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'32 Clutch drag?

With the clutch pedal fully depressed and the clutch pedal adjustment to the maximum, the clutch on my '32 appears to be dragging; for I cannot shift from neutral to first gear without that all too familiar grinding sound that would have sent a Chevy mechanic to the stockroom gleefully looking for replacement transmission parts.

At the time I was experiencing this problem, the car was fully supported on jack stands. With engine off I can select any gear, start the engine and have the rear wheels spinning at the appropriate speed for the chosen gear with the clutch pedal to the floor. The one thing I can't remember is whether or not the engine stalled after applying the brakes with the clutch pedal fully depressed.

The clutch and transmission had been dismantled and rebuilt in 2004 with new linings on the existing clutch plate. I assume that the flywheel and the pressure plate are in satisfactory condition for two reasons: my shop did not invoice me for resurfacing or replacement of same, and the engine had less than 1,000 miles on it after it was rebuilt before it was put into long term storage in 1952.

The one item in the clutch assembly that was swapped out by my shop in 2004 was the clutch throwout bearing plate. The replacement item appears to be identical to the item replaced with one exception, new item appears to be approximately 1/2 the height of the replaced item. I define the height of the throwout bearing plate as the distance between the surfaces where the throwout bearing makes contact with the throwout bearing plate to the contact surface that presses against the clutch pressure lever.

The measured distance between the two contact surfaces on the throwout bearing plate that was replaced in 2004 is 9/16".

1) What is the correct throwout bearing plate for a '32?

2) Is the solution to install the old throwout bearing plate or do I have a different problem?
(Taking the car back to the shop that did the work in 2004 is NOT an option; it was the problem.)

Thanks,

I would recommend you pull the transmission, and with a copy of the repair manual nearby, and a digital camera, follow exactly the instructions in the manual. If you do not find anything "out of whack", find one of your friends that is mechanically inclined and ask him/her to assist in locating the problem.