The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline T-5 Throwout Bearing for '61 235

Hello all,

1961 Apache 10 pickup, with its original 235 engine. Doing a T-5 swap. After reading a lot of posts, I determined that the correct throwout bearing should be the Timken 614037 (long). Many posts mention the 614037 for diaphragm clutches and I have already installed the appropriately-splined diaphragm clutch for the T-5. I snapped the fork onto the rocker ball and put the throwout bearing in place, then proceeded to tighten the rocker ball completely. The throwout bearing is now jammed tight against the diaphragm fingers with no play at all. The fork is not attached to the slave cylinder yet. Every clutch job I've ever done has had play in it when at this stage of assembly. I now suspect I was wrong in choosing this bearing. I know many of you have done T-5 swaps and would appreciate any information you can.

Thanks in advance,

GW

I used the original one that was in my 59, don't remember if it was long or short. It has worked fine .

Greenman Wood,
As I understand things, GM used primarily 2 different sizes of release bearings. Short or tall. You will likely need the short one. I helped install a T5 in my friend's C10 and his required the tall version. The reason for two sizes has to do with differences in the pressure plate splines. My pressure plate required a short version. Go to your local parts supplier or Rock Auto and look for a release bearing for a 1983 - 1992 Camaro. That should be a short style bearing.

One piece of advice. Remove the seal in your new release bearing and add more grease and replace the seal. The release bearings these days come from the supplier with the bare minimum amount of grease. Mine started to squeal after 400 miles of use. Every red light and stop sign was "sqeak - squeak - squeak". Problem solved once I added more grease. Just thought I'd save you the aggravation.

Thanks! While searching for information, I went over to H. A. M. B. (Hokey [censored] Message Board, if you're not familiar, it's *almost* as good as Stovebolt.com for great vintage cars and trucks.)
One poster said and I quote: "It's simple. If your diaphragm fingers are flat, you need the long throwout bearing. If they are angled forward, you need the short one." On the clutch I installed, they're angled forward. So I'll get the short one you suggested. Thanks for the heads up on packing the bearing - will do!

Regards,

GW