Story:
-Buy '02 Neon with bad clutch (193k miles)
-Replace clutch set with new parts
-Find out that transmission grinds going into 1st & 2nd
-Install new slave & master cyl hoping to cure problem (does not)
-Pull transmission from '03 neon at junkyard (note: unknown mileage; new transmission looks slightly different than old (PN on label different, too), but all external mounting points appear to be the same)
-Install transmission into '02 (note: install goes just fine, but slave is a PITA to install; new axle seals, rear main seal, trans fluid)
-Try to drive car, does not grind (yay) and find out the clutch slips (boo)

It is obvious to me that the slave is pushing on the fork when it shouldn't, but why? I used the slave mount/spacer/bracket from my '02. By checking part numbers (Autozone, Rockauto, etc) the transmission, slave, master, clutch, axles are all the same '02-'03. Is that stupid little slave mounting bracket different? The clutch was fine with the old trans.

 

The new slave push rod was waaay too long. Put in the old one and it works fine. FYI the new slave/master was a RhinoPac/World Car PN PS0519.