NOVA REVING HIGHER

[BJCHEV396]

I have a '70 L78 Nova,4 speed with a 3:55 12 bolt.Last few times I've had the car out it's reving higher.At 60 MPH it used to rev around 3200.Now it revs around 4 grand at 42 MPH in 4th.I'm thinking clutch slip.But there is no clutch smell.It engages well on first gear take off.Let the clutch out in 4th gear and the car jumped ahead.Figured if there was clutch slip that it would just stay still and rev.Any help would be appreciated.Thanks.Bill.

[ssl78]

maybe the tach is not reading right

[BJCHEV396]

The tach's O.K.Feels like it wants to be shifted into a higher gear.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Unless the tach is wrong...it sounds like a driveline issue. I would hook up another tach and confirm...but, most folks can tell by the sound if an engine is revving too high...pull the inspection cover and give it a good "sniff"...I would certainly not drive it too much until the problem is diagnosed.

wilma

ps...have you ever replaced the clutch..?

[BJCHEV396]

I've had the car 10 years.Never replaced the clutch.Has never been abused or driven hard.Just for shows and cruise nites.If it was the clutch wouldn't there be warning signs?Thanks.Bill.

[TDW]

Do you have enough "free play" at the pedal? There should be an inch and a half of play before you feel the clutch start to disengage. If there isn't enough free play, it will let the clutch slip ever so slightly.

[BJCHEV396]

There's about 1''to 1.5'' of free play.Could it be a tranny issue?

[BJCHEV396]

When you mash the gas pedal in 4th gear the revs go up faster than the speed.

[L89DRMR]

Just reading the statement of how the problem is noticeable when you floor the gas pedal in fourth gear indicates a failing clutch. I am confident this is the situation.

Dave

[x Baldwin Motion]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BJCHEV396</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've had the car 10 years.Never replaced the clutch.Has never been abused or driven hard.Just for shows and cruise nites.If it was the clutch wouldn't there be warning signs?Thanks.Bill. </div></div>


your symptoms sound like a reasonable warning sign for 10+ year old clutch.
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Plowman]

Start from standing still in 4th gear hard,if the clutch is weak this should tell you if the clutch is slipping alot. Do check the free play,should be a inch.

[BJCHEV396]

I did research into the 4 large binders of info that came with the car.According to the records and bills the clutch was last replaced in March,1984.So I'm thinking clutch disc,pressure plate,release bearing and pilot bushing.Resurface flywheel.And check clutch shaft and shifter bushings.