The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Won't go into gear

Long time, no see, guys -

I haven't started my '54 3104 for about six months. Parked in neutral. Stock 235. Factory four-speed tranny. Can't get it into gear.

I can shift into all gears with the engine off. But when I start the engine in neutral, I can't move the shift lever. The truck will move slightly as I try to force it into gear -- I suppose the synchros are trying to engage. It will grind if I force into gear too much. I put it into third (equivalent to second in 3-spd) and bumped the starter. The truck moved forward, so the gears are going into position.

I tried stomping the clutch a few times to possibly free up the clutch. No good. I can hear a "tick" when the clutch reaches the floor when I stomp it. I've never stomped it with the engine off before, so I don't know if that is normal.

Is the clutch disk stuck to the flywheel or pressure plate? If so, how do I free it up? Or, do I have some other malady?

Thanks for your help,

Lonnie

Hi Lonnie, long time no see.

Sorry to hear that you're having a clutch problem.
With that "tick" sound when the clutch reaches the floor.
Makes me think the pressure plate failed.
I once had the same thing happened to me,You can read about Here.
When my pressure plate failed it was working fine one day and the next day it wouldn't disengage.
There was No reason why it failed.

You can remove clutch housing inspecting pan and inspect to see if fork and throw out bearing are moving correctly.
Also you might be able to see if pressure is moving away from the clutch disc.

It could be a simple clutch pedal adjustment.

A successful update -

jorb - I got it unstuck. Hope that it's not a pressure plate going bad. I just replaced the clutch and pressure plate in my MG TF. The whole MG gearbox weighs 70 pounds and comes out through the cockpit. Easy-breazy. Not so easy with my truck.

Wayne (Wayne67Vert) - You and some other guys in the archives nailed it. I finally entered the correct search words to find some old posts.

I started the engine and ran it to operating temp as Wayne suggested in a couple of old posts. Then I killed the engine, put it into third gear (of four), pushed in the clutch, and bumped the starter. Bingo! All is right with the world. The clutch is unstuck.

Thanks to all of you ... present and old posts ... for your help,

> Wayne - I am prepping the truck for the Woodlawn Cemetery show in Gotha this Sunday, Nov 8. I know that it's a pretty long drive for Vern, but it's an American "feel good" Veteran's Day car show and tribute. Starts at 8:00AM, be there earlier to get a good location.

Lonnie