Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train 50 chev car clutch problem

I have a 50 chev car with a 6 that I have run a 4 speed muncie in for the last 20 + years. A few years ago I started experiencing a binding problem with the clutch not wanting to release or engage smoothly. I have replace the clutch twice, throw out bearing and collar on the trans input shaft but the problem still persists. I know the linkage on these cars leaves to be desired from a geometry standpoint but I don't see why the problem started after so many years of operating fine. Any ideas?

A couple of quick thoughts on the problem. Has one or more of the motor mounts or trans mounts sagged or otherwise deteriorated? Is there excess slop in the pedal arm bushings causing a wobble side to side or similar movement to hang up the clutch pedal? Is the clutch fork pivot ball inside the bellhousing worn or the dimple in the fork where the ball seats about to blow through from wear?

To me it sounds like a wear problem at some point so what I mentioned is at least a place to start.

Mike

Hi,
I'm new to the forum. I had a similar problem and I had to change the pilot bushing/bearing in the end of the crank.

Old 216 Chevy,Welcome to Inliners. Was the pilot bushing just worn out or damaged? Did you have to use a different size bushing from stock? Just curious.

Hey All,
Thanks for the Welcome.
The bushing is the oil impregnated type. I didn't see a lot of wear but it built up a film on it and the mainshaft and would get sticky and gummed up. After replacing the clutch twice and cleaning the bush I finally got smart and replaced the bush, cured my problem of not wanting to disengage. This was on a stock 52, I replaced it with oem and size.

Thanks for all of the input. I am sure that the fork and pivot ball have some wear but visually they don't look too bad. I tried a different used fork but it could be as bad as my original one. I looked to buy a new one but couldn't find one recently. If anyone knows of one I would be interesed in buying it. The mounts are new but not stock. I did try elevating and lowering the trans to different heights on a jack to see if that would solve it in case it was the mounts but had no luck. I will also try the pilot bearing as I am running out of other things to try.

Try disconnecting the fork from the rest of the linkage and operating the clutch pedal manually to see if there are any rough spots in the travel.

Dear John;

That's a good idea. The clutch pivot point (shaft) through the master cyl. may need grease. Some models had a fiting there.

If not you may need to put one in.

Good luck, John M.......