Noise from the clutch area

[Lawrence S.]

I have a 67 L-79 with about 2,000 miles on a frame off resto including mechanical resto.

While the car is in neutral and after the car is warmed up I hear what sounds like a mechanical chatter from the bellhousing area. If I push in the clutch the chatter disappears. When I turn the car off once it is warmed up I also hear a mechancial chatter from the bellshousing area as the motor completes it's last revolution.
Should I be concerned with this? It does not seem right.
I have a NAPA clutch, pressure plate and TO bearing in the car. I have read on this board that I should be running a LUK. Should I change out the clutch, pressure plate and TO bearing with the LUK? The pilot bearing is new and in the car.
While going through the gears and through acceleration the car runs fine. No noise or vibration.

Thanks so much!

[Jack P.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

I have a 67 L-79 with about 2,000 miles on a frame off resto including mechanical resto.

While the car is in neutral and after the car is warmed up I hear what sounds like a mechanical chatter from the bellhousing area. If I push in the clutch the chatter disappears. When I turn the car off once it is warmed up I also hear a mechancial chatter from the bellshousing area as the motor completes it's last revolution.
Should I be concerned with this? It does not seem right.
I have a NAPA clutch, pressure plate and TO bearing in the car. I have read on this board that I should be running a LUK. Should I change out the clutch, pressure plate and TO bearing with the LUK? The pilot bearing is new and in the car.
While going through the gears and through acceleration the car runs fine. No noise or vibration.

Thanks so much!

Have you check the free play in clutch pedal? Could it also be a shifter linkage adjustment problem in neutral?

Check the easy stuff first before you tear car apart. I have had Napa clutches, and few other without problems (250,000 miles on my 66 L79)

Was the clutch and flywheel balanced when out?

Jack

[Dale S.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

After doing the above, If you dont find anything, pull the inspection plate and look for loose pieces. You said it makes the noise as it stops running. D/

[Lawrence S.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

Have you check the free play in clutch pedal? Could it also be a shifter linkage adjustment problem in neutral?

Check the easy stuff first before you tear car apart. I have had Napa clutches, and few other without problems (250,000 miles on my 66 L79)

Was the clutch and flywheel balanced when out?

Jack

No the clutch and flywheel were not balanced when out. But I don't have any vibrations just this chatter. It sounds like something is loose like the throw out bearing, but it is new?

[Lawrence S.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

After doing the above, If you dont find anything, pull the inspection plate and look for loose pieces. You said it makes the noise as it stops running. D/

Yes, when I turn the car off, not every time but most times I will hear a chatter as the motor makes it's last revolution.

[Dale S.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

Very possible. Dale

[Albert P.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

Just a WAG but did you check to see if there is any interference from your exhaust pipe shields?

[William C.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

I had the same problem back in the 60's and it was the throwout bearing. Also, check that the throwout bearing is secure to the clutch fork. The key is when you push the clutch in slightly the noise goes away.

[Edward J.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

Larry, it could be possiable that the flywheel runout could cause the throwout bearing to be moving the clutch fork which is a easy check, look for movement of the clutch fork with the car running trans. in netural.just something else to look at. good luck

[Timothy B.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

Double check the inspection cover for interference with the flywheel..

[Chuck S.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

I had the same problem back in the 60's and it was the throwout bearing. Also, check that the throwout bearing is secure to the clutch fork. The key is when you push the clutch in slightly the noise goes away.

Not what he wanted to hear, but I agree with your diagnosis. However, I would have expected a "rustling" noise rather than a "chatter".

The TO bearing has to be lubed, installed, and adjusted as the service manual shows. If the TO bearing doesn't have the proper free play, the bearing can run continuously with the engine until it begins to fail. I had four or five noisy TO bearings early on in a 66 SBC. Then, I discovered I could adjust my own clutch using the service manual as soon as I got it home.

[John H.]

Re: Noise from the clutch area

Larry -

If the throwout bearing isn't installed correctly on the clutch fork (with the ends of the anti-rattle spring in the groove with the end of the fork), you'll get strange noises from that area with your foot off the pedal. The design permits it to be assembled wrong (with the ends of the spring rearward of the flange on the bearing), and some mechanics aren't aware of it. The same noise issue can result from the flat spring having broken; if that's the case, Paragon has the spring and its rivet.