68 starts without clutch depressed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
First, what transmission is in the car? My aftermarket TKO starts in neutral only but does not require the clutch to be pressed. Depends where your neutral safety is wired. If all original, I agree, no that is not normal. Look for a switch on your clutch, or two larger purple wires running together.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
My 68 starts in gear too!
My 68 with a base engine and M20 4sp starts in gear too. Need to be careful as it will lurch forward and I know a couple of friends that had to do front end repairs because their 59 and 68 autos lurched into a work bench in a shop.
I thought this is normal for an original 68.
I thought this is normal for an original 68.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,755
Likes: 2,589
i can not image a clutch safety switch being an option! Have you looked at the clutch pedal for the switch in the diagram
https://www.chicagocorvette.net/diag...d=2552&rc=2212
https://www.chicagocorvette.net/diag...d=2552&rc=2212
Last edited by MelWff; Feb 4, 2015 at 05:03 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,544
Likes: 1,977
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Switch
The switch pictured goes on the transmission. I have the switch on my 68 and it is connected and works the reverse lights. My 66 and 68 do not have a neutral safety switch on the clutch. I put a Tremec in my 66. The Tremec has a switch for a clutch cut out, but I cannot use it because the car does not have a clutch switch. Jerry
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 102
Likes: 18
From: Pembroke Pines, Fl
I had a 68 L36 in '73 and it would start without depressing clutch pedal. I had the typical bolt ons including a L88 cam. To start the car i would pump the gas pedal once and then hold about a third down. It would start instantly. I started it once in gear by mistake. Thank god there was nothing in front of me!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 671
From: Northeast
Don't know what year it started but do you have this on the clutch pedal?
At the track they have you turn the key in gear looking for that safety switch. Dangerous without it if something or someone is in front of you.
At the track they have you turn the key in gear looking for that safety switch. Dangerous without it if something or someone is in front of you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
Wow ...I d never guessed a C3 was made without a clutch pedal start safety switch .
So ...it's confirmed no clutch pedal switch in 1968 ?
Mine went bad last year in my 74 . I bought a NOS. Switch ....it's such a pita to get to ....I still haven't installed it. You have to stand on your head . It's one of awful corvette corvette jobs I
dread
So ...it's confirmed no clutch pedal switch in 1968 ?
Mine went bad last year in my 74 . I bought a NOS. Switch ....it's such a pita to get to ....I still haven't installed it. You have to stand on your head . It's one of awful corvette corvette jobs I
dread
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
This is the correct answer as best I can tell. It is the way my 68 is with no clutch pedal switch in site. This was not unusual in cars even in the 70's. I did not know the change occurred in 69 but now I have a new Corvette trivia fact.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Think this is correct.
Think this is correct, I later did check the 68 wiring schematic and no switch to prevent start in gear that I could find. My friend had the front end of his 68 Karmann Ghia damaged when a shop started his in gear and hit a workbench and ditto another friend with a 59 Corvette same story. So, I guess this might have been common back then.
Correction: There is a neutral start safety switch on the schematic for option M35 but in the service manual it is described for an automatic, so I still do not see anything for a manual.
Correction: There is a neutral start safety switch on the schematic for option M35 but in the service manual it is described for an automatic, so I still do not see anything for a manual.
Last edited by 20mercury; Feb 5, 2015 at 11:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 760
Likes: 22
From: Slatington PA
Thanks for all the replies.
I bought my 68 last October after talking with the 2nd owner and inspecting the car myself. It appears all original and all there.
This clutch deal was the only thing I was scratching my head on so I figured I'd throw it out to the knowledgeable folks here on the forum.
Save the wave,
Garrett
I bought my 68 last October after talking with the 2nd owner and inspecting the car myself. It appears all original and all there.
This clutch deal was the only thing I was scratching my head on so I figured I'd throw it out to the knowledgeable folks here on the forum.
Save the wave,
Garrett