fidanza flywheel

[brodykelly]

will be installing a fidanza alum. flywheel and blue spring clutch i got from the GREAT Lee Gaff and was wondering what everyone thought.....should i get the flywheel balanced? should i change the pilot bushing and throwout bearing while i'm there? do you believe the pressure plate is good? the car has 40k miles....it's Peter Bernards old ylw 93 Z....by the way if anyone knows how to get in touch w peter please PM me..... brody p.

[VetteMed]

Definitely change pilot bushing and release bearing (throwout bearing), there'll never be an easier time to get to those items! I suppose one could argue that with 40K, the throwout bearing might still be very serviceable, but given that the trans needs to be pulled to change it, do you really want to tempt ol' man Murphy?

As for the pressure plate, if the clutch previously was holding well, I suppose you could reuse it as long as the friction surface looks good. I know that the fingers of the diaphragm spring are rated for a certain number of cycles, and at 40K I am sure there's lots of life left in it. I'd probably still replace it, but I have gotten tired of doing the same job twice.

Andrew

[GOLDCYLON]

I concur with Andrew on the bearing and the bushing. I would replace the friction ring as well since it is used.

[mgbrv8]

I would attend to the rear seal also while you are in there.

Dave

[limey]

Don't forget, i still have the LT5 Original pressure plates and INA Release bearings for sale $265.00 shipped for members. Sold 2 of them yesterday to members, still have about 6 left.

[LGAFF]

Marc Haibeck advised me if there is nothing suspect on the throw out to not change it...rare part

[LGAFF]

good price from Mr. White...might be worth it...

[brodykelly]

thanks for the info guys...is there any specific tools i'll need for this clutch/flywheel changeout....i got the clutch alignment tool, but the manual shows a tool for removing the pilot...is it Z specific...just wanna have all part and tools ready for the job...no one replied if they would balance the flywheel???? talk to me guys, i'm heading into unchartered waters...but i will succede!!!! with the proper info.... brody p.

[XfireZ51]

I would attend to the rear seal also while you are in there.

Dave

Good advice BTW. Something I need to get to once I pull Dana 44 for gears.

Brody,

The usual trick for the pilot bushing has been to pump grease behind it and have it pop out. However, I think I heard that was a no-no with the
LT-5. I have a small puller where 2 jaws get in there and then draw the bushing out. Also told the brass bearing should be used. The roller bearing
breaks down.

Also, no need to balance the Fidanza. They're pretty good from the manufacturer. I've had 2 of them and Marc H says he install them with no balancing necessary. JUst make sure you are using the coorrect ARP bolts.

[Scrrem]

thanks for the info guys...is there any specific tools i'll need for this clutch/flywheel changeout....i got the clutch alignment tool, but the manual shows a tool for removing the pilot...is it Z specific...just wanna have all part and tools ready for the job...no one replied if they would balance the flywheel???? talk to me guys, i'm heading into unchartered waters...but i will succede!!!! with the proper info.... brody p.

No, the pilot bearing tool is not ZR-1 specific, Northern tool sells one that works fine. You want to be "Ever So Careful" when pulling and re-installing the bearing that you do not dislodge the crankshaft plug that is seated just behind the pilot bearing. This plug seals the oil gallery that runs through the center of the crankshaft. If that plug get's dislodged, you could cause that plug to start leaking engine oil. I have heard of people balancing the FW and clutch assembly's but don't think it's really necessary. Maybe someone else can chime in here.
Rich

[brodykelly]

thanks guys, ill save the cash for balancing, no special tools needed, where do i get the bolts [arp] you mention, do they have a bolt kit LT5 Fidanza specific, if not will they know what quantity and size/length i need. just covering my bases...thanks brody p. ps. the seal you refer to is that the tail shaft seal on tranny??

[XfireZ51]

thanks guys, ill save the cash for balancing, no special tools needed, where do i get the bolts [arp] you mention, do they have a bolt kit LT5 Fidanza specific, if not will they know what quantity and size/length i need. just covering my bases...thanks brody p. ps. the seal you refer to is that the tail shaft seal on tranny??


