TKX Post Swap RPM Related Vibration

[1970DCH]

I completed my TKX swap (I will post a more thorough write up in due time with my experience) but I have an RPM related vibration. I’m hoping someone here might have some input before I pull the transmission out to inspect the rotating assemblies. Basically, I have a vibration that gets worse the higher up the RPM I go. It is NOT speed related and in fact, very smooth at all speeds at lower RPM, ruling out driveshaft issues or pinion angle issues.

Has anyone experienced this using a kit from SST? My engine is an internally balanced engine and the related parts are correctly 0 balance for my application. I’m kicking myself to not have checked the parts, but instructions did not mention that I needed to do this.

Is there a way I can test/ rule things out?
- I’ve confirmed that nothing is hitting anywhere.
- I’ve confirmed that it is not speed related, but RPM related.
- I had triple checked my runout calculation
- I had triple checked that my pilot bearing was seated properly.
- everything torqued properly.
- no issues with installing the transmission to the bell housing.
- my engine is firing on all cylinders.
- there is no clutch slippage or juddering.

- Am I just dealing with a faulty flywheel/ pressure plate, most likely? I’m pretty disappointed to have to pull it all out at this point…

 

[PurpleBeeper]

It sure sounds like your flywheel/pressure plate isn’t balanced

 

[furious70]

Was the engine running without issue with a different transmission?

 

[1970DCH]

Was the engine running without issue with a different transmission?

Yes; it had a 904 and there was no vibration at all.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

If it is in the flywheel/clutch you should be able to duplicate it sitting still... Trans in neutral bring the engine RPM's up... Does it vibrate?

Everything in the trans spins except the output shaft.... The input, the counter shaft, all the speed gears... Everything... Along with the clutch & flywheel...

 

[Charlie Brown]

Two suggestions - 1) - call SST, 2) - recheck pinion angle. When I did my TKX conversion, I had a slight vibration which I traced back to my pinion angle. I only had to correct the angle 2 degrees, but that made the difference.

 

[1970DCH]

If it is in the flywheel/clutch you should be able to duplicate it sitting still... Trans in neutral bring the engine RPM's up... Does it vibrate?

Everything in the trans spins except the output shaft.... The input, the counter shaft, all the speed gears... Everything... Along with the clutch & flywheel...

In neutral it is still there. I did just read that if I do this test in gear with clutch disengaged (and if it still vibrates), then it rules out the clutch and transmission, leaving the flywheel and PP.

 

[1970DCH]

Two suggestions - 1) - call SST, 2) - recheck pinion angle. When I did my TKX conversion, I had a slight vibration which I traced back to my pinion angle. I only had to correct the angle 2 degrees, but that made the difference.

Yes, I have been in contact with them, running through some variables. On the pinion angle, I did check that and needed to adjust by 2 degrees, but the vibration isn’t movement/ road speed related, it’s tied to RPM. It’s looking more and more like out of balance flywheel/ PP.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Sounds like you have it pinpointed pretty well.... Now ya just gotta find the time/motivation to fix it....

 

[1970DCH]

Sounds like you have it pinpointed pretty well.... Now ya just gotta find the time/motivation to fix it....

Right…definitely disappointed; what I’ve learned is that even if the components are said* to be zero balance from the factory, you should still confirm if not specifically confirmed from the factory.

 

[dodgeboy440]

Right…definitely disappointed; what I’ve learned is that even if the components are said* to be zero balance from the factory, you should still confirm if not specifically confirmed from the factory.

Right…definitely disappointed; what I’ve learned is that even if the components are said* to be zero balance from the factory, you should still confirm if not specifically confirmed from the factory.

Right…definitely disappointed; what I’ve learned is that even if the components are said* to be zero balance from the factory, you should still confirm if not specifically confirmed from the factory.

I’ve always made it a habit to check flywheel balance on everything before the intstall..

