C2 / 66 Clutch Rod Bracket

[David L.]

Re: C2 / 66 Clutch Rod Bracket

Joe,
I agree that the 0.45" O.D. of a replacement pin head is probably irrelevant for practical purposes but you need a 0.60" O.D. pin head to be technically "correct". Isn't that what this game is all about? Since the bracket is only about 0.18" thick there must have been a reason why GM had a large head on the pin, a non-standard part. Maybe they did an actual structural analysis. The large head provides more surface area to prevent any "rocking" in case the pin loosens up. I have never seen an original L65-E66 "2 hole" bracket with a welded pin. The pin stays on because it is a force fit and has to be driven in with a hammer or press. Just my 2 cents.
Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 / 66 Clutch Rod Bracket

Joe,
I agree that the 0.45" O.D. of a replacement pin head is irrelevant for practical purposes but you need a 0.60" O.D. pin head to be technically "correct". Isn't that what this game is all about? I have never seen an original L65-E66 "2 hole" bracket with a welded pin. The pin stays on because it is a force fit and has to be driven in with a hammer or press. Just my 2 cents.
Dave

Dave-----


Yes, the early C2 pin was an interference fit. However, this little pin is a critical element in the clutch system. Failure of it has very significant safety implications. You don't suppose that GM went to the welded pin because the interference fit worked just as well, do you?

For something like this pin with significant safety implications I don't think that a little non-originality is too much of a sacrifice, especially considering that it very difficult to see.

[David L.]

Re: C2 / 66 Clutch Rod Bracket

Joe,
I don't mean to beat this to death and I agree that the pin is a critical element in the clutch system, however, if the pin breaks or pops out (which is highly unlikely), it's not the end of the world. Back in 1983 I owned a 1982 Camaro with M.T. As I left from work at 5 P.M. and approached the entrance ramp to the Everette Turnpike ramp I shifted into 2nd gear, heard a pop, and the clutch pedal stayed on the floor......no clutch and 20 miles to Nashua but I'm on the turnpike and not so bad even with heavy traffic. I managed to shift into 3rd and then 4th gear without the clutch and without grinding any gears. However, halfway home I had to drive thru a toll booth, shift to neutral, stop, and pay the toll. While stopped at the toll booth I turned off the engine, put the shifter in 2nd gear, and started the car with the key. This was a real strain on the starter. Slowly the car began to move and off I went, carefully shifting to 3rd and then 4th without clutch . When I got to my exit ramp on busy Amherst Street during rush hour, I managed to merge, drive to the first traffic light which was luckily green, took a right, then finally to my condominium without a problem. It turns out that the cross shaft arm broke off on a one year old car. The next day I drove my 1977 El Camino to the dealer and ordered a new cross shaft which was a new design and much stronger. I agree that a failure with a clutch system can be a safety issue but if you're an experienced driver of M.T. cars it's a problem that can be handled.
Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 / 66 Clutch Rod Bracket

Joe,
I don't mean to beat this to death and I agree that the pin is a critical element in the clutch system, however, if the pin breaks or pops out (which is highly unlikely), it's not the end of the world. Back in 1983 I owned a 1982 Camaro with M.T. As I left from work at 5 P.M. and approached the entrance ramp to the Everette Turnpike ramp I shifted into 2nd gear, heard a pop, and the clutch pedal stayed on the floor......no clutch and 20 miles to Nashua but I'm on the turnpike and not so bad even with heavy traffic. I managed to shift into 3rd and then 4th gear without the clutch and without grinding any gears. However, halfway home I had to drive thru a toll booth, shift to neutral, stop, and pay the toll. While stopped at the toll booth I turned off the engine, put the shifter in 2nd gear, and started the car with the key. This was a real strain on the starter. Slowly the car began to move and off I went, carefully shifting to 3rd and then 4th without clutch . When I got to my exit ramp on busy Amherst Street during rush hour, I managed to merge, drive to the first traffic light which was luckily green, took a right, then finally to my condominium without a problem. It turns out that the cross shaft arm broke off on a one year old car. The next day I drove my 1977 El Camino to the dealer and ordered a new cross shaft which was a new design and much stronger. I agree that a failure with a clutch system can be a safety issue but if you're an experienced driver of M.T. cars it's a problem that can be handled.
Dave

Dave-----

You were fortunate the failure occurred when it did. However, if, for example, one is stopped in traffic close behind another car, with the clutch pedal depressed and the pin fails, the result will be more catastrophic.