The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1960 GMC clutch linkage setup

My first post! ! I am starting work on a 1960 GMC 4x4 that my dad purchased a few weeks ago. It needs plenty of work. When we first got it the clutch pushrod was completly missing, making it undriveable. I put togther a rod so I can at least move it around in the driveway now. My problem is that the throwout bearing is constantly spinning while the truck is running. When I adjust my homemade linkage so that the bearing is not spinning, pushing the clutch pedal does nothing. Someone previously had cobbled together the rod from the pedal down to the rotation point under the truck. I would like to set it up the way that it was originally, but haven't been able to find any sites that show how the clutch pedal is connected to the rod or how it goes through the cab to that pivot point. If anyone has any photos of those areas they could post or send, I would certainly appreciate it! Thanks.

I believe a '60 would have originally been a hydraulic clutch. If it has had the hydraulic bellhousing changed out, you may be able to adapt the linkage and hardware from a '64 - '66 donor truck. I should have most of the parts here except for the pedal swing assemly.

Thanks for the reply Joe! I don't believe there is anything left from the hydraulic clutch. The truck has had the engine and transmission swapped out. From the numbers on the block, I found that it has a 1965 chevy II 283. I assume the transmission came from that car as well. Is the bracket that the swing assembly mounts to supposed to be bolted or welded to the frame? The bracket is welded on this truck but doesn't really have the look of a factory job. I'm not sure if any factory parts will work for this because of everything being out of place? You probably know better than I do. I am pretty new to this sort of stuff. Last night I started one of those webshots sights so people can see some photos. Here is the link, hopefully it works. You can see the cobbled together rod that goes through the floor.

Hodag\'s projects

Sounds like the first parts you get to buy are going to be clutch linkage assemblies. I would go to a junkyard and at least look at the setup, or look in a shop manual. My guess is that your homemade linkage does not have tuning range that the stock one did and because of this you are unable to get the setting you desire.

I just looked at your pics on webshots. First off, cool truck! I have a 61 2wd, love that year. Looks like you have a lot of work cut out for you, not a bad thing mine is that way too.

After looking at your pics it is pretty obvious that is not a stock assembly. It looks like one of those jobs that was meant to get the truck home and not much more. If I were you I would think seriously about replacing that assembly. I know it sounds daunting, but it really isn' too tough. I had to redo most of the linkage in my '61 a couple years back, due to rust and wear. I think that you will be happiest with a new setup, it will give you the desired adjustment capability as well as the feeling that comes with reliable parts.

I would find a donor truck, should be easy enough. First off take pictures and draw a few diagrams so you remember how it looks put together and then strip it off the old truck. Use your pictures, diagrams, and a shop manual to install the "new" parts in your truck.

Personally I would not feel safe with that clutch assembly. If it does not allow proper adjustment then you are most likely going to experience frequent problems along with short clutch life. An out of whack clutch can make a nice truck into a pain in the butt.

I hope that I have not discouraged you, this type of work is what old trucks are all about. Taking stuff apart is the best way to learn how it works.

Also, check out "LMC Truck" they offer a lot of good parts for these trucks. I have bought quite a few parts from them. Don't forget about your local NAPA though, I try to do as much business with my local guy as I can. It is a good practice that I picked up a while back. Their parts may cost a littl more but they typically have them in stock and you don't have to pay shipping.

Lastly, good luck and have fun with that old truck. You can check my 61 out through the link at the bottom of my signature on this post. Have fun!!!

Kyle

I would look up at the pedal swing assy. I'm thinking the PO tried to adapt the lever that operated the clutch master cylinder to operate the mechanical linkage giving it too short of a throw to operate the clutch. The '64 frame I have has the bracket riveted to the frame. I will post a couple picture links of the lower linkge parts tomorrow if I still have some dayight when I get off.

60 CHEVY pickups were definitely hydraulic clutch. If the trans is from the same time frame, you'll probably find it easiest to return to a hydraulic setup.

If you can't find the original components, I know that Novak sells hydraulic clutch conversion kits for most GM trannies -- www.novak-adapt.com

Brian

Thanks for the input. I looked in the LMC Truck catalog and found the same thing, 1960-1963 had the clutch hydraulics. I like the idea of having the hydraulics setup but think it is a little too pricy for what I need to do right now. I wonder why they switched to the mechanical setup for 1963-1966 chevy/gmc trucks. Are hydraulic clutches more prone to failure?

As far as NAPA, I used to think they had pretty good parts and all up until this last Christmas. I had my from rotors replaced last fall on my 94 chevy pickup. By the time Christmas rolled around (3000 miles later), the rotors were already badly warpped! I had to pay another $120 to have the rotors turned because NAPA wouldn't warranty them. Since then, I have a new attitude about NAPA and about just doing the work myself!

Kyle good luck on that truck! With the exception of paint, it looks like it is in pretty good condition.

Here's some pics of the lower linkage used '64 to '66:
1
2
3

To go back to the original hydraulic set up would also require changing to the bellhousing that have the fork and slave cylinder on the right side. Personally I prefer the mechanical style clutch.