Can this BB clutch fork be right?

[Michael G.]

Good Saturday evening all,

Thought I'd trial fit my new clutch release bearing on my BB clutch fork today...was surprised to find no beaing retainer on back side of fork release bearing. There is a retainer there for the ball stud for attachment inside the bell housing but no retainer ears for the release bearing . For comparison pulled out a SB clutch fork only to see a retainer with ears . Possibly I thought the retainer ears had been broke but appears to be symetrical on both sides....what gives here, can this be right? Are the retainer ears missing? Or is this correct for a BB application? Pictured below is the SB fork on top, BB fork on bottom. Thanks in advance.

[John H.]

Re: Can this BB clutch fork be right?

.what gives here, can this be right? Are the retainer ears missing?

Mike -

Yup, the bearing end of the spring steel retainer fatigue-fractured and fell off. Paragon sells a new retainer and the attaching rivet.

[Michael G.]

Re: Can this BB clutch fork be right?

Damn it Jim.....I'm only a restorer!! Who'd thunk it John, broke (fractured) evenly on both sides. Appreciate the heads up, should be an easy fix. Better found now before assembling the bell housing to the engine .

[Joe L.]

Re: Can this BB clutch fork be right?

Good Saturday evening all,

Thought I'd trial fit my new clutch release bearing on my BB clutch fork today...was surprised to find no beaing retainer on back side of fork release bearing. There is a retainer there for the ball stud for attachment inside the bell housing but no retainer ears for the release bearing . For comparison pulled out a SB clutch fork only to see a retainer with ears . Possibly I thought the retainer ears had been broke but appears to be symetrical on both sides....what gives here, can this be right? Are the retainer ears missing? Or is this correct for a BB application? Pictured below is the SB fork on top, BB fork on bottom. Thanks in advance.

Michael-----


I agree with John. Also, for any given year, the small block and big block clutch release forks were exactly the same. The upper fork in your photo is a pre-1963 Corvette fork or a passenger car fork. The lower fork is configured like 1964-81 Corvette clutch forks.

[Michael G.]

Re: Can this BB clutch fork be right?

Interesting. Thanks for that info Joe. Just don't make those retainers like they use to?! 30...40 years and they break. One would expect longer service than that.