The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop clutch help needed ASAP!

I am about to be leaving on a several week trip tomorrow and I am trying to get the engine, clutch, and tranny installed on the truck today: [img]http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/3372/2262317100100058208S425x425Q85.jpg[/img] I ran into a problem, though. The spring on the clutch fork pivot ball broke:
[img]http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/4517/2153996180100058208S425x425Q85.jpg[/img]
[img]http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/6526/2587102970100058208S425x425Q85.jpg[/img]
What I need to know is if I can still assemble the engine to bellhousing, then bellhousing, flywheel and clutch to tranny without putting the pivot fork in right now. Can I just put the throwout bearing on the tranny shaft, then assemble everything, then later install the new pivot ball and spring and put in the fork. Is there enough room to slide in the pivot fork from underneath or from the side after everything is already assembled? I have a GMC 228, 4 speed SM420 tranny, and 9 1/8" clutch. Please help ASAP Thanks.

That is basically the technique I've used in my 54 235 transmission installation, with the exception of installing the pivot ball. Once you install the clutch disc and the pressure plate you're not going to have enough room to center and start the ball.

The spring actually goes inside the clutch fork...it's got a groove to hold it and you just snap it over the ball once you get your fork in the throw-out bearing groove. With the ball in place you shouldn't have any problem getting the fork to snap onto the ball with your clutch assembly installed as well as the transmission bolted up tight.

I've pulled several down that didn't even have the spring in the fork. Once the linkage is adjusted down it will apply pressure to the fork and hold it against the pivot ball. However, this takes some fancy contortions as you need to hold it in place while you adjust up the linkage to take out excessive free play. Hope this helps.

Dave

So I can just install the pivot ball and then put everything together and put the fork in later when I get the snap spring?

Yes

Definitely install the pivot ball....before you install your clutch disc and pressure plate. Add a little chassis grease to the spring area of the fork so you won't have any squeaks when you push in the clutch. It takes a little finagling to guide the fork into place (up from the bottom) once you've got the spring inserted into the fork. You're going to have to fish around, holding the fork from the outside to get it into the groove in the throwout bearing. Once you get this lined up you just pull to the back of the truck to snap it onto the pivot ball. With the spring snapped onto the pivot ball, the fork will stay in place and you can install your linkage and make your initial adjustments. Be sure to use a pilot to align your clutch disc...don't grease the pilot bushing and be sure to support the sm420....if it gets away from you you can damage the disc. It's a heavyweight so be careful.

I built a little 2x4 frame with a boat winch that straddled the opening in the cab...allowed me to raise and lower it from above by myself. Have some pics in my "Shoebox" album. Hope this helps.

Dave

I think I disagree.

Once I forgot to install the clutch throwout bearing arm / fork. I had the transmission and throwout bearing installed. There was absoultly no way I could get the fork in without removing the transmission, and that's what I ended up doing. This on a 55 235 with 11" clutch (9 bolt pressure plate), although I think any size clutch will have the same problem.
I even tried to unscrew the ball, assemble it all then screw the ball back in, no luck.

Grigg

Notice the words "finagle and fish"....sorta like "almost and maybe." Could be that Justin might have a problem....how about a compromise?
Put the fork in before....tie it over to the driver's side and then after you've got your transmission bolted up, work it onto the T.O. bearing, and snap it into place. However, this leaves him with having to do the whole clutch install after he gets his new spring for the fork. He can bolt on his bell housing, flywheel, and just the pressure plate and give it a try. If he can't manage to get it in he will just have to wait of the new spring or install it without one and adjust up the linkage to hold it in place. What do you think?

Dave

I put my fork in after on my 51 1 Ton. I don't think the clip serves a purpose once evrything is in place and adjusted.

Just assemble everything without the spring. You'll need to use a bungee cord, or some other way of putting a little tension on the throwout fork while you install the transmission and adjust the clutch linkage to the correct free pedal, but you'll never miss the spring once the job is assembled.
Jerry

That's good to know. I was gung-ho yesterday when I brought out the old ball and spring and The piece of the spring just broke right off. The whole project flashed before my eyes. not really but it turns out we aren't going on the trip for another week or so. I'll be able to finish this I think. Thanks for the quick responses anyway.