The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Bell Housing Clutch Fork Boot

Does anyone have a source for replacement clutch fork boot. Seems the 55-59 chevy truck may not be reproduced. I have checked many catalog companies and local transmission sources as well. They are available for years in 60's up. Any suggestions?

depends on the engine/bellhouse, not just year - for the 235, a later one can be adapted, my original was [is] leather - for the V8, most later ones should fit right in

Bill

Lack of info. It is a 235 6 cylinder. Mine was leather also. So the later years works, is there any modification needed?

not sure how much cutting you'll have to do, but I have seen a couple 235's with rubber boots - measure the hole and see how close to that you can get, most likely there will be a bit of fitting, but ya gotta do what needs to be done eh? if you still have an original, you could even try making another of leather, I thought it looked pretty straight forward

Bill

The after-market vendors show this boot. I bought one of the rubber ones they have but it doesn't fit. What does the original look like?

The reproductions iv,e bought never fit.

I made one of those rubber ones fit. A little grinding on the bellhousing to make a lip for it secure against, then I cut a plate out of 1/8" aluminum plate, drilled 6 holes for 6-32 machine screws to retain it. Worked like a charm.

Thanks, i'll look at doing that. I may trim some up like red 58 recommended.

Member Oldbluetruck was wondering what the original clutch fork boot looks like.
Today I was doing some prep work in advance of a trans/clutch swap and pulled out my original leather boot. Hopefully the picture link will work OK.
I read where Bow Tie Bits offers an accurate replacement, although I have no 1st hand knowledge if this is true.
A little needle and thread work and I'm good for another 50 years I think. Sometimes you just can't beat natural materials!

Misc. Part Details

Like to see it, but...your shutterfly account must be set up
private, it wants us to log in to see your pictures.

dg

Try it again, I think I've fixed it.
I gotta get better at this picture thing.

Got it that time. I've seen those on a lot of engines, mostly
all oil and grease soaked and falling apart. I've also seem
a more engines that did not have them.
The parts books list no less than nine part numbers over the
years. Odd as it may seem, the boot is listed in the 30's
parts books, but then the group is missing during the Advance
Design years and shows up again in 1955 and later books.
There is another gap between 1957 and 1960 when they show up
again thru 1969 as 'black rubber'.

Here are more examples with more part numbers:
http://www.4speedconversions.com/clutch-fork-boots

I can't find anyone that is reproducing them.

dg

mbt,

Will this boot work? I used it on my '56 V8 bellhousing...6-cyl may be different...

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-72-Clutch-Fork-Boot/productinfo/90-525/#.Vgn0XflViko

Mike B

MikeB, I have an original one of those on my V8 bell housing. I also have a leather one I took off a 6 cyl.
I just had an idea....My old boot is dry and I'm going to take it to an upholstery shop and see if they can't make me a new one.

As long as you have the spring wire clip making a new leather boot will be easy. See if the local horse tack shop has any scrap leather and sew it by hand yourself.

Mike B