Hey Everybody!

- 69 Corvette 427/ 4 speed

I am new to the forums and am looking for your expertise.
BACKGROUND: My father (a mechanic) owned a 1969 Corvette with a 427 since he was 22yrs old and was always held in the garage. He would turn it on about once a year and maybe drive it down the street and back (but no more than that). He passed away 4 months ago due to cancer, and the corvette was left to my brother and I. We started the corvette yesterday, and we noticed some problems right away--

- When started, the corvette would not go into any gear (reverse, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th). When the vehicle was off, it would shift into any gears with no problem. Looking for any opinions. Can it be the linkage or throw out bearing?

- When starting the the corvette, sometimes the starter will engage the flywheel and sometimes you can hear just the starter rotating by not engaging with the flywheel. Is it safe to say the starter needs a rebuild?

Any help would be great. I am mechanically inclined as I worked with my dad, but would like to know if people had the same issues. Thank you for your time!

 

BTW- everything is original on the Corvette besides the carb.

 

Did it grind when you tried to put it in reverse with the engine running?
Mike

 

Yes, it would grind.

 

The clutch needs adjusting......................

 

Or, the clutch disc is rusted to the flywheel.

 

May be worth verifying the linkage is adjusted correctly as well.

Starter grinding could need to be shimmed or the teeth are just worn out. Best to pull it and see what is looks like. Then you can check the flywheel as well.

 

Thanks for the information. We have noticed that sometimes placing it in 1st gear would be a little difficult at times, but would always go in. The clutch has the usual pressure on the pedal, so I don't think the clutch would be rusted to the flywheel.

 

See the question in the previous post about not going in gear when running. Sounds like when you press the clutch pedal, the clutch disc is still spinning and also the input shaft on the trans, so it will not go in gear. See if you can adjust the linkage to release more. If you have room in front of the car, put it in first gear, step on the clutch- all the way- and start the car. If it lurches forward, the clutch is not disengaged. Be ready to switch off the engine quickly.


Note that there is another problem I hope you do not have. For cars that sit a long time, sometimes the clutch disc becomes rusted fast to either the flywheel or the clutch pressure plate. When this happens pressing the clutch pedal will break it free - usually from the pressure plate- but the disc keeps spinning due to it being still attached to the fly wheel. Last time this happened to me, it required towing the car and using the tires to try to break it loose with the car in gear and clutch depressed.


Second problem is the Bendix gear on the starter. It is supposed to slide and engage the ring gear on the flywheel when you turn the ignition key to start. Sometimes the gear, spring and shaft on the starter get dirty and gummed up so the gear will not slide, especially on old cars. Remove the starter and see if cleaning the shaft with carb cleaner and getting it clean and dry will make it work. Do not oil it or it will gum up again. You can buy a separate Bendix gear, but most people buy the entire starter, which includes the gear. Welcome to working on old Corvettes. RA