Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) breaking in SBC

[ecv2001]

I just got my new clutch in. Only problem it is still a little hard to shift. Maybe I need to adjust but unshure how to. any help out there would be great.

jim c

 

[J.R. Adkins]

I would suggest that you put several hundred miles on the clutch. If the hard shifting still continues, then I would change the trans fluid to the Redline MTL. The clutch that you have is the smoothest clutch the SBC has out. The trans fluid really helps and is money well spent.



J. R.

 

[WadePatton]

clutch and transmission

The way I see it-- the clutch is an on/off switch for the transmission. I don't see any way a clutch can change the way the gears/sycros mesh inside the box. The clutch is outside the box and only determines when the input shaft is spinning.



So you have two different things that can be called "shifting" the acutal stirring of the box and the application of power- engagement/disengagement of the clutch.



That being said, my shifting changed a little after I installed my SBC. I'm satisfied that it is in the tower alignment. I'm going to wiggle that a bit before I do anything else.

 

[krs]

It's probably dragging a little because it's so nice, new, and thick. It's really not adjustable so all you can do is make sure that you're putting the pedal all the way to the floor. Might help to temporarily remove any floor mat(s) or anything else that might keep the pedal up even a little.



I don't know if Peter recommends it or not, but it sometimes helps to burn the clutch hard a few times. I mean get the revs up and slip it in second to get you going.



BTW, firemanemt, does the name Capt. Frank Neer do anything for you?

 

[CRegal]

Did you do the install? Did you change out the pilot bearing? Reason being is, I didnt change mine out when I intially installed the sbc. I had hard shifting problems going from neutral to any gear. I then pulled it back out & replace the pilot bearing. Smooth shifting from neutral now. fwiw

 

[ecv2001]

I think it is time to replace the transmission fluid again anyway . also SBC has a kit they give you. has all the parts in it. I personally did'nt put the clutch in. Had it done in a shop. Needed my truck this weekend for a trip so i just had it done.

I'm proud to say the clutch cost moore than the instilation.

thanks for the info.

jim c

 

[fj40charles]

Jim,



My clutch feels better now after I changed out the fluid (MTX 1874), but it was very tight and hard to shift right after I got my

clutch in. I'm pretty sure yours is dragging and will continue to drag for a while until it clutch wears in a little. I would not try to "burn in the clutch" because you can create hot spots on the flywheel.



Charles

 

[PRout]

I would not abuse a new clutch, and would take it very easy on it for awhile, so that it has a chance to get the surfaces matched up without being burned & compromised in the process.



My hard shifting problem started at about 87k miles. Was a bad pilot bearing. The bearing was dragging enough to not allow the transmission to spin free of the motor during shifting, therefore the syncros couldnt do their job of matching the input shaft to the next gear speed.



Went with the Southbend con-o. I do love the smoothness of this clutch, as its smoother than the stock one, and it doesnt slip. It caused idle gear clatter in mine though. That was the only drawback.



I find it hard to believe that going to a different transmission oil would make that much improvement in shifting over the stock recommended oil.



If theres that much improvement in shifting, it seems to me that there must not have been enough lube in the transmission to begin with. My 6sp shifts fine with the stock fluid, why wouldnt others, if they have the same fluid? If the oil does make that much difference in some trannies, then there must either be a significant variance in the tolerances, or materials used between individual trannys, or maybe the recommended fluid level is borderline on being too low, and some are feeling the affects of low fluid & some aren't.



My point is, that if its hard to shift, and the clutch is not at fault, I would suspect a low fluid level, before id suspect the quality of the oil. The stuff works fine in most trannies (indicating the oil doesnt seem to be causing shifting problems).



I do believe some members have tried running a higher than recommended fluid level, and it may have helped, but not sure on that.



This is only opinion though, and not proven. . yet.