So I was told that the thread i posted about my experience with a shop, which unfortunetaly is Brotherz, cant be opened. As ive stated in pms to most its unfortunate it happened to me and I was never expecting this. I can guarantee in all the pms ive never bashed them slandered their name and said to not go there. My experience is my experience.

On to something new, I would like to know how important is it to have the two dowel pins that go on the block to keep the trans/clutch lined up. Now keep in mind im not an expert maybe im not describing it right. I went to Tampa clutch to pick up my new kit and spoke to him, and he guaranteed that if those pins are missing the clutch will fail, but did say that if it was one from the flywheel it might be ok. Then the shop i got my new clutch installed at said it is necessary, and im thinking if mitsu made it part of hte plan then it must be. Sodo you guys think its an important part. Or its just a freak series of event and have nothing to do with one another. keep in mind the subframe bolts and other bolts are missing because they were never put back in.

 

I cant say that the dowels had anything to do with the clutch failure but the dowel pins are definitely needed.

 

They are there for a reason. I am pretty shure you need them. But then again I have never tried to take them out. Why would you even want to? Weight reduction lol!

I have work on alot of cars in my day and pulled alot of tranny's and I can never recall those pins never being there no matter what make or model the car is. I can tell your right now I have a 351 block on the engine stand, and I have 4 4.6L mustang blocks sitting here at my shop and they all have dowel pins on them. And I know for a fact 302's do also.

 

the only thing i think it would mess with is the starter. they have to be just right, if youve ever left out a starter alignment plate, youll know what im talking about.

 

they are needed. I have had 2 disks fail on me due to vibrations from lack of dowel pins. I had to take my bellhousing off my tranny and use a dial indicator to find out if mine was off alignment... I then realized I was missing a dowel pin and replaced it. I haven't had a problem since. I previously called southbend clutch and he recommended i do this. I also talked this over with bay city and they agreed with me. Sprung disks will fall apart from the vibrations of the clutch disk and the flywheel not spinning within sync.
this is my clutch disk after running it for 7500 miles with no dowel pins-

 

"Is your manual transmission getting harder to shift? Does it feel like it just doesn't grab like it used to? Or maybe it's starting to chatter or vibrate? A worn clutch may be the culprit here. Or it could be the result of something else, such as a transmission misalignment. One obvious sign that this is the problem would be rust residue on the disc and pressure plate.

Pinpoint the Problem
In the case of the Jeep driveline shown here, one of the two transmission dowel pins was missing, which allowed the transmission to tilt down on the passenger's side of the Jeep, causing the misalignment. The input shaft on the transmission was also heavily worn where it rides on the pilot bearing due to the misalignment.

Correcting the cause of the problem is simply a matter of making a new dowel pin for the transmission and installing it. Although this relatively simple fix is just one example of many possible problems that might need to be addressed, the procedure for servicing and re-assembly applies to clutches in general."
quoted from
Everything Auto: Clutch Play | Extreme How To, DIY - Do it Yourself, Home Improvement, Home Decorating

 

I definitely agree that the dowels are needed. I just cant say that they are the definite reason the clutch failed. There is no way to say that for sure.
I have disks with springs that have popped out just like the one you showed and I have always made sure the dowel pins were in.
Here is a disk of mine that had a issue even with the dowels in place.

 

well then the point really is that there were in my old block why werent they transfered to my new block. i was never notified. I also paid to have a service done. I didnt pay someone to think that they werent needed so therefore they wont be put in. that would have taken 15min at most to install.

 

I dont disagree with that. They should of been put in.

 

I, unfortunately had almost the same experience with them recently as well. Now that the cars back at the shop with a shredded timing belt, i think i will be calling today to verify/insist the dowel pins are installed.