The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Clutch problem

Hi All, I parked my 53 Chevy 3100 3 speed on the column last Spring in my heated garageand did alot of work on it NOT involving the clutch or tranny. I started it up in Neutral and tried to put it in 1st and it would grind and the same in reverse, I shut it off and tried to start it in 1st and with the clutch pedal down, it moved forward and the same in rev. I tried to get it to roll down my driveway in gear to kick start but wouldn't coast holding clutch pedal in . I put it in neutral and it coasted and put it away CAN YOU HELP ME??? Thanks, ruce

Some times if there is alittle oil on the clutch the pressure plate will stick to the clutch it should lossen up if you hold the clutch in and put it in 3rd gear than hit the starter also if you take the inspection cover off the bell housing you can spray some brake clean in there to get rid of the oil.


Good luck,Pete

Chevybruce discovers the joys of a classic GM annoyance, stuck clutch plate.

I am dismissing a disconnected or broken clutch linkage. You did check for this, right?

You are in Pennsylvania, high humidity, chances are good your clutch plate is swollen with moisture or a bit rusted here and there causing your plate to be "glued" to your flywheel. If your rear main seal or trans front seal leaks oil, could be swollen with oil which has become sticky or partially hard.

I have experienced this a handful of times over the decades, and always after a long sitting period.

For all of these cures, let your engine idle and warm up to operating temperature beforehand. Heat will help.

First cure is to set your parking brake, slip your truck into _high_ gear, clutch to the floor, key off, then stomp on the floorboard starter button. Give this a try, brake on, high gear. Be ready for your truck to lurch, be sure you will not crash into your wife and especially not her car.

Another cure is adjust up your clutch way too tight. Take out all slack and go another quarter inch to half inch. Work your clutch a bunch of times without your engine running. Slip your trans into _high_ gear, bottom out your clutch, key off, hit the starter button, see what happens. Remember to readjust your clutch play to correct settings so your throwout bearing will not spinning all the time.

An exasperating cure is to raise your rear tires off the ground, firmly and safely support your rear axle with good stands, chock your front tires. You might need a freshly charged hot battery for this. Idle your engine until well warmed up. Turn off your engine. Slip your truck into second or high, clutch in to the floorboard, start your engine. Tires will spin if your clutch plate remains stuck. Keep your clutch pressed down. Slowly apply your regular brakes, this should cause your clutch disk to release.

Should those fail, might as well drop your trans then pull the clutch out for replacement. Easy job, just a few hours.

A caution is should you hear serious clunks, clanks, any bad noises, stop what you are doing, replace the clutch.

Work safe and good luck with a well known GM annoyance!

Billyray

OR, as I have done many times with mine, remove the dust cover and with a slender screwdriver, gently pry the disc away from the flywheel. Works for me on mine.
dg

Thank you Pete and Billyray. Both of you have been very helpful. You gotta love these trucks..........For better or worse.....P.S. clutch linkage is fine..... Chevybruce

Thanks for chiming in DGERTH

DGERTH.......Your way of freeing the clutch freed the clutch in no time. My friend Jon came over and we got it unstuck by prying the disc from the flywheel . It didn't take long. I went and got it inspected , and now we're cruisin'!!!!! Thanks

I just realized all you guys said the same thing about freeing the disc with a screwdriver!!!!!! Thanks to ALL

Chevybruce, you are very welcome, anytime!
dgerth