Dealer Service Information Bulletin 68-I-81 – Incorrect Usage of Forward and/or Direct Clutch Driven Plates
Bulletin 68-I-81 — Pontiac Motor Division Dealer Service Information Bulletin, Section 7E, dated June 18, 1968. Attention: Service Manager.
Subject: Incorrect Usage of Forward and/or Direct Clutch Driven Plates.
Short answer: Forward clutch and direct clutch failures after Turbo Hydra-Matic overhaul have been traced to mixing up the flat steel clutch driven plates. The forward clutch plate (.0775″ thick, P/N 8623849) and the direct clutch plate (.0915″ thick, P/N 8625197) are different thicknesses and must not be interchanged. Early- and late-type plates within each part number are interchangeable for service.
Use the correct plates as follows:
- The forward clutch in all 1965–68 transmissions uses the .0775″ thick, flat steel clutch driven plate, Part Number 8623849 [Z] (Gp. No. 4.163). The early type has no additional identification; the late type has four teeth shortened (2 on each side) and two teeth omitted (1 on each side), and is further identified by a “V” notch on one tooth (see Fig. 1 in the scan below).
- The direct clutch in all 1967–68 transmissions uses the .0915″ thick, flat steel clutch driven plate, Part Number 8625197 [M] (Gp. No. 4.163). The early type is identified by two diametrically opposite short teeth; the late type is identified only by four teeth shortened (2 on each side) and two teeth omitted (1 on each side) (see Fig. 2 in the scan below).
In addition, the waved steel clutch driven plate (Part Number 8623851) has also been revised. Both early and late types are .0605″ thick and are identified by a “U” notch on one tooth; the late type additionally has four teeth shortened (2 on each side) and two teeth omitted (1 on each side) (see Fig. 3 in the scan below).
The revised (late-type) plates are interchangeable with their early-type counterparts for service.
Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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