Hi,

I seem to have the strangest problems. I set up my new
engine, and was putting the transmission back on. I had
already put the clutch in. Everything was fine. Then, I slid
the transmission back on, and the clutch release fork just
swung freely!! WTF??

The clutch plate is fine, and installed correctly. It only goes
in one way. Both pressure plates I have look identical. The
throwout bearing looks right, and I don't think any parts are
missing. I think I got the transmission on far enough. My
measurements say it should have worked!

Am I missing something?? Sorry for the stupid questions!!

Thanks,

Jeff

did you exchange the flywheel with a new or turned "other"? if its from a bus you've got differences. how about clutch fork pivot mount maybe something related?

did you get it on far enough to bolt it up?

if not the TO bearing could be just sliding on the main shaft.

Is the engine/tranny back in the car and the clutch cable hooked up?

I would venture to guess two things, provided the tranny is now bolted back up to the motor..therefore you have it as close as it can get.

You forgot to put the pivot ball back in the tranny that the clutch fork pivots on...or the fork is not currently on it.

Or
The throw out bearing is possibly on backwards.

Rich

Jeff, the flywheel on your new motor may have been turned enough to throw the spacing off just enough...if you look on the bird board under the tech articles for clutch replacement, you will find a great write-up with pictures.

One issue that many 914 owners have to address is your problem. Many owners put a washer under the pivot arm bolt to compensate for the metal turned off the flywheel. Its amazing how one washer can change the throw on the pivot arm. I've had to do this on two diffent 914 engine transmission combinations for the clutch to dissengage properly.

How much slop do you have in the arm? It's not supposed to be tight until the cable is installed. It should move back and forth a bit. Got a tape measure?

Well, I got the transmission back on. I shimmed out the pivot ball and it
seemed pretty good. Maybe a little more free play than spec'd, but the clutch
releases fine. Now I can continue installing the new engine and see what else breaks!

Thanks for all the advice!!

Jeff