NOS Clutch kit for L79 C2
I have a 66 327 cu. 350 hp L79 , is there a new clutch kit available that GM had manufactured?? I have tried the parts suppliers around locally but have no response. Perhaps someone could point me in the right direction. I have even thought about having the pressure plate reconditioned. My car has 57,000 miles on it, possibly the original is still on board...
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Re: NOS Clutch kit for L79 C2
Jim
Luk clutches are made right here in Ohio they are a division of Schaeffler. They have an excellant tech support line. They made a lot of the OEM clutches for Chevy, including Corvette. Don't know where in Ohio you are but Hite Parts Warehouse in Columbus handles their line at a pretty reasonable price. If you can wait till Monday I can send you the number and extension for the guy I deal with at Luk.
Terry -
Re: NOS Clutch kit for L79 C2
Jim-----
When the parts were still available through the GM Parts System, they were never available in a kit form. One had to purchase whichever individual pieces necessary (e.g. friction disc, complete pressure plate assembly or parts thereof, flywheel and release bearing). Some of these parts were once manufactured by internal GM manufacturing operations.
There are NO GM internal manufacturing operations which currently produce ANY of these parts and, as a matter of fact, only a release bearing (manufactured by Federal-Mogul) is even available from GM Service Parts for your application.
You can purchase a clutch kit through Delco, though. It is a LUK manufactured unit, just as you could otherwise purchase in a LUK box. This is the kit I would recommend you use regardless of which box it is supplied in.
Actually, though, with the low mileage on the car, I don't even know if you need a new clutch. I'd get it apart and see just what you really need. You may very well just need a new friction disc and release bearing. If the pressure plate needs re-surfacing, I'd just go ahead and replace it, so that means going with the LUK kit.
Hopefully, the flywheel will be ok with just a light surfacing. I don't know of any source for a duplicate of the original flywheel for your application although some aftermarket flywheels can be used.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: NOS Clutch kit for L79 C2
These guys have the best prices for Luk kits http://www.dial-a-clutch.com/
$138 for your kit. At that price, if I was pulling it apart, I would have the flywheel surfaced and put in the kit. No need for used parts if you ask me.Comment
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Re: NOS Clutch kit for L79 C2
I just put a LUK Clutch in my '65 L79. I have about 500 miles on it and it is GREAT. It is nice and smooth and has a light feel to it, just like the original Factory Clutches.
DO NOT use a clutch assembly from a generic rebuilder. They usually put a real heavy diaphragm in them and thay are real hard to push and you will get tired of it in a big hurry. Ft. Wayne Clutch in Ft. Wayne, Indiana does rebuild clutches with the correct Diaphragms and they are very good. I have used many of them thru the years with very good success.
What ever you do, I would recomend you have the flywheel lightly surfaced AND the flywheel with the clutch assembly balanced. This is to insure you do not pick up a viabration when you are all finished. Also, replace the TO Bearing and I would highly recomend replacing the pilot bearing with a needle bearing. I think the LUK Clutch Kit may come with both the TO and Pilot Bearings. Also be sure to look at the fork and pivot stud.
Good Luck,
ChrisComment
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Re: NOS Clutch kit for L79 C2
Thanks to all for your experienced responses! I will order the throw out bearing at GM, and I think Savage Auto Parts (around the Middletown area) carries the LUK clutch and pressure plate...Comment
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