1977 Chevy clutch problem need help before snow!!!

Posted by ThatOtherGuy on November 28, 2004 at 17:59:22 from (68.255.61.103):

Last year I put a new clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing in my 1977 Chevy 4x4 when I took the 350 out and put a 305 in it. It seemed to work alright. Then I realized putting a 305 in a plow/5th wheel truck was a mistake. So I put a 350 with Edelbrock Performer kit back in (after fixing the leaks and heads and headgaskets). I was sure to put a pliot bearing in the crankshaft. Then problems started. The clutch pushed really hard most of the time and got harder as I pulled the tri-axle 5th wheel flatbed. Then at one point it worked ok. Then it pushed hard again. Then the day before Thanksgiving, the clutch went up. (when we got 6 in of snow, just my luck)I know it took out the throwout bearing cause the last time I pushed the clutch in I heard the bearing bust into pieces and the engine clunks when it idles. (When it started clunking I quit running it)

I noticed the clutch fork looked messed up. The way my dad and I installed it was with the throwout bearing/clutch fork/bellhousing on the engine and putting it onto the transmission. I think if we had the bellhousing on the transmission then putting the engine in it would be better cause the throwout bearing is alreadly centered and the clutch fork would be set.

Please help me on this. I will be putting a new clutch kit in it in a few days and I need all the tips I can get! I have to have this truck ready to snowplow soon!

BTW the clutch is the AutoZone brand and the tranny/transfer case is a SM465/NP205.
The pressure plate is the 3 fork style not diaphram.

The best reason I have to keep the truck running is it was my uncle's. He bought it new and then 6 years ago he gave it to me cause he didnt have the heart to kill his helping hand. I dont have the heart to put it down either. Its a special plow truck with special front driveshaft and was manufactured with other unique features. It never got a plow till I got it. I've been slowing restoring it but things like this really shove 'the throwout bearing into the clutch'.

All help would be appriciated. Thanks.

Follow Ups:

• Re: 1977 Chevy clutch problem need help before sno rager 22:02:32 12/05/04 (0)
• Re: 1977 Chevy clutch problem need help before sno Allan C 19:49:47 11/28/04 (2)
  • Re: Re: 1977 Chevy clutch problem need help before ThatOtherGuy 17:22:13 11/29/04 (1)
    • Re: Re: Re: 1977 Chevy clutch problem need help be SteveB(wi) 18:22:46 12/02/04 (0)

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