Clutch and shifter resto in my 60 Vette

[Dave #34924]

Do you know if there was a clutch fork boot on the aluminum bellhousing and why do the parts houses say in their listings that 2 clutch fork anti rattle springs are required, where in the world would the second one go? On the clutch rod going thru the firewall, does the retainer and seal go on engine side or the interior side of the firewall and what color would you paint it?, The one that is on my car is on the interior side but i would guess it was on wrong. I also will be ordering the Godzilla spring bracket that is bolted to the cross shaft( mine is pretty worn), there is a note in the AIM, Section 6, sheet 7.00, about putting this on and some kind of adjustment to be made with it, before you do the freeplay adjustment, can some one translate that into english for me?
I want to put new hardware on both ends of my shifting linkage, where can i find some detailed info and pictures of all the stuff i need,ie: spring washers,bushings,wahers ,bolts, nuts,and etc...and what are these G-clips I've heard about? When I rebuilt mt hurst shifter linkage many years ago in my 55 Chevy, it was a snap, a bunch of new bushings and some new hardware, and you were done, no slop, and shifted beautiful, are there some shortcuts to making my shifter perform well to?

[John H.]

Re: Clutch and shifter resto in my 60 Vette

Dave -

No clutch fork boot was ever used in production - they're an "invention" of the parts houses. Only one anti-rattle spring on C1's. The clutch pushrod seal and retainer go on the engine side of the firewall, and the retainer is painted semi-gloss black. The "Godzilla spring" bracket over-center adjustment procedure is outlined in the ST-12. Paragon, Doc Rebuild, and others have all the shift linkage hardware, including the "pretzel clips". Do you have the '58-'60 JG? It will answer many of your questions.

[Dave #34924]

Re: Clutch and shifter resto in my 60 Vette

thanks, and what does the ST-12 meam? also what is 58-60JG?

[John H.]

Re: Clutch and shifter resto in my 60 Vette

Dave -

The "ST-12" is the "1953-62 Corvette Servicing Guide", which is the only Shop Manual GM ever published for the C1's; you NEED one - it's available from the on-line store on this site. The "JG" is the "1958-60 Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide", which dissects your car in great detail, describes precisely what its original appearance and configuration was, and is the standard against which the car will be NCRS-judged. Also available from the on-line store. If you don't have both of these publications, you're "flying blind". I'd also recommend the Noland Adams "Complete Corvette Restoration and Technical Guide", Vol. 1 (1953-62), also available here. The above constitute the absolute minimum technical library to start with, together with the Assembly Manual.

[Dave #34924]

Re: Clutch and shifter resto in my 60 Vette

Thanks John,
I do have all of the books you mentioned, but sometimes you still cant find the answer your looking for, I guess thats one of the reasons these forums exist