4spd release bearing vs 5spd release bearing

[Reverend]

Last weekend i removed the engine/tranny from the car and im swapping 77 5 speed. BUT they seem to have different kind of release bearings. Smaller is from 5 speed and bigger from 4 speed. Will the 5 speed bearing work fine with L24 clutch? I have new exedy clutch kit for 240z...

[Carl Beck]

What you have pictured are the Release Bearing and Release Bearing Collar. The Bearings are the same. The input shaft on the 4 spd. and 5 spd. are the same length.

The thing that is different between the "original" 240Z and the 77 280Z is the thickness of the Clutch Pressure Plates. The original 240Z Clutch Pressure Plate is thicker - and it uses the short Release/Throw-out Bearing Collar.

So the Question is - Is the new Exedy Clutch Pressure Plate - thinner than the one you had in your Car. Take the old Pressure Plate and the New one - sit them on a level surface - and measure the height from the level service - to the top of the Pressure Plate "fingers".

If the new Pressure Plate is thinner - you use the longer Release/throw-out bearing Collar.

If the new Pressure Plate is thicker - you use the shorter Release/throw-out bearing Collar.

Remember the Input Shaft on the 4 and 5 spd. are the same length. So the combined length of the Pressure Plate and Release/Throw-out bearing has to be the same. Thicker Pressure Plate - shorter collar. Thinner Pressure Plate-longer collar.

By the Way - in original form, the 77 5spd. should have had the longer Release/throw-out bearing Collar, because in original form the 77 should have had the thinner Clutch Pressure Plate. Are you sure you didn't get them confused after you took them out?

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Reverend]

Yessir, i did not confuse them. Its easy to see the difference, one that is all greasy is from 4 speed, one that is not, is from 5 speed..I have to measure those pressure plates.

[Oiluj]

Carl,

If I understand correctly, keeping the clutch arm, bearing and clutch plate from the 4-speed will work with the 5-speed?

Julio

[Arne]

Yes, the bearing collar needs to match the pressure plate. If you are not changing the clutch during a transmission swap, you want to re-use the collar that worked with the clutch in the car.

[Diseazd]

Koalia.....The sleeve on the left (in your first post) is a 240Z collar. If you have a new Excedy 240Z clutch and pressue plate, you would use the collar on the left. The throw out bearings are the same for either 240Z or 280Z.

[Reverend]

Okay thanks guys. Im just confused why that 280z tranny had a 240z collar... Is that larger collar from what z?

[Carl Beck]

Reviewing my Post #2 above - and given that you were using the taller Collar with the pressure plate in your car..

I should have written:

If the new Pressure Plate is the same thickness as your old one - you use the longer Release/throw-out bearing Collar.

If the new Pressure Plate is thicker - you use the shorter Release/throw-out bearing Collar.

It sounds like Diseard purchased that Excedy Clutch Kit recently - and found it still contains the thicker Pressure Plate. If that is the case the one you get should be thicker than the one that was in your car with the 4spd.

Let us know - side by side pictures would be great.

FWIW,

Carl B.

Edited October 9, 2012 by Carl Beck

[Diseazd]

Okay thanks guys. Im just confused why that 280z tranny had a 240z collar... Is that larger collar from what z?

First of all, there is no 240Z or 280Z tranny.......they are all exactly the same dimensions. Think 240Z or 280Z clutch and collar. Like Carl said.....to confirm what you had, put the old and new clutch face down on the floor. Stick a ruler down the center of the clutch......measure the distance from the floor to where the throw out bearing contacts the clutch fingers. The old greasy clutch fingers should be closer to the floor (less distance) than the new Exedy clutch. That's why you used the tall (greasy) collar, because you had a 280Z clutch, but now you have a 240Z clutch and need the shorter collar.

[Reverend]

Okay thanks, the old clutch was branded as Atsugi and has "remanufactured" stamp. Seemed to be in nice condition but i might as well change it. BTW do you need to resurface the flywheel when putting new clutch?

[Diseazd]

IMO ......Always replace the clutch and pressure plate and throw out bearing. Resurface the flywheel as well. It's a PIA to remove the tranny.......while it's out, do it right!

[Reverend]

Sir yessir!