New clutch difficulty going into gear

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Levi85k10

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Hey guys, new to this page and fairly new to square bodies. Over the weekend I installed a new flywheel, pressure plate, pilot bushing, throw out bearing and clutch cover to my 1985 k10 with the 4 speed manual tranny. Since then the clutch engages great with no more throw out bearing noise. But it seems to have a bit more difficulty cycling and engaging the gears. Any ideas or suggestions on what would cause this or possible fixes? Any help is appreciated.
 

DoubleDingo

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A dab of white lithium grease on the nose of the input shaft that goes into the pilot bushing. Not a lot, just a very light film around it.
 
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Levi85k10

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I was hoping not to drop the tranny again, but if I have to I will
 

DoubleDingo

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I was hoping not to drop the tranny again, but if I have to I will

I hear ya. When it happened to me I'd pulled the transmission to rebuild it, but the synchros weren't right, so I had to pull it again and install a spare 3-speed I had laying around. After reinstalling the re-rebuilt transmission I didn't add any grease and I couldn't shift into any gear. Pulled it back a few inches, smeared a little grease on the nose of the input shaft, reinstalled it and it shifted flawlessly. Without the grease the pilot bushing grabs the input shaft and it can't slow down when the clutch is depressed. It just spins with the engine.
 

Levi85k10

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I was afraid of that, it gets into gear, just stiffer than it used to, might as well do it while it still works before creating a bigger issue
 

DoubleDingo

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Is it z-bar linkage? It may be out of adjustment. Try that first. A whole lot easier than pulling everything out. But you did mention replacing the pilot bushing. I'd try adjusting the clutch first if it's a z-bar setup, then do the other if adjusting it doesn't do the trick.
 

crazy4offroad

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Usually associate that with the clutch disk being installed backwards but then it's not "difficult" but a real pain in the ass. Hopefully just out of adjustment, or the old pressure plate was so worn the new one seems too hard to push the pedal down.
 

Levi85k10

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Its not backwards, and its got great pedal feel, it just is harder to actually get into gear than before, especially down shifting into 2nd, almost like the syncros but no grinding just flat out doesn't want to get into gear until almost stopped
 

CSFJ

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Isn't '85 the first year for the hydro clutch anyway?
 

Levi85k10

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Yea its got a hydro clutch, I replaced the slave cylinder a couple months back. The rod seems to have full engagment and the fork has good range of motion. I had read something about the sm465 top ends retaining pins for the shifter causing problems but it doesn't really seem sloppy. I'm going to tear into it more once I get home.
 

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