So I joined this forum because I am using a t5 world class out of an 89 Camaro and cant find as much help from the nova guys as I would like.

Here is my problem. I have a rebuilt 355 motor out of a later 80's suburban that I mated with a 89 t-5 world class transmission from a camaro. I resurfaced the flywheel that came with the motor, bought a brand new clutch, and installed this combo in my 1970 Chevy Nova. Now I drove the Nova for about three months with problems with the clutch slipping. It seemed it just took a little time to get warmed up then would catch better as I drove. In the last few weeks I feel as if the clutch is just gone and couldn't accelerate at any sort of faster rate. So I dropped my transmission and checked everything out. I was told I would need to cut part of the bearing retainer or maybe the output shaft off because it was too long but its not from an S-10 and my bro in law and friend use the t5 with no problem on their novas.

I was thinking maybe I am using the wrong throw out bearing or installed it wrong. Or maybe installed the clutch wrong. It just doesnt make a lot of sense to me sense The flywheel is resurfaced, clutch is new, throw out bearing is new, transmission has 50k miles on it. It should run fine.

When I pulled out the transmission I did find a decent amount of dust on the bell housing walls.

Can you install the clutch incorrectly? I already saw the ways you can install the throw out bearing incorrectly and that might be it but I'm not sure. Don't remember how I originally installed it. Is there different size throw out bearings I could be using?

As you can tell I am at a loss. Just wondering if anyone has had this problem before.

Thanks!

 

How much was taken off of the flywheel? If to much was removed you may need a spacer behind the flywheel.
What kind of linkage are you using? Mechanical or hyd ?

 

I don't know how much was take off but I don't think too much. It was a respectable shop and the flywheel just had some burn marks from getting used with a worn out clutch from previous owner. Everything in the car is mechanical.

 

I am assuming you have the mechanical clutch linkage on that nova? could the rod have been adjusted improperly?

 

No. I already checked that before pulling the transmission. I have a spring going from the fork to the engine mount and the rod going to the fork for when I push on the clutch. I had it adjusted to engage a 1/4 inch after pushing down clutch. Before I pulled clutch I loosened it up to 1 inch thinking maybe it was applying to much pressure and it didn't help.

 

Any flywheel that gets shaved starts to go away from factory spec. If your past a certain point, it will need a shim if its hyd and maybe even mechanical.

It almost sounds like the linkage isn't releasing completely or maybe the pedal stroke to clutch fork arm ratio isn't correct.

 

Post pics of things and post PNs of what you can.

Too tall a throwout bearing.
Disc contamination.
Over-travelled pressure plate.

Forget about the pedal travel; did you set an air gap?

The closer you set it up to a known-good factory setup, the better off you are. In other words, if you used third-gen parts (like short TO bearing, the clutch) and your linkage is close enough, it should work. The question is what's different or the problem is in the install.

 

Here is the transmission and side view of throw out bearing.

 

yea my bro in law asked what size throw out bearing I was using saying there was three sizes. I think I am using the biggest one. Not sure. I made sure the disc was clean when I installed it. I have no idea what you mean by air gap.. sorry. My old roomate picked out the throw out bearing I am using and he has used t5 before so I figure he knew which one I should be using.

Also I am not sure the throw out bearing was in there the way it looks but from what I hear if you put it in differently you can't get in gear and I drove it for 3 months...

 

O yea so PN idk the clutch is a Duralast from orielly, flywheel came with motor and same with throw out bearing. The fork is PN 14066235.

 

That would be the problem.

The TOB may well be resting against the front of the clutch gear bearing retainer... thereby never moving far enough out of the way to all full engagement of the clutch.



This is the one you need.

 

Do you have a part number for that one?

 

He posted a V8 third gen to brg. So look up for an 89.
There are two forks for 153 and 168 bells; one more thing to check.
Ballstud height is a question too.
Thanks for pics and responses.

 

So My bellhousing PN is 3858403. Which I looked up and it says its a 153 tooth bellhousing.

This is the clutch fork I am using. PN 14066235 which I think is the right one.

http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/it...16/3564268.htm

I have the right Throw out bearing and am going to put the transmission all back in the Nova tomorrow and hope I have the right fork.

Thanks for all your guys help! I should have got an account a LONG time ago! You have been making me SO much less stressed.

I would have no idea about the ball height because its just a screw in ball.