Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference

Greg West · 01-07-2017, 06:54 PM

I have a 6022W Quick Time bellhousing, McLeod SoftLok clutch assembly, 16505 McLeod throwout bearing, and a 3887177 GM clutch fork. When I adjust the clutch ball so there is clearance between the pressure plate and the clutch fork, the clutch fork hits the engine side of the transmission face plate on the bellhousing before the pressure plate releases the clutch disc. Has anyone else run into this problem?

Thank you.

Chevy55 · 01-07-2017, 07:15 PM

I had that problem but when I changed to a motor plate it moved the trans back to give me the clearance. Maybe you could add another block plate to move the tranny back?

Greg Barsamian · 01-07-2017, 07:26 PM

Are you using Lakewood Clutch Linkage? (Lakewood Part # 2478)

Greg West · 01-07-2017, 07:42 PM

I have modified the pivot ball I have so I can adjust it in and out. With the pivot ball that came with the Quick Time, the fork is up tight against the pressure plate. I did compare the distance from the engine face to the trans face of the Quick Time bellhousing and an old Lakewood housing that I have. The Quick Time is .068" shorter than the Lakewood. This measurement includes the difference in thickness of the respective engine plates for each bellhousing.

Ed Carpenter · 01-07-2017, 07:56 PM

I got rid of the ball altogether and bought a Browell fork with a heim joint. Very adjustable both for depth and in and out.

Bob Gullett · 01-07-2017, 08:07 PM

What kind of clutch are you using? I used to run the QT 6022W with a stock fork, stock non adjustable fork pivot ball with a 16010 McLeod bearing and dual disc 7in clutch. Never had an issue with a fork hitting the pressure plate.

Greg West · 01-07-2017, 09:14 PM

Thanks for the replies. The clutch is a McLeod Soft Lok with a .380" thick disc. If I shorten the pivot ball so the fork doesn't hit the pressure plate, the fork will then hit the bellhousing when the clutch pedal is depressed preventing the clutch from disengaging.

Bob Gullett · 01-07-2017, 10:39 PM

I use the GM fork 3892632 not the Corvette style. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.

james schaechter · 01-07-2017, 11:49 PM

The throwoutbearing has spacers that you may have to take out To make it short enough. With a .380 disc it is pretty tight in there. Is it also shimmed between the flywheel and pp? You might have to put the QT spacer between the bell and block saver. I think the part number is rm-198. It is .250 thick. You would have to run a long pivot ball and check your crossmember and driveshaft fitment, but it opens up a lot more room for you.

T Ames · 01-08-2017, 12:14 AM

Like Ed, I went with the Browell fork and heim pivot. Best thing since sliced bread. Browell also has a variety of throwout bearing collar lengths available that might help.

01-07-2017, 06:54 PM	#1
Greg West Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 54 Likes: 11 Liked 46 Times in 19 Posts	Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference I have a 6022W Quick Time bellhousing, McLeod SoftLok clutch assembly, 16505 McLeod throwout bearing, and a 3887177 GM clutch fork. When I adjust the clutch ball so there is clearance between the pressure plate and the clutch fork, the clutch fork hits the engine side of the transmission face plate on the bellhousing before the pressure plate releases the clutch disc. Has anyone else run into this problem? Thank you.

01-07-2017, 07:15 PM	#2
Chevy55 Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 304 Likes: 606 Liked 167 Times in 83 Posts	Re: Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference I had that problem but when I changed to a motor plate it moved the trans back to give me the clearance. Maybe you could add another block plate to move the tranny back?

01-07-2017, 07:26 PM	#3
Greg Barsamian VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 1,383 Likes: 607 Liked 390 Times in 84 Posts	Re: Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference Are you using Lakewood Clutch Linkage? (Lakewood Part # 2478) Last edited by Greg Barsamian; 01-07-2017 at 07:28 PM.

01-07-2017, 07:42 PM	#4
Greg West Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 54 Likes: 11 Liked 46 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference I have modified the pivot ball I have so I can adjust it in and out. With the pivot ball that came with the Quick Time, the fork is up tight against the pressure plate. I did compare the distance from the engine face to the trans face of the Quick Time bellhousing and an old Lakewood housing that I have. The Quick Time is .068" shorter than the Lakewood. This measurement includes the difference in thickness of the respective engine plates for each bellhousing.

01-07-2017, 07:56 PM	#5
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,697 Likes: 185 Liked 502 Times in 125 Posts	Re: Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference I got rid of the ball altogether and bought a Browell fork with a heim joint. Very adjustable both for depth and in and out. __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

01-07-2017, 08:07 PM	#6
Bob Gullett VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,068 Likes: 41 Liked 407 Times in 91 Posts	Re: Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference What kind of clutch are you using? I used to run the QT 6022W with a stock fork, stock non adjustable fork pivot ball with a 16010 McLeod bearing and dual disc 7in clutch. Never had an issue with a fork hitting the pressure plate. __________________ 68 Chevy11 327 F/S

01-07-2017, 09:14 PM	#7
Greg West Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 54 Likes: 11 Liked 46 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference Thanks for the replies. The clutch is a McLeod Soft Lok with a .380" thick disc. If I shorten the pivot ball so the fork doesn't hit the pressure plate, the fork will then hit the bellhousing when the clutch pedal is depressed preventing the clutch from disengaging.

01-07-2017, 10:39 PM	#8
Bob Gullett VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,068 Likes: 41 Liked 407 Times in 91 Posts	Re: Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference I use the GM fork 3892632 not the Corvette style. Not sure if that makes a difference or not. __________________ 68 Chevy11 327 F/S

01-07-2017, 11:49 PM	#9
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,928 Likes: 1,064 Liked 1,212 Times in 249 Posts	Re: Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference The throwoutbearing has spacers that you may have to take out To make it short enough. With a .380 disc it is pretty tight in there. Is it also shimmed between the flywheel and pp? You might have to put the QT spacer between the bell and block saver. I think the part number is rm-198. It is .250 thick. You would have to run a long pivot ball and check your crossmember and driveshaft fitment, but it opens up a lot more room for you. __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

01-08-2017, 12:14 AM	#10
T Ames Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: the Brazos Valley of TX Posts: 105 Likes: 122 Liked 81 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Clutch Fork/Bellhousing Interference Like Ed, I went with the Browell fork and heim pivot. Best thing since sliced bread. Browell also has a variety of throwout bearing collar lengths available that might help.