[Zach]

Howdy, trying to finalize my 5 speed installation and I am running into some issues. My original setup was wrong and worse so I have nothing to compare it to was just hoping someone could tell me this is normal or some way to fix it. In the video all of that movement is done with my hand on the z bar with no resistance, the first inch or so of pedal movement if you were sitting in the car. I moved the clutch return spring to be more parallel and it helped with some of the slop. Wouldn't think of this being an issue but the TOB requires an air gap so it doesn't ride on the pressure plate + this slop moves the clutch engagement further down on my pedal. Brand new clutch fork, McLeod TOB, on a TKX bearing retainer. Only thing not original is the bell housing, pivot ball, and linkage. Thanks.

Clutch fork: 9787069
TOB: McLeod 16505

Currently dropping the transmission because I noticed my new flywheel bolts are too long and pressing against the crank so I am starting from scratch anyways...

https://youtube.com/shorts/jKnhHjXRW...JtUzmnzaxyaRH-

[Mr. G]

Not sure, but that looks like the GTO type clutch fork. I believe the firebird one has a flatter arm but I will have to look at mine to confirm this.

[Mr. G]

Looks like I am wrong about the clutch fork being a GTO type, but when looking up the PN 9787069, there is no mention of it being for a F body car. In your video, it does look like the clutch fork is not centered on the TOB , but maybe a little past the center point. Seems it would have a better grasp of the TOB if it were centered. Is the clutch fork a reproduction piece?

[Zach]

Originally Posted by Mr. G

Looks like I am wrong about the clutch fork being a GTO type, but when looking up the PN 9787069, there is no mention of it being for a F body car. In your video, it does look like the clutch fork is not centered on the TOB , but maybe a little past the center point. Seems it would have a better grasp of the TOB if it were centered. Is the clutch fork a reproduction piece?

Hard to say if my original fork was the ACTUAL original, but did some more hand testing with the transmission out of the car and I feel like I like the older one better, hard to say without it fully installed. The new one is the one I received from my transmission guy.

I will attach a photo. They seem to hold the TOB the same...
Old one is the dirty one, new is shiny. New one just feels wrong, the middle of the arm is hitting the front of the bell housing but the rest of the geometry is VERY similar. Old one also has a different spring type pressure on the pivot ball that seems to help it. I am unsure what the actual stock fork is like.

according to firebird centrals store my old one is the original style, besides that I cannot find confirmation.

[Mr. G]

In the photos the old one looks to be a little longer than the new one. From what I see on the internet, the old one looks more like a PN C926321 which I believe is a chevy part. Does the old one measure 11 1/2 " long? What car are you working on? The new one looks like a reproduction which some people have commented is a little different in the area where it attaches to the TOB, but I think it looks closer to original that the old one. I bought a reproduction one for my '70 T/A but didn't like it so I found an original one in good condition on the internet and bought that to use when i finally get around to putting the car back together.

[Zach]

Originally Posted by Mr. G

In the photos the old one looks to be a little longer than the new one. From what I see on the internet, the old one looks more like a PN C926321 which I believe is a chevy part. Does the old one measure 11 1/2 " long? What car are you working on? The new one looks like a reproduction which some people have commented is a little different in the area where it attaches to the TOB, but I think it looks closer to original that the old one. I bought a reproduction one for my '70 T/A but didn't like it so I found an original one in good condition on the internet and bought that to use when i finally get around to putting the car back together.

New is about 10 3/4 old is 11 1/8. The clutch rod dimple is about 10 1/2 on both. I might get a new one from firebirdcentral if I cannot get a better answer from here, hard to search for one as well. I know previous owners did some sketchy things so it is hard to say what is original.

1977 Trans Am. Original Pontiac 400/4 Speed. Putting a TKX in.

[Mr. G]

OK. Let me look under the '77 T/A I have here to see what fork it has.

[Mr. G]

Looking online, I see Butler Performance offers clutch fork part # APE-R167DA which looks like your old fork. You may want to look at that, and they have some comments about it also which may be helpful.

[Zach]

Originally Posted by Mr. G

Looking online, I see Butler Performance offers clutch fork part # APE-R167DA which looks like your old fork. You may want to look at that, and they have some comments about it also which may be helpful.

Sounds good I appreciate it the help. Could I bother you for a picture of your return spring and setup, etc.? I put the transmission back in yesterday with my old fork and it seems to be marginally better, I am going to blame the rest on old linkage and such. I am confident my spring isn't original, but the factory mount seems to be on the frame slightly above, there is a bracket there for it.

Thanks again.

[Mr. G]

got a pic of the return spring and fork. The fork is the same as your original one so probably good that you decided to re-use it. I am not good at posting pics on here but I can e-mail it to you if you pm me with an e-mail address. Yes. the factory mount for the return spring is bolted to the frame below the Z bar.

[76TA462]

These pictures are the original clutch fork from my 1976 Trans Am. Googgled the part number and it matches for my car. Your part number Googgles as being for a Chevrolet. No idea why I save this stuff, but now I know LOL.