when i am driving my 79 rx-7 and i release the clutch, (the plate and gasket are off around the shifter, and im in gear) ther is this stange sratchy metal on metal sort of noise!

 

Maybe the throwout bearing is not releasing all the way?

 

when the car is just idling and i release the clutch (no, i am not in gear! and the plate around the shifter is back on) i hear it. Also my RPMs drop when its not held in.

 

Yeah, don't worry too much. They will make noise for a very long time before anything bad happens (somebody correct me if I'm wrong here). Just plan on addressing it when you change out your clutch. Mine actually got better after two years. Used to drag the idle down like you said and was very noisy, now its silent and the rpms stay the same...

 

thats great to hear. Just wondering, what/why is the noise?

 

It can sometimes be the pilot bearing as well. It will make noise for a long time before it actually has any problems. The throwout and pilot bearings are should always be replaced when you change out a clutch or pull the tranny. They don't cost that much and since its all apart you may as well. Just take the noise as a reminder that you'll be needing some clutch/tranny work some time in the future.

 

I concur, pilot or throw out bearing is going bad, not an issue until you change the clutch though.

 

^^^i concur....throwout bearing is the culprit!

most likely you wont have any trouble with it...but id start saving some $$ just in case...because theres no way to know for sure when that bearing will give out completely...