Novak Clutch

Installed my Novak hydraulic clutch the other day, having issues putting it into gear. It has new flywheel/pressure plate, throw out bearing, fork, slave, MC. It’s grinding the gears! Any help would be great.. if Anyone has done this conversion, I tried installing spacers between slave and bellhouse and still nothing. Fluid leaked our plunger because fork went further then it should

 

Maybe its jamming the fingers of the pressure plate into the clutch disk?

 

What drive train are you running? What is your throw out bearing to pressure plate clearance? These clutch set ups can be difficult to get right on the first try. IT sounds like the clutch fork is over traveling, because the angle isn't correct. The clutch fork has to be angled towards the front of the vehicle. Are you using an adjustable pivot ball? The first one I set up in my YJ kicked my A$$. I'll help if I can, Ron

 

I run a Novak hydraulic clutch on my 225 SM465 setup. I used an adjustable pivot ball and adjustable throwout bearing to get things correct.

 

There are 3 variables with a clutch... and I had to play with all 3 when I installed my Novak clutch.

1. pivot stud in bell housing.
2. Throwout bearing (adjustable)
3. Slave pushrod

sounds to me you aren’t getting enough engagement and the clutch isn’t releasing all the way.
start simple and see if you can extended the pushrod to get more throw from the arm.
Next step would unfortunately be in the bellhousing

 

I do not know exact distance of bearing to P-plate. I installed all new plate and throw out Bearings 3 yrs ago. It’s the standard bearing from kaiser I believe. The fork and all are from Novak conversion kit. So longer fork, 3/4 slave. Before installing it I lightly push the fork to the rear and I hear it connect and still have about an inch to go before it “bottoms out” to the bellhouse. Novak sent me a new slave (thank you to them they are understanding) I will reinstall this one, bleed the system, extend the plunger as far as I can and see if that works. Next step may be adjustable pivot ball.

btw it’s a 225 with T90 and 18 TC

 

That's why they sell those adjustable throwout Bearings. I'll be dealing with this soon so I'm definitly following to see the issues / solutions.

T18 getting closer...

 

The older mechanical setups are far more forgiving. See my experience here. Fork ratio very important. What Did You Do To Your Jeep Today?

 

I was very much NOT impressed with adjustable T/O bearing. It uses roll pins to secure the threads. I just looked up part specs until I found one of the size I needed.

 

How would I know what dimensions I need for TO bearing?

 

Well, you need to measure and choose one. Its a bit of trial and error. To adjust the NovakT/O bearing, you need to pull it apart, so its not really any more convenient. It can be VERY annoying to mix all these parts and figure out a solution.

You will need to find a part list with the dimensions of available T/O bearings for the front bearing retainer.

 

The front bearing retainer on my t18 was turned down a bit to slip fit a GM Bearing. I'm just not sure how to measure -- with the clutch mounted to the engine and the bearing being in the bell. Seems that after you put the two together - there's no way to measure???


I hope were not getting to off track with this thread. Seems maybe still on topic.

 

Like I said, it can be aggravating. I cant find a bearing chart with dimensions. I did use one when i had to choose one to work with my SM420 and the chevelle clutch I used with he 225/sm420.. I dont really know if my sm420/4.3 is going to work right until I get it back together. If its not right, i will be trying to measure in a difficult spot or most likely just getting the next size bearing, pulling the transmission and making it happen. The devil is in the details.

 

So in the original post he may need a taller/thicker TO Bearing? Or maybe a longer pivot post? Or....

 

Good read here. Gets into the nitty gritty of setup further down.
The Novak Guide to Clutches, Linkages & Bellhousings for Jeep® Conversions

 

So I got my T90 to shift freely since 1st gear was somewhat frozen. Installed my 3/4 Novak hydraulic slave and tried to take it out for its first run. Started my old dauntless up pushed clutch (which was soft/spongy) tried engaging 1st gear and it grinned a bit. To I tried second, it went in fine/smooth. But no movement with the old beast. I even let off clutch and brake and it didn’t stall out... what is going on? No o don’t know my measurements because it was 3+yrs ago when I installed all new pressure plate and TO bearings. Any clues???

 

Clutch engaged? Back off the release arm.

 

I had the same problem when I did my SM465. I never knew GM made so many!

 

Is your transfer case in neutral?