Bellhousing/throw out fork problem

[Hoyt99]

I need the benefit of experience - I am still replacing the clutch in my 63 409, and the throw out Fork does not allow the bearing to align with the center hole in the clutch. By a lot. Yet it worked before I took it apart, and must have been in alignment.

the Engine is a 65 service replacement block, the cast iron bellhousing casting #3704822, which is not original nor correct.

When I took it apart, one of the clips (lower clip) that holds the fork to the bellhousing was broken, so I replace it with an absolutely identical one from Showcars. I am thinking that maybe, the last owner just broke the clip off to make it work until he sold it (to me)

I am thinking that the logical next step is to get an original bellhousing and go from there. Maybe someone has one they need to make go away? Anyhow, what do you think.

As always, many thanks

Chip

 

[scott hall]

It’ll line up with trans in. Fork fingers should be in middle of bearing. It’s too deep in fork now.

 

[Don Jacks]

Only the two "fingers"touch the throw- out bearing,which will put the front of the trans.right in place.Remember that that bearing must pivot in relationship with the fork for the system to work.

 

[Hoyt99]

Wow - thank you both! That the bearing could be installed in another position on the fork did not, occur to me. And, the bearing did not pivot, which I did notice, but put off while I figured out what to do about the awful alignment.

Chip

 

[Hoyt99]

Happy Sunday everyone,

I pulled the bellhousing off and there seems to be only one way the TO bearing attaches, and the TO arm simply does not line up to the center. By a lot.

Maybe the new TO arm has something wrong, but I swear I checked it against the original and it was identicle.

Any more thoughts?

Chip

 

[Ishiftem]

The pads on the fork should contact the bearing at the point of largest diameter. Your picture shows you are pushing it on too far!

 

[63 dream'n]

And as long as the throw out forks pivot point.( from the pivot ball to the pads that hold a throw out bearing) is the same distance....... it can’t be wrong

Like Dan said .....the pads of the throwout fork Would be centerline of the throwout bearing diameter.......You don’t shove the throwout bearing in until it stops in that C channel ........there should be a gap

 

[Iowa 409 Guy]

Did you change throwout bearings?

 

[Hoyt99]

No matter where on the fork I put the TO bearing, it is still too low, by a lot. The photo has the TO bearing in the center of the hole where the trans will go. The TO arm has no available movement to get closer than an inch away from center.

And there really only seems to be one way to attach the bearing tat I can figure out.

Glad I am not on flat rate on this one....

Chip

 

[Hoyt99]

And I did change the clutch disc, plate and TO bearing. And TO arm due to a broken clip.

I kinda feel like the village idiot.....the solution must be obvious and I can not see it.

 

[Hoyt99]

It has to be a problem with the new TO arm. Nobody can install it incorrectly, and it just doesn’t get anywhere near the center of the hole

 

[Hoyt99]

Or maybe the bellhousing is wrong, and the PO broke the lower clip of the fork while Mickey mousing it together...?

the bellhousing # is 3704922, which seems to be for a tri-five small block.

probably best to get back to what really should be there with some correct parts.

 

[Ishiftem]

I see what you are talking about now. The fork is definitely wrong.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

The fork seams to curve downwards.

 

[1958 delivery]

Bellhousing isn't the problem

 

[Hoyt99]

The rectangular hole in a correct bellhousing where the TO arm goes, is half again as big as the one on my bench. Mine has a height of about 40mm and the correct one is about 66mm. So, the fork in a correct one would have another inch or so of downward motion, which could allow proper alignment......probably.
The fork came fromShowcars, and they have only one part number for all years. Unlikely I got the only one that is defective

I am going to get the correct bellhousing and hope the larger hole solve the issue. What could possibly go wrong this time.

Thank you guys VERY MUCH for the great input.

Chip

 

[Hoyt99]

But I will call Bruce at Showcars about the fork, If there was an issue with his parts, he will know about it, and will do the right thing

 

[1958 delivery]

The bellhousing-fork combo might be wrong but all engines have the same centerline, you need the fork to match your bellhousing, the one you took out

 

[1958 delivery]

Where's the fork you took out?

 

[oldskydog]

That is a 56 bell.