
GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 287
DRIVE TRAIN
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
UNDERSTANDING THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Because of the way an internal combus tion engine breathes, it can produce
torque (or twisting force) only withi n a narrow speed range. Most overhead
valve pushrod engines must turn at about 2500 rpm to produce their peak
torque. Often by 4500 rpm, they are prod ucing so little torque that continued
increases in engine speed produce no power increases.
The torque peak on overhead camshaft engines is, generally, much higher, but
much narrower.
The manual transmission and clutch are employed to vary the relationship
between engine RPM and the speed of the w heels so that adequate power can
be produced under all circumst ances. The clutch allows engine torque to be
applied to the transmission input shaft gradually, due to mechanical slippage.
The vehicle can, consequently, be star ted smoothly from a full stop.
The transmission changes the ratio between the rotating speeds of the engine
and the wheels by the use of gears. 4-speed or 5-speed transmissions are most
common. The lower gears al low full engine power to be applied to the rear
wheels during acceleration at low speeds.
The clutch driveplate is a thin disc, the center of which is splined to the
transmission input shaft. Both sides of the disc are covered with a layer of
material which is similar to brake li ning and which is capable of allowing
slippage without roughness or excessive noise.
The clutch cover is bolted to the engine flywheel and incorporates a diaphragm
spring which provides the pressure to engage the clutch. The cover also houses
the pressure plate. When the clutch pe dal is released, the driven disc is
sandwiched between the pressu re plate and the smooth surface of the flywheel,
thus forcing the disc to turn at th e same speed as the engine crankshaft.
The transmission contains a mainshaft which passes all the way through the
transmission, from the clutch to the dr iveshaft. This shaft is separated at one
point, so that front and rear portions can turn at different speeds.
Power is transmitted by a countershaft in the lower gears and reverse. The
gears of the countershaft mesh with gear s on the mainshaft, allowing power to
be carried from one to the other. Countershaft gears are often integral with that
shaft, while several of the mainshaft gea rs can either rotate independently of
the shaft or be locked to it. Shifting from one gear to the next causes one of the
gears to be freed from rotating with the shaft and locks another to it. Gears are
locked and unlocked by internal dog clutc hes which slide between the center of
the gear and the shaft. The forward gears us ually employ synchronizers; friction

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 288
members which smoothly bring gear and
shaft to the same speed before the
toothed dog clutches are engaged.
ADJUSTMENT
LINKAGE
4-SPEED TRANSMISSION
All terms used in the following procedure match those which are used in the
accompanying illustration. No linkage adjustment is possible on the 5-speed
transmissions.
1. Disconnect the negative batte ry cable at the battery.
2. Place the shift control lever (F) in Neutral.
3. Raise the vehicle and support it safely with jackstands.
4. Remove the swivel retainers (P) from the levers (E, H, and J).
5. Remove the swivels (S) from the shifter assembly (G), and loosen the
swivel locknuts (R and T).
Fig. 1: 4-speed shift linkage adjustments

