Clutch Problems... HELP!!!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

merlin65 · 12-28-2007, 01:04 PM

I recently pulled my 230 inline out of my 65 to put in a 283 and this is where the problem begins. The 283 was out of a 67 truck I was told with a 3 speed on the tree like my truck. I was told the tranny with the 283 was starting to go bad so I seperated the 283 from it. The clutch and pressure plate on the 283 were like new and worked great when pulled. I pulled my 230 out and left the transmission in because mine worked fine. I started comparing the 65 inline 6 transmission to the 67 283 one. I noticed the release bearing was different so I swapped it. I also noticed the fork arms were different but the v8 release bearing seemed to fit on the 65 fork just fine, so I left it in . That is where I think I messed up. I threw in the 283, everything went fine. typical z bar headaches. I attached the clutch rods up and tried to put it in gear, problem starts. I cannot shift the gears, the clutch is engaged and it seems I cannot disengage it. I have adjusted everything to try to make the pressure plate push in enough to change gears, nothings worked. summary" I push the clutch in, cannot change gears, just grinds. Adusted every way but loose still the same. Heavy pedal with no breakover point ." and a summary of the parts. 1965 3 speed manual, 67 v8 release bearing, 67 283 and clutch assembly. Any help would be great. I figure the release bearing is wrong. I should have probably left the 6 cylinder one in. HELP!!!!!

rickf · 12-28-2007, 07:15 PM

I'm speaking up, not because I know a lot or have seen a lot of these, but only because none of the more knowledgable have yet replied, so I'll say what I know in case it's useful.

The "release bearing" you speak of, I think I know it as the "throw out bearing". I know of two basic types, "tall" and "short". My 64 230 w/ 3-speed used the "tall". I put in a 350 from a 72, so Iordered a clutch for a 72. It all fit fine, except it had the "short" throw out bearing. I got a tall throwout bearing, put it all together, it works fine.

I am guessing that although the bell housings have standard bolt patterns, and so are effectively interchangable, they are not all necessarily exactly the same in every detail. The clutch actuation fork and throwout bearing are part of the bell housing assembly, so parts used in that assembly should be "as original". I am guessing the difference you saw in the "release bearing" was mainly the height (aka the length, and not the diameter) and you probably should have stuck with what was there already.

I could go on about the rotational nature of the fork action and the importance of the initial (disengaged) position and its relationship to effective fore-aft movement of the throwout bearing, but you probably already get that so I'll stop here.

60-66 Nut · 12-29-2007, 04:24 AM

There are several possibilities, one of course being the wrong bearing like rickf said. The tall bearing was usually used with the flat fingered(flat diaphram) pressure plate while the short was used for the bent fingered(raised diaphram) pressure plate. Using the short in place of the tall will sometimes result in not having enough adjustment to release the clutch all the way. Using the tall in place of the short might not leave enough free play, so that even with the adjustment backed all the way off the throwout bearing is still pushing the pressure plate because it is all the way back against the transmission and cannot go back any further. You can usually see this by pulling the dust cover and looking up inside.

Another thing to check is be sure your bearing is not binding on the trans collar. I've seen this happen when there was no grease on the collar. Also, how long has that engine(the 283) been sitting up? It's possible that if it set up for a while, the clutch is stuck. If this was the case, pulling the truck in high gear with the engine off will usually break them loose.

Hope some of this helps, best of luck.

60-66 Nut

merlin65 · 12-29-2007, 12:32 PM

Thanks for the info. I guess I should have left the original throw out bearing in. It was a last minute decision kind of thing. It will be a week or so before I can pull the truck in my garage and check it all out. But if anyone else has anything to offer please drop in. Thanks again

