The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 3800 with clutch problems

1953 3800 dump body refuses to go into gear. Tried adjusting clutch to no avail. Just grinding gears when I try to move it. Worked great up to a month ago. Any suggestions or does it need a new clutch? If it does need a new clutch and suggestions on where to get one?

welcome to the garage Mark, should find some help here to figure out the problem

have you tried shifting it not running [clutched or not]? how does it feel? tried putting it in gear and then starting it? what happens?

have you pulled the belhouse bottom cover to see if things move and what it looks like in there? if the PTO has been abused [forgetting to disengage before hitting the road] it may be a transmission problem rather than clutch

we'd love to see some pics and hear a bit about your "affair" with the truck, be sure to check into the DITY and/or Welcome forums when ya get it figured out

Bill

Hey Bill,
Goes into gear fine when not running. Lift also engages with no problems when not running. Had the bellhouse bottom cover off this morning and all looked fine as much as I can tell.
Seems to me that the clutch is not engaging since when it's running it grinds when I try to put it in any gear or try to engage the lift body.

did you have some one depressing the pedal while you looked inside? should be able to see the action and if the pressure plate is in the right position, might be able to gauge the travel of the plate and thickness of the disc - if the disc is worn out it should disengage more easily, not disengaging sounds more like linkage or trans if the pressure plate is functioning, maybe really worn fork from riding the clutch? really bad throwout bearing?

Bill

Could the disc be rusted to the flywheel?
If that's the only problem then if you can get it running and driving then depress the clutch and see if you can put it under load and break it free. Might just need to get it in gear and driving then apply all three pedals, clutch, gas, and brake.

Grigg

I can not get it driving because it will not go into gear. It runs fine. Starting it in gear was crazy and it had no effect except locking up the shifter for about 30 minutes until I could get it free again. It still does not go into gear though.
I'm starting to think a flat bed to a mechanic is in order.

Hard to say what to do without being there, but if it worked recently it will be something you can figure out and solve I'm pretty sure.
I'd hold off on the rollback and give it another look.

Grigg

Grigg had the answer. It was rusted to the flywheel. It was broken free and now works fine. Thanks.

Glad you've got it figured out!
Was it difficult to unstick, what was your method?

Grigg

Took it apart so it was a little more involved than I would have liked...