Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 5 spd. Hard to get in gear

[ROADWARRIOR]

I had a SBC Con FE installed about 1 year and 15,000 miles ago. When I picked the truck up, I immediately noticed it went into gear harder. It would move the truck forward a little bit with the clutch pedal to the floor and then stop. I complained to the dealer and they said the clutch was fine, and replaced the top plate in the transmission. That seemed to help very little if at all. I just got used to shifting with reving the engine up and double clutching as necessary. Well, this past weekend it started getting worse and after removing the floor mat, it seems to have improved. It works good about 80% of the time. Still sometimes I can't get it into 1,2 or R. One time it even was very hard to pull it out of reverse.



Clutch pressure feels the same. Can't see any visible leaks. Fluid is topped off. Clutch has always engaged about two inches from top of clutch travel.



Any help would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,

Dan

 

[Steve Campbell]

Another member...

posted that he "moved" (required some cutting and welding) the boss on the clutch pedal in the cab to "adjust" how high off of the floor the clutch engaged.



I assume that the SBC is slightly thinner as a package and that is why the pedal has to be pushed farther in to release it.

 

[Archive]

Did they install a new pilot bearing when they did the clutch installation?

 

[dieselboy25]

Hey Dan,

I agree that I would check your pilot bearing. I had one go out on my road track car and it had very similar symptoms.



Sorry I have been out of the loop for some of the get-togethers.

I will get my act together.

Later,

Eric

 

[Amianthus]

Yeah, what's the matter with you?!



ROADWARRIOR, I hadn't thought about your pilot bushing being the problem. Yeah, that could do it too. Anyway you slice it, i think a trip inside your bell-housing is in order. I don't know if there is really gonna be any way around it.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

Update,



Today, I looked at the master cylinder and it appeared to be wet on the end where the reservoir and slave tube connects. I cleaned it off and went for a test drive. While driving the truck was fine for the first mile. After that it wouldn't go into first or second twice. When I got home it wouldn't release out of first. I checked the master cylinder and it was dry. I measured the slave travel and got 25mm(22-23 minimun according to Dave Fritz's website). I don't know if it is normal, but the copper wire I shoved past the slave cylinder had black stuff on it when I pulled it out, kinda like the stuff you wipe off of your grease zerks.



The old pilot bearing is in my clutch box and it looks good, so I assume that the new one was installed.



It looks like I might learn how to take a clutch out.



Do you guys think that once everything is apart that I will be able to see the problem?



Thanks,

Dan

 

[WeirCummin]

Dan, sounds like a pilot bearing by your update. If it "was fine for the first mile" and then started acting up you can eliminate the hydraulics. It may not be obvious when you get the clutch out, but I would suggest and I'm sure I'll get flamed for this. When you replace the pilot bearing, get an OEM dealer replacement. Belive it or not they are of better quality do to the fact they have seals on the end to retain the grease.



Dean

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by WeirCummin

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this. When you replace the pilot bearing, get an OEM dealer replacement. Belive it or not they are of better quality do to the fact they have seals on the end to retain the grease.



Dean

Good advice Dean, I noticed that when I had my OEM replaced with a SBC. That little rubber seal is needed to hold the grease in.



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