Grinding in Reverse, 1st Gear Hard to Engage

procharge94 · 05-22-2005, 05:27 PM

As part of the never-ending saga of installing a TKO in my SN95, I have encountered another issue. The TKO required a 26-spline clutch disc, so I called Hay's and asked for the part # for the correct disc that would fit the '94-95 pressure plate. This disc test-fitted with my current Hay's pressure plate perfectly. After installation of the TKO and Bellhousing(Tremec), gear engagement in 1st gear is VERY hard(with no grinding) and Reverse is impossible without some major gear grindage. I researched the part #'s for a throw-out bearing from an '87-93 compared to a '94-95, and found out they are the same part #'s. I'm not sure what the hell to think now. Something is causing a clutch engagement issue. With the stock '94 clutch cable attached to the clutch fork, the fork is sitting in the middle of the bellhouse opening. Is this normal?

Thanks again,
Matt

Jeff Chambers · 05-23-2005, 05:46 AM

What kind of air gap did you have with everything installed? Did you use an adjustable pivot ball to set up the clutch fork geometry correctly?

tmoss · 05-23-2005, 07:41 AM

yeah, sounds like a geometry/disengagement problem. How do the other gears do - if you've driven it.

procharge94 · 05-23-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmoss

yeah, sounds like a geometry/disengagement problem. How do the other gears do - if you've driven it.

Because the car was not street worthy, I only drove around the block and shifted into 2nd a few times and maybe 3rd once. The other gears shift great. The only problems are putting the transmission into 1st and Reverse.

procharge94 · 05-23-2005, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Chambers

What kind of air gap did you have with everything installed? Did you use an adjustable pivot ball to set up the clutch fork geometry correctly?

Would you elaborate on what you mean by "air gap"? I picked up the bellhousing used, so I will pull it back off the car and see if the pivot ball has any adjustability to it.

Thanks
Matt

Jeff Chambers · 05-23-2005, 11:20 AM

The gap between clutch disk and pressure plate when the clutch is engaged. If there's not sufficient gap, then the load is not being fully removed and it won't shift cleanly.

tmoss · 05-23-2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Chambers

The gap between clutch disk and pressure plate when the clutch is engaged.

Or disengaged?

Jeff Chambers · 05-24-2005, 06:15 AM

Clutch pedal depressed.

procharge94 · 05-24-2005, 08:37 AM

The bellhousing has the stock pivot ball installed, so I am going to run an adjustable one down today. Hopefully I can find one in the state so I can continue moving forward with getting the car back under its own power.

05-22-2005, 05:27 PM	#1
procharge94 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 103	Grinding in Reverse, 1st Gear Hard to Engage As part of the never-ending saga of installing a TKO in my SN95, I have encountered another issue. The TKO required a 26-spline clutch disc, so I called Hay's and asked for the part # for the correct disc that would fit the '94-95 pressure plate. This disc test-fitted with my current Hay's pressure plate perfectly. After installation of the TKO and Bellhousing(Tremec), gear engagement in 1st gear is VERY hard(with no grinding) and Reverse is impossible without some major gear grindage. I researched the part #'s for a throw-out bearing from an '87-93 compared to a '94-95, and found out they are the same part #'s. I'm not sure what the hell to think now. Something is causing a clutch engagement issue. With the stock '94 clutch cable attached to the clutch fork, the fork is sitting in the middle of the bellhouse opening. Is this normal? Thanks again, Matt

05-23-2005, 05:46 AM	#2
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	Re: Grinding in Reverse, 1st Gear Hard to Engage What kind of air gap did you have with everything installed? Did you use an adjustable pivot ball to set up the clutch fork geometry correctly? __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

05-23-2005, 07:41 AM	#3
tmoss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 634	Re: Grinding in Reverse, 1st Gear Hard to Engage yeah, sounds like a geometry/disengagement problem. How do the other gears do - if you've driven it. __________________ Tom (Torque) Moss 88Gt 5spd Vert, FLowmaster Catbacks, stock cam advanced 4° @ 108.5° ICL, NMRA prepped GT40P heads 1.85/1.55 valves and 1.7 rockers, MAC P headers Jet-Hot coated, 97 Exlporer intake (ported lower), TB and injectors. 277RWHP/330RWTQ (SAE). http://www.fastlanecars.com/

05-23-2005, 11:20 AM	#6
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	Re: Grinding in Reverse, 1st Gear Hard to Engage The gap between clutch disk and pressure plate when the clutch is engaged. If there's not sufficient gap, then the load is not being fully removed and it won't shift cleanly. __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

05-24-2005, 06:15 AM	#8
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	Re: Grinding in Reverse, 1st Gear Hard to Engage Clutch pedal depressed. __________________ Jeff Chambers 1990 Mustang GT 10.032 Seconds / 137.5 MPH 14-time Street Warrior World Record Setter CRT Performance 2001 Tropic Green Mustang GT - 12.181 / 113.2 MPH 2002 Ford F-250 Crew Cab 7.3l Power Stroke - 17.41@77.2 "There's nothing boring about a small block automatic shifting gears at 9400 rpm!"

05-24-2005, 08:37 AM	#9
procharge94 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 103	Re: Grinding in Reverse, 1st Gear Hard to Engage The bellhousing has the stock pivot ball installed, so I am going to run an adjustable one down today. Hopefully I can find one in the state so I can continue moving forward with getting the car back under its own power.

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