Like the title says, I just replaced the clutch and pressure plate on my 81 gsl. the motor doesn't seem to run as smoothly as it used to. Barely noticable even at higher rpms. Just makes the motor sound slightly different at higher rpms. Used an aftermarket PP from BAP GEON. Any ideas. I really really don't feel like pulling the tranny again.

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maybe the pressure plate, which is spinning with the flywheel and eccentric shaft is, slightly out of balance or heavier altogether. just an idea

 

? I don't know. I used the partially threaded bolt to line everything up. I will have to start digging into it next weekend i guess

 

The partially threaded bolt? You're probably talking about one of the two alignment bolts. They have an unthreaded section which helps to align the P plate.

One thing I've noticed with stock p-plates is that the two holes the alignment bolts are supposed to fit in, are slightly smaller than the others. Sometimes people don't realise this and end up installing the p-plate in the wrong 'clock' position. There typically is a small mark on the flywheel and the p-plate (at least on the stock ones I've messed with) that indicates which holes are supposed to go together.

Maybe yours is 120° off? If the alignment bolts' thick, unthreaded shank does not fit tightly into the holes, there is a chance that the p-plate is offset to one side. It's only maybe .5mm, but it could cause a noticeable imbalance. Or maybe it's on correctly and your aftermarket p-plate was machined poorly.

I doubt it will cause a problem in the long term, but I know it'll be on your mind whenever you drive it spiritedly. For piece of mind, you could dig into it again and maybe have the p-plate balanced at a machine shop (or whatever shop can do that sort of thing), then install it making sure the alignment bolts are in the correct holes and/or the marks line up (if you can find them).

 

Did you mark the driveshaft and replace it in the same position after you reinstalled the tranny?

 

Jeff - I am now leaning towards this pp being a poorly made pos. I used both alignment bolt and everything was faily snug. I think I am just going to get a mazda pp. Mazda parts seem to always be better that anything aftermarket anyway. I am just not looking forward to pulling the tranny again.

rotor - I have never heard of needing to do that.