12-28-2007, 01:04 PM	#1
merlin65 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: raleigh, nc Posts: 42	Clutch Problems... HELP!!!!! I recently pulled my 230 inline out of my 65 to put in a 283 and this is where the problem begins. The 283 was out of a 67 truck I was told with a 3 speed on the tree like my truck. I was told the tranny with the 283 was starting to go bad so I seperated the 283 from it. The clutch and pressure plate on the 283 were like new and worked great when pulled. I pulled my 230 out and left the transmission in because mine worked fine. I started comparing the 65 inline 6 transmission to the 67 283 one. I noticed the release bearing was different so I swapped it. I also noticed the fork arms were different but the v8 release bearing seemed to fit on the 65 fork just fine, so I left it in . That is where I think I messed up. I threw in the 283, everything went fine. typical z bar headaches. I attached the clutch rods up and tried to put it in gear, problem starts. I cannot shift the gears, the clutch is engaged and it seems I cannot disengage it. I have adjusted everything to try to make the pressure plate push in enough to change gears, nothings worked. summary" I push the clutch in, cannot change gears, just grinds. Adusted every way but loose still the same. Heavy pedal with no breakover point ." and a summary of the parts. 1965 3 speed manual, 67 v8 release bearing, 67 283 and clutch assembly. Any help would be great. I figure the release bearing is wrong. I should have probably left the 6 cylinder one in. HELP!!!!!

12-28-2007, 07:15 PM	#2
rickf Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR Posts: 318	Re: Clutch Problems... HELP!!!!! I'm speaking up, not because I know a lot or have seen a lot of these, but only because none of the more knowledgable have yet replied, so I'll say what I know in case it's useful. The "release bearing" you speak of, I think I know it as the "throw out bearing". I know of two basic types, "tall" and "short". My 64 230 w/ 3-speed used the "tall". I put in a 350 from a 72, so Iordered a clutch for a 72. It all fit fine, except it had the "short" throw out bearing. I got a tall throwout bearing, put it all together, it works fine. I am guessing that although the bell housings have standard bolt patterns, and so are effectively interchangable, they are not all necessarily exactly the same in every detail. The clutch actuation fork and throwout bearing are part of the bell housing assembly, so parts used in that assembly should be "as original". I am guessing the difference you saw in the "release bearing" was mainly the height (aka the length, and not the diameter) and you probably should have stuck with what was there already. I could go on about the rotational nature of the fork action and the importance of the initial (disengaged) position and its relationship to effective fore-aft movement of the throwout bearing, but you probably already get that so I'll stop here.

12-29-2007, 04:24 AM	#3
60-66 Nut Professional Beer Tester Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 453	Re: Clutch Problems... HELP!!!!! There are several possibilities, one of course being the wrong bearing like rickf said. The tall bearing was usually used with the flat fingered(flat diaphram) pressure plate while the short was used for the bent fingered(raised diaphram) pressure plate. Using the short in place of the tall will sometimes result in not having enough adjustment to release the clutch all the way. Using the tall in place of the short might not leave enough free play, so that even with the adjustment backed all the way off the throwout bearing is still pushing the pressure plate because it is all the way back against the transmission and cannot go back any further. You can usually see this by pulling the dust cover and looking up inside. Another thing to check is be sure your bearing is not binding on the trans collar. I've seen this happen when there was no grease on the collar. Also, how long has that engine(the 283) been sitting up? It's possible that if it set up for a while, the clutch is stuck. If this was the case, pulling the truck in high gear with the engine off will usually break them loose. Hope some of this helps, best of luck. 60-66 Nut __________________ 60 Ford F100 Custom Cab 61 Apache Short Fleetside 64 C10 Short Stepside 65 C80 409 V8 5spd(X-Firetruck) 83 GMC 350 Olds Diesel 85 GMC Short Bed 86 GMC Short Bed 90 GMC R3500 Crew Cab 92 GMC 1500

12-29-2007, 12:32 PM	#4
merlin65 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: raleigh, nc Posts: 42	Re: Clutch Problems... HELP!!!!! Thanks for the info. I guess I should have left the original throw out bearing in. It was a last minute decision kind of thing. It will be a week or so before I can pull the truck in my garage and check it all out. But if anyone else has anything to offer please drop in. Thanks again



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.