Lovely Grinding Noises

[JedIEG]

I recently restored my 74 'Cuda and have swapped just about everything. It went from a 318 with a 904 behind it to a 360 with an 833 from Passon Performance with that came with everything for the swap. It all works pretty well, but there is a lovely grinding sound that comes from under my tunnel hump and forward. Its not a I-cant-shift-competently grind; it sounds sort of like the grinding that a snowplow makes going down the road. I dont think that it should sound like that?

My best guess is it has something to do with the clutch. I shifted into third (when the grinding seems to be worse) and pushed the clutch in and no more grinding. I am guessing that the transmission is still spinning then?

My questions:
What do you think it could be?
Is my hypothesis credible and the clutch is the problem?
Is the transmission still spinning when the car is in gear with the clutch pushed in?

[moparleo]

If the grinding stops when you push in the clutch pedal, it is most likely the clutch release/ throw out bearing.
How many miles have you driven since the swap ?
Has it made this noise since newly replaced ?
Did you install a pilot bearing into the rear of the crankshaft ?

[JedIEG]

Well there is probably only 500 or so miles on everything and it has made noise from day one. It was sort of a back burner problem, just some noise I would like rid of. The pilot bearing should be in there. I installed everything that came with the kit from Passon's and it was for the auto to manual. Its an annoyance an makes it hard to hear the person next to you or enjoy the exhaust note. Im also worried that Im grinding up something important.

[Chryco Psycho]

I disagree , more likely a problem in the trans , the release brg is under load when the pedal is pushed & just floats not turning when the clutch is engaged , the trans is not turning if the clutch pedal is pushed & the car is sitting still , the trans is turning if the car is moving .

[VeteranCosmicRocker]

I saw the topic " lovely grinding noises" and mis-interpreted it ... I thought it was about something else.........................

[moparleo]

The input shaft is not turning with the clutch pedal depressed. " the pilot bearing should be there?" What does that mean? If it had an a/t before, there is no pilot bearing installed unless you put one in. This supports the input shaft and keeps the shaft aligned with the crankshaft. No pilot bearing will eventually cause the input shaft bearing to fail. This will in turn cause more internal problems with the trans.

[Ray]

Agree with Leo on the pilot bushings in so far as if you didn't install one it's probably not there.. That being said, it sounds like the throw out bearing may be dry. Have you checked the oil level in the trans?