Check out the SRP website. Bolts are on this page. $112 but piece of mind for me.
http://www.zr1products.com/#!products

Also the seal we are talking about is the rear main on the motor. It will be exposed once clutch and FW are removed. Good time to R&R it.

I knew there was a reason for not pressuring the pilot bearing. Thanks for the reminder Sccrem

[brodykelly]

thanks for the info xfire!!! brody p.

[brodykelly]

i spoke with jim jandik yesterday and he recommended going back with the stock clutch setup, i really didn't know if i would like the noise created by the fidanza. jims a great guy, he spent the time to explain in detail what i'm looking forward to w my clutch install, i'll keep the fidanza/blue spring disc i got from Lee as spares for the time being. i can't wait for the parts to arrive from JIM!!! going to try to get the tranny out this weekend [if wife allows] and get the underneath cleaned up in anticipation for mey new clutch to arrive and get her together and on the road again!!! brody p.

[LGAFF]

Brody you can send it back if you want and I will give you a full refund and cover shipping...

[A26B]

Here's a simple tool I made from bolts to help align the trans during install to avoid ever letting the weight of the trans rest on the clutch disk which can warp the disc. Just screw them into the bellhousing, a couple in the top holes and another on the side or bottom, just enough to have full thread engagement in the bellhousing. Slide the trans in & install one bolt just snug to hold it in place then use your fingers to remove the alignment studs.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z224/A26B/transalignstudtool.jpg

[mgbrv8]

You can also use the c member bolts. Hammer taught me that it works really well.

Dave

[brodykelly]

thanks for the bolt suggestion, good idea!!! no big deal Lee i'll keep the stuff i got from you and after doing my first clutch installation i'll be able to guage what it takes and down the road if i change my mind on the fidanza i'll know what i need to do and have the parts to do it on hand!! thanks to all....let the disassembly begin...hopefully saturday afternoon!!!! brody p.

[Jagdpanzer]

where do i get the bolts [arp] you mention, do they have a bolt kit LT5 Fidanza specific, if not will they know what quantity and size/length i need. just covering my bases...thanks brody p.

Here is another way to go on the pressure plate bolts which saves some money. Get two packages (5 bolts in each package) of ARP 654-2750 3/8"-16 x 2.75" bolts and one package (10 washers) of ARP 200-8688 0.150" thick Special Purpose Washers. Run a 3/8-16 bottom tap through the Fidanza flywheel theaded holes as deep as you can. Then cut off the end of the Arp bolt to correspond with threaded depth of the flywheel holes.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ARP-654-2750/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ARP-200-8688/

[Paul Workman]

thanks for the info guys...is there any specific tools i'll need for this clutch/flywheel changeout....i got the clutch alignment tool, but the manual shows a tool for removing the pilot...is it Z specific...just wanna have all part and tools ready for the job...no one replied if they would balance the flywheel???? talk to me guys, i'm heading into unchartered waters...but i will succede!!!! with the proper info.... brody p.

AutoZone will rent you the tool for free. YOu pay a security deposit, but if you opt to keep the tool, you can and they keep the deposit. AND, in cases where I wanted a tool that was new, I was able to purchase the tool new from them at the "security deposit" price. AZ has quickly become my favorite local parts store for general "stuff"!

FW bolts...

I believe it was Hammer that suggested I buy the 7/16 x 20s (?) x 1-1/8" grade 8s (I got mine at ACE H/W) and 8 SBC hardened head bolt washers I got from an auto parts store. Use RED Locktite and torque to spec.

Matter of fact, I followed Hammer's advice pretty much to the letter; the FW bolts, and tapping the holes for the PP bolts to accept the longer (I bought the SRP kit - bolts and tap). Works like a friggin charm!

P.

[Jagdpanzer]

These are the strongest bolts I've found that are of the right length for the Fidanza Al flywheel. Go with 3 packages as 8 bolts are required.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ARP-230-7303/