I have a ’64 Chevy Short Bed Fleetside truck running a ’94 Z28 T-56. I’ve come to you guys looking for help because this is such a sweet tranny, I can't believe I'm the first one to try this swap, and I’m at my wit’s end!
The truck has all the stock clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, TO bearing, and slave that is correct for the Z. In order to fit up cleanly to the firewall and easily attach to the clutch pedal linkage, I’m using a stock ’64 Chevy manual brake master for a clutch master. I believe this MC has a 1” bore, and the slave has a ¾” bore. But I’ve got several issues. There is about 6” of pedal travel in total from the top of the travel to the floor. When I depress the clutch, for the first 3-1/2” or 4”, it feels like it isn’t even hooked up, like it is just return spring pressure. Then it comes up firm, like it is building pressure, and in only about ½”-3/4”, I can finally shift it into gear. I continue to slowly depress the clutch, and in another ½”, I get the most God-awful racket… it sounds like the forks are into the pressure plate – and I still have an inch of pedal left!
So my questions – what do I need to do to get a decent pedal? I’d like 1-1/2” or so of free play at the top, and full disengagement 2-3” below that, if possible. This would give me about 2-3” of functional working stroke. Is this attainable with a hydraulic clutch? And what is causing the horrendous racket? Is the master over-extending the slave somehow? How do I troubleshoot this thing?
I sure need some advice here, guys – I’m about to pull my hair out! Thanks! Bill
