The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 3 Speed OD and Clutch Problem

I just dropped a rebuilt 265 in my 56 3100, pulling out an early 60's 283 engine. Put in a new clutch kit and a used 3 speed OD tranny that was supposed to be good. I got the engine fired up this week and its sounding pretty good (has a little vibration that has we wondering though). The main issue is with the clutch depressed I can't shift into any gear it grinds like the shaft is spinning.With the truck off and clutch depressed it does released from the flywheel and can be wiggled around. So any ideas? Is the trans shaft just stuck/tight in the new pilot bearing? If I block the wheels and put in gear with the clutch depressed and try to start will I break anything?

The clutch disc could be in backwards. Also did the trans go in easily, if not the pilot bushing could be causing a bind. Remove the bellhousing pan and have someone push in the clutch and see if you can tell what is going on. I think it needs to come out and check everything over. Remove the side cover from the trans and see if there is some obvious problem there.
Fred

I followed the manual with pictures for the clutch install so am sure the clutch is in correctly. I did use the plastic alignement tool when installing the clutch/pressure plate but the transmission install was tight. Did that with the motor out, and had to use the bell housing bolts to pull the two together. The tranny shifts fine with the linkage disconnected and I had the cover off and all appears fine. I have the dust cover off the flywheel and everything looks good.If the pilot bearing is tight, what are my options.

I have found some of them to be undersize and it drives you crazy. But if it is the problem, everything still has to come out. You could probably leave the bushing in place and dress it up with a dremmel tool or sand paper, they usually don't need much. Also check the tip of the clutch gear for a burr. If everything is lined up correctly the trans should slide right in. I have used bolts to line everything up but you shouldn't have to draw it in with the bolts.
Fred

Well success! I loosened the 4 tranny bolts a bit so that it would have some play. Had my wife get in the cab put in 1st gear and hold the clutch in. that way the engine was disconnected from tranny. Gave the truck a push and rolled it about two foot to get the spindle to turn in the pilot bearing.Snugged up the 4 bolts and started her up and it will now shift just fine to all gears and the clutch works great too. The pilot bearing must have just been in a little bind. Thanks for your input! I still have a little vibration in the motor to think about. Any other ideas on that issue?

Did you replace the harmonic balancer when you put everything back together. I had some vibration after my rebuild, and decided to change out the balancer and evrything is fine now. Good Luck,
Tramp

Hey thanks for the suggestion, a local mechanic suggested that as well. The rebuilt motor had one (used), so I pulled it off and put on the one from the 283, no real difference. Even with the Alt and water pump disconnected. So back to the drawing board. My local parts shop says probably flywheel next, or motor mounts. I put in all new motor mounts but not sure on the front mounts on the V8 how tight they should be? I have the rubber compressed some, but don't know if I should crank them down until I run out of threads on the bolts. Any one have a suggestion or torque specs?

Well I tightened the front mount nuts down till they stopped and still had the vibration. I dropped the tranny because it has a bad 3rd gear syncronizer, and then pulled the new clutch and pressure plate. The vibration went away. I reinstalled and turned the plate about 1/3 of a turn and tried again, same vibration. So my auto parts guys are going to reorder me a new set and see the pressure plate (from Korea) is just out of whack! I'll let you know in a few days if that was the problem.

After installing another new pressure plate & clutch the vibration has dissappeared so finally I think I'm set with that issue. Now just need to get my OD tranny hooked up and working!