Well things have finally quieted down a bit. The newly installed pressure plate seems to have resolved the clinkity clinkity problem. The original pressure plate obtained from another high profile vendor will hopefully be returned for a refund, although it's been some time since I bought it. There were very few hours put on it as it wasn't right from the get go. The whole affair has ended up costing me a bundle in cash and time in that the engine had to be pulled twice.
The other issue with the lack of adjustment in the free-play still exists. My vendor in Ga. sent me a NOS TO bearing and said that no one there had ever heard of a longer one and that the NOS bearing was correct for the plate. After the engine was reinstalled a full bottomed out adjustment was necessary to fully disengage the clutch upon pedal depression. There is no more adjustment left.
My question now, although it will be some time before I pull the engine again, is where can I get the longer TO bearing some of you mentioned in prior replies? Part #'s, vendors, links, would be appreciated. It may be that I can fabricate or modify the clutch linkage to provide more adjustment, as it becomes necessary. Right now it's as quiet as can be and allows smooth shifting.
Thanks for all of the advice and make sure to "shake your plate" before it's too late. Don't install any pressure plate assembly that makes noise when shaken by hand prior to installation. This has been another costly learning adventure, but then again one of the very things that makes this site so great--all of the collective experience out there being shared.
Don
