The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Doesn't look right

1946 Chevy 261 with a 4 speed and a PTO mostly all original. Why does this not look right? I don't think the clutch spring should be like that, but don't know if I am missing a bracket. I still have to connect the brake spring to the bracket on the motor pan.

Hog Wild - Below is a screenshot from Bolter John "UtahYork" DITY Gallery thread for his '46 that shows his clutch release set up. Also included is a screenshot from the 1941 Truck Shop manual showing the arm and spring relation.

It look like you have a later clutch release arm that is missing the extended tab at the tip of the arm with the needed return spring anchor hole for retaining the spring on the arm. You could probably fabricate a small steel plate to get sandwiched between the adjusting and lock nuts on the pedal to arm piece to extend out to the side and hook the rear of the spring to.

Your return spring also looks too long. The Chevy Master Parts Book indicates the spring is GM# 368244 and should be 3-5/16" long and have 26 coils (see screenshot below from another thread).

Hope this might help.

Here was my final setup and I believe this is the factory setup - I hope. Using the same spring for both brake and clutch pedal returns. I'm with Dan - maybe you can fabricate a tab to hold the spring.

You can still find NOS GM# 368244 return springs for sale on line, as well as reproductions from many of our regular vendors like the Filing Station for a better price.

Below is a pic of the NOS spring from the ebay seller showing design and length.

Here's a couple of "clutch return spring tabs" pictures I found on line that might get the ideas rolling for helping fix your return spring anchor problem in line with my suggested solution above.

Thank you Gdads51 and UtahYork I think i found it in a bag of stuff. Lol. I have it on the lift now and going to make the swap.

Great! Please post a pic after the swap. When I was working on mine, I had thought about what I'd do if the end of the clutch fork broke off. Maybe having a small spring tab in the tool bag might come in handy one day.

Glad to hear you found your goodies!

The tab in your picture looked familiar and I believe it's for the starter return spring?