anyone know what this might be? Its making a very faint grind when u try and shift but eventually goes in like the clutch isnt holding. Its also making a very loud clanking noise from around the middle of the car. Im hoping the bolts on the pressure plate didnt back out, even though i torqued to specs.

 

Can't help you there, but glad to hear you may be keeping it.

 

Cheap easy way to check out, go to a tranny shop, give him $10 to check in the air.
There's a good guy Tranny Shop (first bay of an auto shop place) past, way at the end/the final bend of Canoga Ave (not at Topange, take the right that stop sign, he's before Devonshire), he's into Chrylers. Sorry I cannot find the guy's card & phone number. He told me what was wrong with the tranny in my S-10 Blazer for free. And he was correct!
Doubt if you abused it, but, sounds like something failed like a throwout bearing. The chatter is possibly a noise coming from the front (hard to engage gear), traveling down metal. Maybe cable is bad (heat from pipes), too, causing problems.
Wish I knew this guys number, he was very good.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA