Well, we found a used 1958 235 with a 3 speed standard from another truck, and we installed it in our 1956 3200 (which had the same combination originally). The "new" engine fired right up and ran well. We adjusted the linkages so that it shifts smoothly through the column shifter's "H" pattern, and we adjusted the clutch pedal to the factory specs (3/4" to 1" of freeplay). Here's whats happening now. With the clutch pedal depressed fully, if we try moving the shifter through the gears, we immediately get a really loud grinding sound (we were testing it without the driveshaft at this point). We shut it off and I crawled underneath to conduct further tests. When the shifter is in the neutral position, I can easily spin the rear splines by hand and it sounds very smooth. The same goes when my son fully depresses the clutch pedal (with the shifter still in the neutral position). If he keeps the clutch pedal fully depressed and puts it into any of the gears, I cannot budge the rear splines. Am I doing something basically wrong here? As long as the pedal is fully depressed, should'nt it turn easily regardless of where the shifter is set? (I'm not a mechanic, and this is our first project of this type, so any advice on what to try next would be appreciated!)
Thanks!
Stephan
