need OD bearing retainer + alignment help

[68plymouth70]

Hey everyone, ive been trying to figure out why reverse on the O.D. a833 has been grinding into position despite the clutch being engauged (sometimes 1st gear is hard to get into too). I ruled out the clutch as being the problem, the hydraulic throwout bearing is properly adjusted. I think in could either be the alignment of the scattershield, or the transmissions alignment to the scattershield, as the input shaft bearing on the crank is fairly worn after only 1000 miles. I never checked the scattershields alignment to the engine block, which is why i had to take the transmission out recently. Ill be checking the alignment of the scattershield tomorrow- Does anyone have any tips on how to align the scattershield, or a better way to check the alignment than lakewoods instructions?
The input shaft bearing retainer for the O.D. a833 had to be machined down to fit into the scattershield (from the 5.125" diameter to 4.8" to fit into the scattershield). The bearing retainer may have been machined down too much, causing the misalignment...With that said does anyone know of where to purchase a new bearing reatiner with a diameter of 5.125" ??? I tried looking on this site and others, but cant find anywhere that sells this diameter retainer; any info to point me in the right direction would be great-thanks!!

[John Kunkel]

It's hard to measure the actual clutch disc clearance with a closed-bottom Lakewood, I usually drill a one-inch hole in the bottom in line with the disc to allow checking the actual disc clearance with a feeler gauge.

If you're sure the clutch is properly releasing, the problem is most likely alignment. The Lakewood instructions are the standard method of checking alignment. If the housing needs realignment the McRobb dowels make the job much easier. The Tech Archives on this forum has a discussion on this.

If you need a bearing retainer try Brewer's Performance at:

http://www.brewersperformance.com

or Jamie Passon at:

http://www.passonperformance.com

[68plymouth70]

Thanks for the sites, but i can only find the 4.8" and the 4.35" bearing retianers, guess ill call around monday and see.

I looked at the alignment of the scattershield today, the farthest it was was .020" off, which i would assume would imply getting an offset dowel with half this reading, .010" (right?)

I took the scatter shield off only to notice that one of the clutch fingers is about 1/2" lower than the others (its a 3 finger Hays street/strip clutch) what couldve caused this to happen? ive only driven the car 1000 miles and very conservatively.

[John Kunkel]

The low pressure plate finger is caused by a broken lever pivot pin, I'd wager that's your problem.

Don't depend on the website for current info, I would call them and make sure that don't have a bearing retainer.

[68plymouth70]

Thanks for the reply!
Upon inspection, nothing seems to be broken, the finger just seems to be lower than the other two, of corse i dont know much about the internal workings of a Borg and Beck style clutch...i dont know what im looking at in there. Heres the best pic. i could take of it once it got off the car showing the height difference.

Ill be calling Hays tomorrow to see whats going on with the clutch, then Mcleod for the throwout bearing. Then ill be ordering a new clutch (any suggestions if made before i order tom??) probably will be the same unit? Hopefully i can get the car back on the road within a week, minus holidays i suppose.
I also managed to locally find a bearing retainer through the trans. shop that rebuilt the trans for us.

[John Kunkel]

If that white block was left in the low finger when the PP was installed it shouldn't have been, it's for shipping only and should have been removed.

[68plymouth70]

Originally Posted by John Kunkel

If that white block was left in the low finger when the PP was installed it shouldn't have been, it's for shipping only and should have been removed.

I took this picture after i took it out of the car, i put the white block in there when i took it out, the other two fingers have the normal 1/4" spacers in place. This was just the best picture that shows the height difference.

I called Hays today, theyre tech specialist is out itll Jan. 5th and i cant wait that long with the duster up on the lift collecting dust, i already ordered the new clutch everything should be in place wed, or right after christmas. I still dont know why the clutch did this...