a73camaro

I found an 75' Chevy truck at the JY. It had a 350 4 bolt main, so I got it. It also had a new clutch, pressure plate and a reground flywheel. I believe that it is a 12" clutch.

So a bigger clutch tells me more contact area (good), but it has more rotational inertia (bad).

Is this setup worth anything?

BTW, I did grab the larger bellhousing.

quadgoat

iTrader: (1)

Well, the setup is "worth something" I'm sure, but to use it in a 3rd gen would be difficult. Going by the information you provided I'm going to assume that you have a large diameter (168 tooth) flywheel along with that clutch (which I think is actually an 11", but could very well be a 12" I'm not sure when it comes to the pickups) That flywheel will require the larger bellhousing, which you got. There are, however, two problems with that bellhousing. The first problem is that it has no provision for a hydraulic clutch setup (no slave cylinder mount) and I really don't know if the geometry for the z-bar style clutch throwout system is the same for the trucks as for the EARLY 3rd gens or not. The second issue with that bellhousing is that the tranny bolt pattern is not tilted at an angle the way the bolt patterns on all 3rd gen bellhousings are. It is possible to modify the tranny x-member and the shifter so that it will all work (A friend of mine did this in his wife's '87 Z-28) but as far as I'm concerned it's really not worth the work. To use that flywheel and clutch you'll need a bellhousing that is large enough to accomodate it, has the provision for a slave cylinder (or set it all up with a mechanical z-bar style linkage) and has the bolt pattern for the tranny angled (or you can modify stuff as I mentioned before). Anyway, yes there is value to the stuff you've got, but for it to really be useful in a 3rd gen takes some effort. Sorry for the long post, I hope it wasn't too confusing, feel free to ask me to clarify if it was!

-Paul

383backinblack

nope, it wont fit.....been there done that

a73camaro

Thanks for the responses. I just measured the clutch and it is 12" in diameter. It looks like the front tranny ears will line up with the bolt holes of the larger bell housing.

Hopelully 2nd gens don't have a clearance issue.

quadgoat

iTrader: (1)

Ohhhh...you're putting it in a second gen...well that's a whole different story I think you'll be all set there, in fact if it was me I'd drop a Pontiac 400 in, but that's probably just because I love that motor lol Is the pressure plate 12" in diameter, or is the actual friction disc 12"? That's awesome if the disc is 12", that should hold like no tomorrow (if it's a decent clutch in decent shape that is ) Good luck with all of it, but I still say go with a Pontiac motor instead of a Chevy hehehe

-Paul

84406

One thing to check is the trucks of that era are usually 10 spline input and any car trans after about 72-73 are usually 26 spline. If it was from one of the smaller truck trans it probably wouldn't have the large clutch.

quadgoat

iTrader: (1)

Good call! didn't think of that one....it all depends on the tranny....if you go with an older Muncie (personal favorite, had one in my GTO) you'll be dealing with a 10 spline, but the newer ones do tend to be 26 spline...very good call on that!!!

-Paul

Air_Adam

'Course he could just use the 4 speed that came out of the truck too, right? (I'm assuming 4 speed here)

As far as I know, all the Muncie 4 speeds were basically the same on the outside, like the bolt pattern, length, shift rod geometry, etc etc... but don't take my word for it 100%.

I know that, at least in cars, the wide ratio (M20) and the close ratio (M21/22) were pretty much identical outside. It was only the internals that were different.

Besides, some trucks had good gearing for making a Camaro or a Firebird leave the light with authority

84406

A truck muncie that probably came behind that clutch wouldn't even be in the equation. Trust me.

a73camaro

The tranny is a 10 spine Sag. Gonna see if I can bust it!