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 289
6. Make sure that levers L, M, and N
are in their Neutral positions (center
detents).
7. Align the holes of levers E, H, and J with the notch in the shifter
assembly (G). Insert an alignment gauge (J-33195) to hold the levers in
this position.
8. Insert swivel S into lever E and insta ll washer Q. Secure with retainer P.
9. Apply rearward pressure (Z) to leve r N. Tighten locknuts R and T (at the
same time) against swivel S to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm).
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for rod D and levers J and M.
11. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for rod K and levers H and L.
12. Remove the alignment gauge, lower t he vehicle, and check the operation
of the shifting mechanism.
13. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
CLUTCH SWITCH
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the sound insulator on 1988- 89 vehicles or the console trim
plate on 1990-92 vehicles.
Fig. 1: Exploded view of the clutch swit ch mounting - on most models, the clutch
switch adjusts automatically
3. Unplug the clutch switch connector.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 296
Fig. 1: Free-play adjustment
4. Loosen the locknut and adjust the length of the rod so that the swivel or
rod can slip freely into the gauge hole in the lever. Increase the length of
the rod until all free-play is removed.
5. Remove the rod or swivel from the gauge hole and insert it in the other
(original) hole on the lever. Install the retainer and tighten the loc\
knut.
6. Install the return spring and che ck freeplay measurement at the pedal
pad.
CLUTCH PEDAL
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Disconnect the clutch return spring.
3. Remove the hush panel under the dash.
4. If equipped, remove the cruise control switch at the pedal.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 302
7. To install, reverse the removal
procedures. Torque the master cylinder-
to-cowl brace nuts to 10-15 ft. lbs. (14-20 Nm). Fill master cylinder with
new hydraulic fluid conforming to DO T 3 specifications. Bleed and check
the hydraulic clutch system for leaks.
OVERHAUL 1. Remove the filler cap and drain fl uid from the master cylinder.
2. Remove the reservoir and seal from the master cylinder. Pull back the
dust cover and remove the snapring.
3. Remove the push rod assembly. Usi ng a block of wood, tap the master
cylinder on it to eject the plunger a ssembly from the cylinder bore.
4. Remove the seal (carefully) from the front of the plunger assembly,
ensuring no damage occurs to the plunger surfaces.
5. From the rear of t he plunger assembly, remove the spring, the support,
the seal and the shim.
6. Using clean brake fluid, clean all of the parts.
7. Inspect the cylinder bore and t he plunger for ridges, pitting and/or
scratches, the dust cover for wear and cracking; replace the parts if any
of the conditions exist.
To assemble: 8. Use new seals, lubric ate all of the parts in clean brake fluid, fit the
plunger seal to the plunger and reve rse the disassembly procedures.
9. Insert the plunger assembly, va lve end leading into the cylinder bore
(easing the entrance of the plunger seal).
10. Position the push rod assembly into the cylinder bore, then install a new
snapring to retain the push rod. Install dust cover onto the master
cylinder. Lubricate the inside of t he dust cover with Girling® Rubber
Grease or equivalent.
Be careful not to use any lubricant that will deteriorate rubber dust covers or
seals.
SLAVE CYLINDER
On vehicles equipped with a hydraulic clutch release mechanism, the slave
cylinder is located on the left side of the bellhousing and controls the clutch
release fork operation.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the front of the vehicle on jackstands.
3. Disconnect the hydraulic line from clutch master cylinder. Remove the
line-to-chassis screw and the c lip from the chassis.
Be sure to plug the line opening to k eep dirt and moisture out of the system.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 303
4. Remove the slave cyli
nder-to-bellhousing nuts.
5. Remove the push rod and the slav e cylinder from the vehicle, then
overhaul it (if necessary).
6. To install, reverse the removal pr ocedures. Lubricate leading end of the
slave cylinder with Girli ng® Rubber Lube or equiva lent. Torque the slave
cylinder-to-bellhousing nuts to 10-15 ft. lbs. (14-20 Nm). Fill the master
cylinder with new brake fluid conformi ng to DOT 3 specifications. Bleed
the hydraulic system.
OVERHAUL 1. Remove the shield, the pushrod and the dust cover from the slave cylinder, then inspect the cover for damage or deterioration.
2. Remove the snapring form t he end of the cylinder bore.
3. Using a block of wood, tap the slave cylinder on it to eject the plunger,
then remove the seal and the spring.
4. Using clean brake fluid, clean all of the parts.
5. Inspect the cylinder bore and the plunger for ridges, pitting and/or
scratches, the dust cover for wear and cracking; replace the parts if any
of the conditions exist.
To assemble: 6. Use new seals and lubricat e all of the parts in clean brake fluid. Install
the spring, the plunger seal and the plunger into the cylinder bore, then
install anew snapring.
7. Lubricate the inside of the dust co ver with Girling® Rubber Grease or
equivalent, then install it into the slave cylinder.
Be careful not to use any lubricant that will deteriorate rubber dust covers or
seals.
BLEEDING THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH
Bleeding air from the hydrau lic clutch system is necessary whenever any part of
the system has been disconnect ed or the fluid level (in the reservoir) has been
allowed to fall so low that air has been drawn into the master cylinder.
1. Fill master cylinder reservoir wit h new brake fluid conforming to DOT 3
specifications.
2. Raise and safely support the front of the vehicle on jackstands.
3. Remove the slave cylinder attaching bolts.
4. Hold slave cylinder at approximatel y 45 degrees with the bleeder at
highest point. Fully depress clutch pedal and open the bleeder screw.
5. Close the bleeder screw and release clutch pedal.
6. Repeat the procedure until all of t he air is evacuated from the system.
Check and refill master cylinder reserv oir as required to prevent air from
being drawn through the master cylinder.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 312
4. Rotate the shift lever clockwis
e to the park detent and then back to
neutral.
5. Tighten cable attachment to 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm).
The lever must be held out of P when tightening the nut.
SHIFT LINKAGE 1. Place the manual shaft of the transmission in N. Place the console shift
lever in N.
2. Install the cable in the slot of the shift lever. Adjust the cable so that the
pin has free movement.
3. Install and tighten t he nut to the pin.
THROTTLE VALVE CABLE 1. After installation of the cable to the transmission, engine bracket, and the
cable actuating lever, check to assure that the cable slider is in the zero
or fully re-adjusted position.
2. If cable slider is not in zero or fully re-adjusted, depress and hold the
metal re-adjust tab. Move the sli der back through the fitting in the
direction away from the cable actuat ing lever until the slider stops against
the fitting. Release the metal re-adjust tab.
Fig. 3: TV cable and linkage

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 315
7. Install the console tr
im to the console.
PARK LOCK CABLE
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1982-83 MODELS 1. Remove the console and steering column covers. Remove cable retaining screw from the steering colu mn slider and disconnect the cable.
2. At the shifter bracket, pull out t he lock button on the cable housing and
remove the yoke.
Fig. 1: Park/lock cable adjustment - 1982-83 models
3. Disconnect the cable from the shifter.
To install: 4. Place the shifter lever in P. Rotate the steering column shift bowl to the P
position and lock the column.
5. Connect the cable to the shifter.
6. Install the yoke and push in t he lock button on the cable bracket.
7. Connect the cable and install cabl e retaining screw to the steering
column slider.
8. Install the console and steering column covers.