Update: Follow up from Manseil at SBC, this was his response in an email following a previous one I sent with multiple videos and a write up of my symptoms and the time line of my issue.
"Ok, the video definitely helps me understand the noise issue.
The noise your hearing can really only be gear roll over caused by the clutch disc. It will make that with a dual disc but it really should not make any noise with a single disc. That can be fixed with a replacement disc and in this case I would send you everything.
On the shifting issue is where I'm lost. You had the same exact issue with the other clutches. I do not know what to say about that. I do honestly think that short throw shifter you have is not helping you. I put one of those in our truck a long time ago and it only made it worse. Sometimes you can get lucky and they work great. So for me it's up to you if you want to install another clutch or not.
I cannot make any promises if it will fix all of your issues though. I plan to give you a call in the morning on this.
I spent some time on the phone with standard trans and it seems they have done all they can do as well."
On the shifting noise that im hearing in the bell housing:
I have unnecessary engagement noise and vibrations i.e. rattling, clunking, squealing and shuddering coming from the bell housing.
He said that it was "un-natural sounding and that it sounds as if something is loose and not fastened down correctly."
I have received and inspected(for shipping damages) the new clutch kit and flywheel with its corresponding new hardware. I received a labor credit of 200.00. I will be able to send the clutch kit currently installed in my truck into SBC for inspection free of shipping charges. I will have to pull the transmission now for the 6th time on my dime within just over a year period too remove and install a clutch.
I still have no concrete answer as to why or a definitive solution to fix my issues. I have every detail possible documented.
Since both SBC and STG have corresponded about my issues. I'll start by trying to address my shifting issue and removing approx. half a quart of fluid, STG filled it to approx. 7.5 quarts. I had been previously running 7 quarts approx. without issue on the OEM clutch. If my shifting improves then I will take note of its different operating conditions before installing the OEM shifter to see if it changes anything additional(Isolation and observation).
This is only addressing my shifting issue. I still have two additional issues left which require removal of the transmission because
something is mechanically wrong in the bell housing that neither fluid or a shifter will fix.
Here are my problems:
- I have unnecessary engagement noise and vibrations i.e. rattling, clunking, squealing and shuddering coming from the bell housing.
- I can not consistently down shift into 4th and sometimes 3rd gear.
- The clutch pedal is sticking through its travel and sometimes binding up.
When I plan to remove the transmission is currently unknown. I'm now working full time after graduating in December. I don't have a second vehicle. Manseil is aware of this and has not given me a time limit to send the current clutch in.