Moparts Tech Archive

Manual & Clutches

Clutch fork questions

O.K. guys, Got a question for ya. I need to know the actual legnth of an A-Body clutch fork? I'm thinking mine is too long.

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64dodge572
Moparts Member
Posts: 150
From: ohio
Registered: Dec 2001
posted 01-17-2003 11:39 PM

The overall length of an a-body clutch fork (68-up) is approximately 12 1/2"

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4speeds4me
Moparts Member
Posts: 4273
From: Sicamous, B.C., CANADA
Registered: Sep 2001
posted 01-18-2003 02:31 AM

That sounds about right.
What is making you think yours is too long???

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Bolig
Moparts Member
Posts: 129
From: Lakeland Florida, USA
Registered: Mar 2001
posted 01-18-2003 12:02 PM

You're a pretty smart cookie there 4speeds. how did you know I thought mine was too long? (never thought I would be able to say that.)I am thinking that because if I get the throwout bearing just off of the pressure plate, it doesn't release the clutch enough to shift properly. I was thinking a shorter one would increase the travel distance at the bearing.

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russg
Moparts Member
Posts: 527
From: Boston
Registered: Dec 2000
posted 01-18-2003 01:08 PM

Yeah, the small-block fork is over a foot long; the BB one is about 10" & won't fit. I didn't know there were two different ones until I tried the fork I had & the fingers wouldn't reach the bearing. I swapped it for the longer fork. Now, answer me this: how long is the Z-bar, and more importantly, what does the stud assembly on the BH side look like? I can't get that assembly put together correctly on my A-body. Thanks.

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Jimmy
Moparts Member
Posts: 1040
From: North to the Future
Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-18-2003 02:26 PM

yep about 12 1/2" is right.
sm blk, A Body torqe shaft/Z-Bar = 7"

Jimmy

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fast71
Moparts Member
Posts: 1884
From: Old town,fl,usa
Registered: Oct 2001
posted 01-18-2003 05:00 PM

BB is 10 1/2",if that's what you have I'll trade ya' for a 12 1/2" SB one,i'm only a short distance away.

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goldduster318
Moparts Member
Posts: 2154
From: Corry, Pennsylvania
Registered: Mar 2000
posted 01-18-2003 06:12 PM

Bolig:
I'm thinking you may have a 6cyl one? I don't know if that would be a different length or not.

Have you tried adjusting the clutch linkage?

BTW: you want me to get get you a clearer version of your sig pic?

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Bolig
Moparts Member
Posts: 129
From: Lakeland Florida, USA
Registered: Mar 2001
posted 01-18-2003 08:28 PM

Gold,
yes I do have a six cylinder one, that's why I was asking about the small block unit.Yep, played with the linkage for a while. Hey if you can clear that image up, great, thanks.
Fast,
I was just at Old Town for the cruise. Left early cause it was too cold and no mopars there tonight. Leaving for Los Angeles at 4:30 a.m., so I will be gone for a while. Later guys

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4speeds4me
Moparts Member
Posts: 4273
From: Sicamous, B.C., CANADA
Registered: Sep 2001
posted 01-18-2003 08:59 PM

Check the length of the arms on the Z-bar.

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fastmark
Moparts Member
Posts: 921
From: abilene, TX, USA
Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-18-2003 10:30 PM

The pivot in the bell housing could be the wrong one too. I just carried all of my parts books over to the shop and looked up the numbers for the 68-70 B and E but did not look at the A body stuff. I think they are diff.

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4speeds4me
Moparts Member
Posts: 4273
From: Sicamous, B.C., CANADA
Registered: Sep 2001
posted 01-19-2003 11:42 AM

Oh, and yes. In theory a shorter fork would give you more release, but there would be a problem with lining it up with the Z-bar.
AFAIK, the /6 forks are the same length. What I'm not sure about is whether or not they pivot in the same place. That could have some bearing on this as well.

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DoctorDiff
Moparts Member
Posts: 926
From: Polson, MT
Registered: Jan 2002
posted 01-19-2003 12:09 PM

Are you running a diaphragm clutch with the spring still attached to the pedal? That will prohibit the fork from returning properly.
Also, how is the alignment of the Z-bar to the engine and linkage? It should be very perpendicular to the engine and both linkage rods.

The 6-cylinder Z-bar must be shortened by about 1" on the engine side to work with a V-8. Otherwise, the geometry of the bar is the same as the V-8 version. I always end up repositioning the ball stud bracket for use on a V-8.

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