Need help with SM465

[Ethan0]

I recently swapped my 454 for a 350 and now the truck won’t move. I can’t get the clutch to engage or disengage. I can put the clutch pedal in and out and the transmission goes into gear but when I take my foot off the clutch it doesn’t move. Don’t know what the problem could be at this point. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[bucket]

The truck is rejecting the little small block, lol

Seriously though, have a helper work the clutch pedal while you check for a fully operational linkage and a clutch fork that has sufficient movement. Also peak in the bellhousing and look for the throwout bearing to be moving.

Did you possibly install the clutch disc backwards?

 

[Ethan0]

That’s funny. That could be a possibility. I’m checking the clutch linkage and clutch fork and bearing now. Would it not be engaging because the clutch is not adjusted correctly?

 

[bucket]

That’s funny. That could be a possibility. I’m checking the clutch linkage and clutch fork and bearing now. Would it not be engaging because the clutch is not adjusted correctly?

Possibly. If you pop the linkage off of the fork and then the truck tries to move when it's in gear and you try to start it, then you know it's an adjustment issue.

But with that said, unless you adjusted it, it should work the same as it did before if all you did was change the engine.

 

[Ethan0]

Ok thank you a lot for help

 

[Ethan0]

Also, the clutch fork has a lot of play. I’m able to move it around a lot up and down and left to right. Not sure if it being this loose is a problem.

 

[idahovette]

No throw-out bearing?????

 

[Ethan0]

Okay, the truck will move now. I accidentally kicked the transfer case into neutral, my bad lol. But I think the clutch fork slips off of the pivot ball after I push the clutch pedal in about 2-3 times.

 

[bucket]

It should be adjusted so that there is just a slight amount of wiggle when everything is at rest. Iirc, there's a spring that keeps the pushrod snug to the clutch fork.

It sounds like your fork is worn out. The fingers may be worn/broken and the retaining tabs that hold it on the pivot ball may be worn out.

 

[Ethan0]

That’s what I’m thinking. For now I just hooked up some springs to keep it in place.

 

[Raider L]

Wow, I thought there shouldn't be but a little bit of movement in the whole linkage, fork, etc. when it's adjusted properly? @Ethan0 said he was checking the, "etc., etc., bearing", so it's all there. @bucket, wouldn't if the pressure plate was backwards the teeth for the starter would be on the engine side and not where the starter could engage? Man, all the work just to turn the plate back around.

 

[bucket]

Wow, I thought there shouldn't be but a little bit of movement in the whole linkage, fork, etc. when it's adjusted properly? @Ethan0 said he was checking the, "etc., etc., bearing", so it's all there. @bucket, wouldn't if the pressure plate was backwards the teeth for the starter would be on the engine side and not where the starter could engage? Man, all the work just to turn the plate back around.

The flywheel has the starter ring gear on it. I think that would be impossible to mount backwards. The pressure plate would be impossible to mount backwards as well. Now the clutch disc itself, that could have been backwards and that's what I was asking about. They have an offset hub and one side is almost always labeled "flywheel side" to help with any confusion in assembly. I don't know what would actually happen if it was installed backwards because I've never done it.

 

[Raider L]

@bucket,

Yeah that's right, I had my terminology wrong. That's what I meant was the "flywheel", not the pressure plate. It's the thing that has all the fingers on it. And it is impossible to get backwards. And you are right about the clutch disc, doesn't it have a hub on one side and is flat on the side facing the flywheel? Something like that?

I haven't looked at one in many years other than pictures in a magazine, even though that's all I have ever dealt with until I bought my truck. That was the first automatic I ever had among over a dozen cars and trucks that were all manual.

These kids haven't lived until they've changed out a clutch, with the car parked over a ditch so I could get under it, a piece of cardboard thrown down under the car, it's raining and water is running up the crack of your butt, and you're trying to stab the transmission for the third or fourth time with wet oily hands, and did it all with a cresent wrench, a big screw driver and a claw hammer! Awww, the good 'ol days! My a**!!

 

[Powerhouse Ranch]

Okay, the truck will move now. I accidentally kicked the transfer case into neutral, my bad lol. But I think the clutch fork slips off of the pivot ball after I push the clutch pedal in about 2-3 times.

i was gonna suggest this, it just happened to me the other day haha

 

[Powerhouse Ranch]

BUT I ALSO NEED HELP WITH MY SM465!!!

My rear seal on my tranny is leaking and i'm going to be replacing it due to a decent leak. Plus the fluid is probably due for a change.

Now i've done research on what to put in it and NO ONE HAS A CLEAR ANSWER.

What the hell do i put in it?? I've heard that GL5 is bad for the syncros, that you'd want GL4 but it's too light or something? Some people simply say 80w-90 gear lube, some say ATF.

I need a STRAIGHT answer damn it! Leak is getting bad, i'm getting low and i don't wanna put that wrong stuff in it. Any CLEAR and EFFECTIVE answers would be appreciated. Thank you

P.S.

I do run this behind a 454 which gets pretty hot obviously. Keep this in mind..