Galaxie500XL

iTrader: (1)

Taking apart my clutch...got the bellhousing off, and noticed this groove cut into the fork. I'm thinking it's somehow contacting the fingers on the pressure plate, but how?

big gear head

You may have the short throw out bearing and you need the long one. This is just a guess, so don't go out and buy a long bearing just because I said so.

Galaxie500XL

iTrader: (1)

Good point...I'm replacing everything. Do I reuse this fork, or get a new one? The groove isn't all the way through, but I'm debating going ahead and replacing it.

big gear head

Looks like it could be weak in that area.

Galaxie500XL

iTrader: (1)

I took everything to the machine shop that resurfaced the flywheel. It looks as if the groove was caused by a raised ridge around the inside opening of the old pressure plate when it was shaped in manufacturing. The new pressure plate doesn't have a raised ring around the inside (where the fingers are)...so I don't think it's likely to contact the clutch fork like the old pressure plate did.

big gear head

Sounds good to me.

Galaxie500XL

iTrader: (1)

I was just looking at the throwout bearing after I pulled it out of the clutch fork. Had it sitting upside down on a table, and absent-mindedly turned it. It runs CROOKED. more of an oval pattern, rather than in a circle.

big gear head

That's odd. I guess you are going to replace it anyway.