I have a '77 Datsun KC 5-speed. I replaced the clutch, bearing and pilot bushing very recently, but am concerned about the noise it makes when in neutral and the clutch pedal is up.
After putting in the correctly-lubricated new clutch, when I pushed the clutch all the way to the floor you could hear the bearing up against the fingers of the clutch plate (I think, or I really hope it wasn't the fingers being pushed against the springs on the clutch disc), so I adjusted it out as far as it could go, then just today I shortened the pushrod of the slave cylinder so there was a little play in the fork (previous teenage owners were suspect, seemed to in slap whatever they had access to on so it would run, including a plastic bottle "gastank" under the hood, for example, so an incorrect slave cylinder is not out of the question). I was hoping the noise was related (maybe not disengaging completely?) but it's still there. Here's as best I can describe it:
When in neutral, I can push the pedal to the floor and shift easily throught the gears (less finger noise with a shortened pushrod but still there somewhat). When I let the pedal up I can hear more whirring/whooshing-like noise along with a drop in the engine idling speed, like the engine is under some kind of stress or pulling on something.
Is there a break-in period for a new clutch and bearing? Will this noise and draw on the engine go away with time? What is pulling on the engine?! There is less than a mile on the new clutch but lots of idling time while checking other engine/running items (not on the road yet except for a few unregistered joyrides through the neighborhood, and am I wrong or have we ALL done that?!). Did Autozone sell me the wrong pressure plate/bearing combo (have read lots of threads on bearing collar height, matching pressure plate to bearings, etc.)?
Just wondering if anyone has had the same issues. Thanks for your time and thoughts!