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Mod | | Forums66 Topics126,780 Posts1,039,291 Members48,100 | Most Online2,175 Jul 21st, 2025 | | | Joined: Apr 2022 Posts: 38 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2022 Posts: 38 | Hi guys, got the transmission in and all associated work complete. Fired her up and she started perfectly.
I was letting the truck idle a while and noticed a slight very subtle consistent tick coming from the clutch basket area seemingly. When I I so much as rest my foot on the clutch pedal with the weight of my foot it goes away.
One of the final steps before turning the truck on I backed the clutch adjustment off entirely then snugged it up so there was no play in the pedal but also no force on the pressure plate.
Any ideas what I’ve got going on? Plan to tighten the adjustment the weight of my foot so it goes away but not sure if it’s something of concern.
1955 Chevrolet 3800 2nd Series
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,392 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,392 | Rust,
Is this about the SM420 in your 1955 3800 1 Ton??? It helps folks know what truck you are asking questions about to offer the best answers to your questions.
I had to look at some of your previous posts just to find that tidbit of info. Also, is it a 1st Series or 2nd Series 1955???
Whichever "Series" it is, the clutch pedal is supposed to have between 3/4" - 1" of free travel before it starts engaging the throwout bearing to the pressure plate. Your description sounds like you have it adjusted with "0" free travel. Sounds like your adjustment has the throwout bearing maintaining constant (or sporadic) contact with the pressure plate. Could account for the "ticking"???
There could be other possible causes, but I would correct the pedal free travel before moving on to check other possibilities.
Dan
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | Joined: Apr 2022 Posts: 38 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2022 Posts: 38 | Yes sorry about that I forget that it is not included below our name tags.
1955 3800 2nd series
That makes sense I’ll have to take more out of the pedal and see if it clears up, did t realize it recommends that much free play .
Last edited by Rust; 09/14/2023 3:16 AM.
1955 Chevrolet 3800 2nd Series
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,392 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,392 | No problem.  Once you readjust your free travel, come back and let us know if it fixed the problem or if still there so folks can offer up other thoughts/solutions. Dan  PS - You can add a "Signature Line" to your profile to include the info about your truck in every post you make, that way you don't have to constantly remember to type it in every post. It just automatically gets added for you. 
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | Joined: Apr 2022 Posts: 38 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2022 Posts: 38 | So I backed the nut off and I think I created the free play. It’s not as loose as I anticipated but it seems to me that there is movement in the pedal before you are pushing against the pressure plate.
The noise quited to the point where I have to lean in close to the tunnel to hear it but it’s still definitely there and still goes away when I press the clutch pedal.
It is definitely a rotational sound. I am debating just driving a bit and see if it worsens or goes away.
1955 Chevrolet 3800 2nd Series
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,392 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,392 | When adjusted correctly, you should have between 3/4 and 1" of pedal travel before you feel it starting to push the throwout bearing against the pressure plate finger/arms. The pedal will still have a slight spring to it as the return spring should be forcing it back from the depressed position, but easily pushed with hand pressure before you feel resistance.
It sounds like there still may not be enough gap between the throwout bearing and pressure plate???
Dan
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | The noise is a little chatter between to brg. collar & clutch fork. It will never hurt anything. Some to brgs have a hump or a pin on the collar to keep the brg from turning on the trans. front retainer. This probably to prevent this noise.
George They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | Joined: Apr 2022 Posts: 38 'Bolter | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2022 Posts: 38 | Happy to report it seems to have cleared up with a drive. Transmission feels great, very happy
1955 Chevrolet 3800 2nd Series
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,392 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,392 | Rust, Happy to here things worked out.  Maybe now that you have taken it for a drive, you could snap and post some pics??? A great place to do that along with how the drive went can be found in the Stovebolt driving report thread. Looking forward to seeing some pics of your truck.  Dan
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
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