

 

btt...

Can anyone offer advice?

 

i couldnt tell you what could be wrong, whenever you take it apart it should become fairly obvious what it is. I'd suspect the throwout bearing.

i'd imagine you could fine the right clutch kit for it, usually they're like $80.

Take a look at your flexplate when you get the trans out, if it looks like the metal is all smeared up its a good idea to take it to a machine shop and have it turned.

But as for taking the trans out in the backyard.....thats never a fun time. you may actually find it more cost effective to bring it to a mechanic.

For one, getting at the bellhousing bolts is a MAJOR pain. you'll need a 1/2 breaker bar, an extension and a u-joint. and even then....it is not easy. You'll have to take the trans crossmember (ie hunk of stamped steel bolted to the body) out and just let the trans lean back so you can get at the bolts. Then once you get the bolts out, the trans is actually quite hard to pull out; you'll have to do some creative prying.

Once the trans is out, changing the clutch is pretty easy. The pressure plate is HEAVY, dont let it drop on you. You may want to change the pilot bushing, and the trans mount is almost definatly shot. perhaps the change the output shaft seal. One thing i'll tell you to do is take the driveshaft inside and put it in your basement or somewhere where it wont rust up. this project will take you a while, and if you let the driveshaft rust up then install it in the trans it'll just eat up the output shaft seal.

now....reinstalling the trans. man, i've done a few just on jacks in the driveway....and it is just nearly impossible, i'll say that. You just basically have to wiggle and push it until the trans is ALL THE WAY IN. DONT try to bolt it on unless the bellhousing is flat against the engine.

Personally i've never been able to get the trans to slide in all the way when its just out in the driveway on jacks. I'd just get frustrated and go inside and my helper would magically get it in. When i got a nice trans jack and auto lift i've done it many times, and its still annoying.

*** bless you, get a buddy to help.

 

First, before you pull your transmission:

Check for interferance between the inspection cover and the flywheel. It is a sheet metal cover that is bolted onto the front bottom half of the bellhousing.
If you went through deep water, it is posible that the inspection cover was jammed up against/near the flywheel and is rubbing.

If the clutch still functions as before the bath, I would look at other causes for the ticking sound.

Check the free travel/ gap between the throw out bearing and the clutch fingers.

If you do decide to go auto (wimp) I would be happy to give your old trans and related parts a good home

Check the inspection cover first.

 

Thanks very much for the info and advice guys! :hail:

The car is in the garage on jackstands ready to go. It's not a daily driver, so if it takes me a couple of weeks, it will just get on my nerves, not my pocketbook. Neighbour said he'd give me a hand.

I'll take a look at the inspection cover first, before I start tearing everything apart. Maybe I'll get lucky!

 

Sounds like you washed out the throwout bearing with the lake you drove thru..lol.Tear it apart and install a new clutch and bearing & cut the flywheel and put it back together.Please don't go auto!

 

Yeah, I'll probably keep the T-10....for now. I love standards...it's just the heavy manual clutch. Perhaps it's possible to put a hydraulic clutch on it instead?

What do you mean by "cut the flywheel"?

 

that was dumb, i called it a flexplate earlier. manual trans only use flywheels.

cutting just means to have it turned, clean up and smaearing or burrs on it.

 

Thanks so much you guys!

It turned out to just be the inspection plate after all. The water pressure must have pushed it back and the flywheel caught it and chewed it up.

I banged it back into shape (new ones not available anymore) and it's just fine. Flywheel was undamaged too! :lala:

You guys are the best! :hail: Thank you!