The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Transmission won't disengage??

I have something that is puzzling me today. I tried to take the truck out for its maiden voyage last night after adjusting the brakes. Unfortunately after starting the engine and depressing the clutch I tried to put it in gear, but just ground gears as if the input shaft was still spinning. Other than readjusting the clutch to remove any additional play (it is already pretty tight) are there any other possible explanations for this one? I am running a stock 235 with a 4 speed Saginaw w/the Patrick's shifter kit. Hopefully this is an easy fix so I can get the truck on the road tonight after nearly three years. Thanks.

I don't have any experience with this, so take my thoughts for what they are worth...

Could you be having interference from the pilot bearing? If it was real dirty, or installed wrong, or for some other reason the input shaft is sticking to it, releasing the clutch might not cause the input shaft to quit turning.

Just a wild guess....

If you haven't driven it for a while, the clutch may be rusted to the pressure plate. Did you try shutting off the engine and starting it in gear? (Use 4th so you don't snap the spider gears if it starts and its stuck)

I thought about the pilot bearing, but hoped that was not the case. Don't really want to get under the truck to pull the transmission again if I can avoid it.

As for starting the truck in gear to break the clutch from the flywheel, I have not tried that yet. I may give that a whirl (pun intended) this evening to see if that works. I install the transmission onto the engine about a year or so ago. Even though it has been in a garage the whole time, you never know.

Thanks for the quick responses!