Trouble with clutch and transmission

[Cesar Diaz]

Hey truck enthusiasts,

I jack up my 1972 C10 took all the clutch, brake, E brake mechanism, steering column and prepped it for paint and reinstall along with the shift lever, I have 4 on the floor. Got everything back together installed shift lever and decided to start the truck. It’s still on jack stands.

I put it in neutral fired it up and I notice it sounded rough, then I realized the drive axle was spinning. I tried pushing in the clutch and shifted into gear no prob then back to neutral and drive axle is still spinning.

Not sure what’s going on. A few weeks ago I was traveling and I had someone adjust the clutch rod under the truck because sometimes when I go to shift into (granny gear or first it grinds a bit ) could that be the problem. I’m confused, it was fine before I disconnected the shift lever.

Clutch is only 1 year old and it was doing the grinding into granny or first since I had it done. Only does it sometimes. Shop that did the clutch sucked they didn’t even notice the ball stud on the engine side was broken. They said they adjusted what they could I fixed all of that so no more issues there.

Any advice would Be welcome.

[gmc684x4]

Have you replaced the clutch fork ball ?

Have you adjusted the free play in the clutch linkage ?

Pull the inspection cover off look at the pressure plate fingers to too if there bent

[Cesar Diaz]

Everything was working perfectly fine until I pull off the heat shift lever to repaint it.

[Cesar Diaz]

Also I removed the clutch rod to install a new rubber boot but I literally touched nothing else in regards to the clutch.

[kwmech]

Trans is not in neutral, pull the shifter out again and look inside to line up the shift rods, then reinstall the shifter

[Cesar Diaz]

Not sure what that would look like What am I looking for?

[RichardJ]

1st gear isn't synchronized, Of course it is going to grind.

Truck is in the air and the axle spins with engine running and in neutral, of course it will.

Pull on the E-brake. Axle will stop spinning, engine will keep running and clutch will do what it is supposed to do.

[Cesar Diaz]

Ok so this is normal I don’t know squat about transmissions and clutches. How do I fix the grinding into 1st? Do I rebuild the transmission? There’s a lot of gurgling coming from the transmission and noise. I think it may be low on fluid. When I looked down into the tranny with my flashlight I could see very little fluid.

I’m going to drain it tomorrow and add new fluid.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

You cannot stop the grinding in granny gear, There is no synchronizer in that model trans. You can double clutch to shift into 1st. at a slow speed.
Try what Richard said about the emergency brake or hold the brakes on with the pedal.
If it does not kill the engine when you let the clutch in neutral out you are ok.
The first thing you should do when you get one of these trucks is check &/or replace all the fluids.
George

[RichardJ]

>> How do I fix the grinding into 1st? <<

When is it grinding? When you're down shifting ? I'll try again.

>>1st gear isn't synchronized, << YOU have to match the engine speed to the vehicle speed. Often referred to as double clutching.

Unless you're hauling a load, use 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, only, and the truck will do just fine.

Fill hole is on side of trans, driver side, 3 - 4" above bottom. Fill till oil runs back out.

[Cesar Diaz]

Thank you everyone, we have changed all the fluids, every hose, spark plugs cables AC ducting, alternator ps pump steering gear, radiator rebuild, street demon carb, vacuum lines gas tank, Front wile pod brakes, new clutch, upgraded rear brakes, axle seals, differential seal and fluid, u joints center support bearing 2 times, shocks, wiring trim new upholstery , lots of rewiring, steering wheel, carpet, sport mirrors, Fixed all gauges, temp sensor, a/c system removed intake manifold and adjusted all the lifters, and much much more, it’s at about 90% mechanically fit, It’s been a 3 year project. Now on to body work and paint. Def learning process.

[Cesar Diaz]

Thanks will fill it tomorrow, I know fluid was added when clutch was done but it needs more

[LockDoc]

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Sounds like you are gaining on it..... Good job. I only use the granny low when I am pulling a heavy load. Once I get it moving I immediately shift it into 2nd gear. From then on it is smooth sailing.

Let us know how you get along with your project.

LockDoc

[RichardJ]

>>When I looked down into the tranny with my flashlight I could see very little fluid<<
>> I know fluid was added when clutch was done but it needs more <<

Are you sure?

Pull the plug out of the side. If oil runs out, it's good to go. Put the plug back in.

Put your pinky finger in the hole. If you touch oil on the bottom of your finger, it's good.
If you do have to add oil, you pump it into that hole until it runs out. That's the level. You can't see that from the shifter hole.
If the truck is still on jack stands, 1st gear is going to grind. Put the truck on the ground and drive it. You can't fix what isn't broken.

[Cesar Diaz]

Thank you very much for all the help

[hjewell2]

Originally Posted by richardj

1st gear isn't synchronized, of course it is going to grind.

Truck is in the air and the axle spins with engine running and in neutral, of course it will.

Pull on the e-brake. Axle will stop spinning, engine will keep running and clutch will do what it is supposed to do.

bingo