In neutral it is still there. I did just read that if I do this test in gear with clutch disengaged (and if it still vibrates), then it rules out the clutch and transmission, leaving the flywheel and PP.ive

 

[70ChargerRT]

Even though you say its RPM related, 2 degrees as others have said is definitely enough to give you a non-engine vibration. Make sure your freeplay on your throwout bearing isnt too tight either. What clutch and Flywheel do they put in their TKX kits? I thought they went to McLeod. They use to use RAM years ago. I spun the gear on a RAM Billet flywheel and smoked their clutch all about the same time. They wouldn’t warranty the clutch but did the flywheel with only 1k miles. I went to a McLeod RST clutch and now questioned myself on using the RAM flywheel again but I had zero issues so far. The only thing I didn’t like about RAM was you just couldn’t pick up the phone and call a tech like you can McLeod. Takes a day or 2 for someone to call you back from RAM. Id send that clutch and flywheel back to SST. Whoever made them should stand behind them both. I hope you don’t continue to have my luck. 1st it was the Borgeson steering box that went out at 700 mikes. Spun gear on the flywheel at 1k miles. Dropped lifters at 2k miles. Im not going to mention the little stuff lol.

 

[1970DCH]

Even though you say its RPM related, 2 degrees as others have said is definitely enough to give you a non-engine vibration. Make sure your freeplay on your throwout bearing isnt too tight either. What clutch and Flywheel do they put in their TKX kits? I thought they went to McLeod. They use to use RAM years ago. I spun the gear on a RAM Billet flywheel and smoked their clutch all about the same time. They wouldn’t warranty the clutch but did the flywheel with only 1k miles. I went to a McLeod RST clutch and now questioned myself on using the RAM flywheel again but I had zero issues so far. The only thing I didn’t like about RAM was you just couldn’t pick up the phone and call a tech like you can McLeod. Takes a day or 2 for someone to call you back from RAM. Id send that clutch and flywheel back to SST. Whoever made them should stand behind them both. I hope you don’t continue to have my luck. 1st it was the Borgeson steering box that went out at 700 mikes. Spun gear on the flywheel at 1k miles. Dropped lifters at 2k miles. Im not going to mention the little stuff lol.

The kit comes with McLeod Super Street Pro level Flywheel, PP, and Clutch. I discovered via Mcloed’s website that they highly recommend balancing the Flywheel and PP as a unit…I am in disbelief as to why they don’t just to this off the bat if purchased together. The SST instructions don’t mention anything either; just to go ahead and install it. One could argue I should know to do this; fine, now I know. At this point I’m hoping it’s the Flywheel and PP, and not something worse like a bad transmission.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

The kit comes with McLeod Super Street Pro level Flywheel, PP, and Clutch. I discovered via Mcloed’s website that they highly recommend balancing the Flywheel and PP as a unit…I am in disbelief as to why they don’t just to this off the bat if purchased together. The SST instructions don’t mention anything either; just to go ahead and install it. One could argue I should know to do this; fine, now I know. At this point I’m hoping it’s the Flywheel and PP, and not something worse like a bad transmission.

Pull the trans/throwout bearing and fire the engine....

 

[1970DCH]

Pull the trans/throwout bearing and fire the engine....

Yup, I will conclude the issue by doing that with and without the flywheel/ PP.

 

[70ChargerRT]

The kit comes with McLeod Super Street Pro level Flywheel, PP, and Clutch. I discovered via Mcloed’s website that they highly recommend balancing the Flywheel and PP as a unit…I am in disbelief as to why they don’t just to this off the bat if purchased together. The SST instructions don’t mention anything either; just to go ahead and install it. One could argue I should know to do this; fine, now I know. At this point I’m hoping it’s the Flywheel and PP, and not something worse like a bad transmission.

Wow. That just blows my mind. Ive never heard of that. I know all RAM Billet Flywheels are balanced but why would you balance as a Unit. maybe I did the right thing as I have no issues with my T 56 set up

 

[1970DCH]

Wow. That just blows my mind. Ive never heard of that. I know all RAM Billet Flywheels are balanced but why would you balance as a Unit. maybe I did the right thing as I have no issues with my T 56 set up

It looks like common practice to balance the flywheel and PP as a unit, even with a zero balanced part. The other issue I had was the pressure plate fingers were not all even; I called McLeod and they said as long as they are all within 5 thousandths of an inch of each other in height, then I was good to go. Now that I’m thinking about it, why wound the fingers be different height?? Who knows…