Release Bearing Issues

[gadirtracer]

Has anyone ever had to have the release bearing retainer machined down for clearance?
This is a hydraulic release bearing w/NO shims, Saginaw 3 speed, steel scatter shield, stock type clutch, & a Z-28 flywheel.
No mid plate/rear engine mounts between block/bell.
Have 3 transmissions, all measure the same.
Have 2 bell housings, measure the same.
Release bearing works and returns like it should and it was just used this week end as was trans. & bell in same car.
Engine, clutch set, & fly wheel are different, but have been ran before w/o issues.
With car in gear, can turn drive shaft by hand. Release bearing is too close to pressure plate.
This one has got me, installed many of these set ups and never had problems like this. Just add a shim or two before, never had to machine a trans snout before.

[keithbaker]

So your not using rear motor mounts? We had the same problem and had to put rear motor mount plates in just as spacers because the release bearing was pushing on pressure plate without shims.

[roybeckett13j]

Yup! Had two 3 speeds, one needed two shims between the trans am the release bearing, the other needed about 1/16th of an inch between the trans and the bell housing. Sold the one that needed the shims between the trans and the bell. Could have got it machined I guess. But to answer, yes its happened before, get your trans machined.