Flywheel shims, transmission grinding
 

Is it possible to install shims(left out by some previous owner) at top of flywheel while engine and tranny are installed on my 4 DR? My tranny grinds whenever trying to shift all gears forward and reverse. Thanks for any and all help, George.

Re: Flywheel shims, transmission grinding
 

Yes, the installation of the shims can be accomplished without removing anything from the car. Back the two bolts off that hold the accelerator mechanism to the two ears. With the use of a crow bar there is enough give to allow the two horse shoe spacers to be dropped from the top.

However, I doubt you will find the missing spacers are the cause of the gears grinding. I would suspect a worn clutch disk or one that is out of adjustment.

The clutch adjustment attached to the clutch pedal is only to adjust the throw-out bearing back from the disk.

A more important adjustment is the fingers on the pressure plate. These should be adjusted so there is a distance from the back side of the pressure plate to each finger. The adjustment should be between 5\8" and 3\4", 11\16" being nominal. If the clutch disk is worn severely it should be replaced.

Tom Endy

Re: Flywheel shims, transmission grinding
 

Another easily fixed cause for such gear grinding is that the engine idle is set too high. With our straight-cut gears and lack of synchromesh rings, a high idle for sure will cause the grinding you describe. Lower the idle a little and see if that helps. If not, move on to Plan B, whatever the heck that is.
Marshall