Can't go anywhere
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas
Can't go anywhere
Hey all. I have a 1976 corvette with a 4 speed. Just recently got a hold of it. I am under the impression that the clutch will not disengage. I can shift into all gears with the engine started and without pressing the clutch pedal. Where should I start in trying to diagnose or fix this problem? Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,291
Likes: 493
From: Salmon Arm, BC
Can you push the car with it in gear? Do the gears grind while your shifting them with the engine running? Funny noises while it's running? look for a broken input shaft or a missing driveshaft. Have a look underneath....
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
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From: SW Florida.
You can shift the car into all gears without stepping on the clutch while the engine is running? Does the car go anywhere or is it sitting still? If it's not going anywhere at all, something is broken. And are you sure it's the clutch won't engage, not disengage?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
My sister drove our 68 Falcoln home stuck in 3rd. Slipped clutch till it got so hot it softened and collapsed the springs in the pressure plate. Could also be clutch disk so shot the slip is total.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Generally if clutch won't disengage, you crank motor in first and drive away, shifting without clutch til you hafta stop. Shut off. Put in first. Start motor in first when light turns green.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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alot of things have been llisted as possible problems and you have to crawl underneath to check them.
I pull the engine to get the tranny out easily because the tranny cross member is welded in, maybe the PO changed that if your lucky. Some people say they drop theirs with the engine in but its a hassle, especially if your on the groud, on your back and dont have any room
I blew a clutch in a Jeep CJ7 trying to pull my buddies F250 dump up a hill and it just shredded. Same symptoms as you
- disconnected shifter (not likely)
- disconnected diveshaft (it would still be tough to shift and possibly grind)
- blown clutch (most likely)
- broken input shaft ( might hear grinding but might have stopped since PO had it)
- too much cough medicine.....just saying to round out the list
- blown rear differential ( again spinning everything and shifting, the tranny would still grind and make noise
I pull the engine to get the tranny out easily because the tranny cross member is welded in, maybe the PO changed that if your lucky. Some people say they drop theirs with the engine in but its a hassle, especially if your on the groud, on your back and dont have any room
I blew a clutch in a Jeep CJ7 trying to pull my buddies F250 dump up a hill and it just shredded. Same symptoms as you
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Dec 17, 2018 at 08:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas
I can push it while it is in gear. The gears dont grind when shifting while it is running. No funny noises that I can hear. All shafts present.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas
alot of things have been llisted as possible problems and you have to crawl underneath to check them.
I pull the engine to get the tranny out easily because the tranny cross member is welded in, maybe the PO changed that if your lucky. Some people say they drop theirs with the engine in but its a hassle, especially if your on the groud, on your back and dont have any room
I blew a clutch in a Jeep CJ7 trying to pull my buddies F250 dump up a hill and it just shredded. Same symptoms as you
- disconnected shifter (not likely)
- disconnected diveshaft (it would still be tough to shift and possibly grind)
- blown clutch (most likely)
- broken input shaft ( might hear grinding but might have stopped since PO had it)
- too much cough medicine.....just saying to round out the list
- blown rear differential ( again spinning everything and shifting, the tranny would still grind and make noise
I pull the engine to get the tranny out easily because the tranny cross member is welded in, maybe the PO changed that if your lucky. Some people say they drop theirs with the engine in but its a hassle, especially if your on the groud, on your back and dont have any room
I blew a clutch in a Jeep CJ7 trying to pull my buddies F250 dump up a hill and it just shredded. Same symptoms as you
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,291
Likes: 493
From: Salmon Arm, BC
Well then, I'd get underneath and have a look at the clutch disc and see whats left of it....a new one is about 3/8" thick so you can use that to judge what you have left.
Then you need to drain the transmission oil and the rear end oil (suck the rear end oil out) and see if any parts come out with the oil....
Then you need to drain the transmission oil and the rear end oil (suck the rear end oil out) and see if any parts come out with the oil....
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas
Well then, I'd get underneath and have a look at the clutch disc and see whats left of it....a new one is about 3/8" thick so you can use that to judge what you have left.
Then you need to drain the transmission oil and the rear end oil (suck the rear end oil out) and see if any parts come out with the oil....
Then you need to drain the transmission oil and the rear end oil (suck the rear end oil out) and see if any parts come out with the oil....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
Most likely a clutch issue, but the possibility exists it is the rear end that is smoked. Put the car in the air and see if you can turn the rear wheels without the driveshaft turning. If the rear appears intact, the problem is in the clutch and/or transmission. If that's the case, your next step is to remove the transmission and clutch for inspection. It might be easier to convert the transmission crossmember to be removable than to remove the engine.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas
Most likely a clutch issue, but the possibility exists it is the rear end that is smoked. Put the car in the air and see if you can turn the rear wheels without the driveshaft turning. If the rear appears intact, the problem is in the clutch and/or transmission. If that's the case, your next step is to remove the transmission and clutch for inspection. It might be easier to convert the transmission crossmember to be removable than to remove the engine.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 9,354
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I use McLeod but they rate their clutches by HP so you need to research that part.
For the removable crossmember mod,I think there was a couple of posts on how to do it. I havent done it myself, yet. I have the parts though
https://americanpowertrain.com/i-238...corvettes.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ossmember.html
For the removable crossmember mod,I think there was a couple of posts on how to do it. I havent done it myself, yet. I have the parts though
https://americanpowertrain.com/i-238...corvettes.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ossmember.html
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Dec 18, 2018 at 07:58 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Perfection Clutch aka Brute Power
http://www.perfectionclutch.com/products.htm
They were primary sponsor on asphalt circletracker we used to own. Perfection manufactures near me which is also close to Darlington.
Perfection were good to us ... yes, we ran their flywheel, disk and pressure plate ... so I must recommend Perfection.
http://www.perfectionclutch.com/products.htm
They were primary sponsor on asphalt circletracker we used to own. Perfection manufactures near me which is also close to Darlington.
Perfection were good to us ... yes, we ran their flywheel, disk and pressure plate ... so I must recommend Perfection.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas
That would work but the car doesn't move at all. I have to depress the clutch to start the car, but when i left it out....nothing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
There are several ways to go about it. Aftermarket crossmembers are available. I think Bowtie Overdrives is one supplier, and there are probably others. My car started life as an automatic so it has the removable crossmember. I'm sure it is possible to retrofit that factory piece. If it were me, I would probably cut the factory crossmember and fabricate a couple of plates bolted together and weld them in. I know I've seen pictures of that being done on this forum. If you search long enough maybe you'll find them. If you get lucky maybe one of the guys who has done it will respond to this thread.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas