Camaro and Firebird: Torque Specs and Information for Installing Clutch and Flywheel
Need some specs for your F-Body flywheel and clutch? This article has all the info you need.
This article applies to the Camaro and Firebird (1990-2002).
Those who row their own gears (a.k.a. fans of manual transmission) are quite familiar with clutches and flywheels. Those two parts play a big role in the operation of a manual tranny, resting between the transmission itself and the engine. When you're driving down the road and your foot is off the pedal, springs push the pressure plate against the clutch disc, which presses against the flywheel. This causes the engine to lock to the transmission input shaft and makes them spin at the same speed. Stouter clutches can hold more force and stand up to higher horsepower engines. Much like brake pads, a clutch has friction material that wears away over time, which is accelerated by a slipping or sticking clutch. As you can imagine, proper installation is key to making these parts last a long time, and that includes torquing them to spec.
Torque Specifications
Flywheel bolts should be torqued to 74 ft-lbs, while the pressure plate bolts should be torqued to 52 lb-ft. GM recommends doing this in stages: torque the flywheel bolts to 15 lb-ft the first time, then 37 lb-ft, then 74 lb-ft. The reason for this is so you won't apply too much pressure too fast, which could strip a bolt or break it apart. When torquing the bolts, do so in a star pattern like when you install a wheel on the car. This will ensure even pressure is applied as you go.
Installation Notes and Specs
If you're installing an aftermarket clutch and flywheel, you'll want to measure and see if your particular application needs a shim or not, even though one is typically included in the kit. Proper measurements will ensure that the clutch doesn't engage too high or too low, and will prevent premature wear on various transmission components.
If you choose to install a new pilot bearing (not a bad idea if you're doing this much work), tap it in place with a hammer before installing the flywheel. Once the flywheel is in place and torqued, hold the disc and pressure plate up to the flywheel and start the pressure plate bolts by hand. Insert the clutch alignment tool next and keep it straight while you begin tightening the pressure plate to the flywheel bolts using a crossing pattern. Once the pressure plate bolts are torqued, remove the clutch alignment tool. Next, install the bell housing and torque the bolts to 35 lb-ft. Install the slave (pre-lubing it with some brake fluid if new), using red Loctite on the bolts. Torque them to around 60 in-lbs to prevent them from stripping, then install the shim before bolting the transmission in place.
Related Discussions
- Torque Specs for Clutch and Flywheel - LS1Tech.com
- Torque specs for Clutch Components - LS1Tech.com
- Flywheel and Pressure Plate Torque Specs - LS1Tech.com
