Clutch pedal engagement

[cjoenny89]

I have a 68 chevy c20 327 3 OTT. Its a new clutch and pressure plate I believe. I say believe because engine was rebuilt and clutch installed in 1990? then it sat. Its alive now in 2015.
The clutch doesn't slip or anything when taking off in first gear it shakes some taking off. The question is where is the pedal suppose to engage? It seems to be engaging at the top of the stroke pedal almost out. It makes it tough this way with the spring tension on the leg to let it out. Going in reverse is much easier. Should the pedal engage closer to the floor? I know on my VW buggy I have the pedal adjusted so its the first few inches from the floor that does the work and the Chevy seems like it really does the work at the fully released state. is this normal for these trucks and I just have to get used to it and it isn't like a car or my buggy?
Does this make since to you guys? I almost feel like I am feathering the clutch and revving it up in first gear with the pedal 3/4 the way released before I get going most times. I have no other issues with it other then on take off in first gear. I have had many manual transmissions over the years and they have all been smother then this but never had one in a truck. am I asking for to much or just need to learn and practice this old girl?
Thanks

[smoked68]

Hi, The clutch pedal should be half way or closer. At least that's how I have all mine set up. The chatter you feel on release is probably the flywheel needs turning. I always keep a turned flywhl to replace when putting in a new clutch. Its cheap to have one surfaced and made true and flat.

[cjoenny89]

I have no idea on fly wheel but I would guess he didn't surface it. I was 13 then and I am 41 now. If you do it right no problems other times it seems like the whole truck shakes. I feel like I have to gas it up to much to get going.
When I am on a flat surface in rev I just have to let the clutch out no gas and it seems the way I need it to be. But I am not sure how it would be on an incline like when I have to take off in first.
Probably not an easy job to get the flywheel out at this point. It might have to wait.

[hamjet]

A number of things can cause it to chatter while letting out on the clutch. sitting that long a time could be surface rust on the flywheel or p. plate, a worn pilot bushing, loose clutch plate springs from a lot of abuse, (dumping the clutch), a worn carrier bearing in your two piece drive shaft, maybe even a broken or worn motor mount. alot of things to check off your list.. I've even seen a clutch disc bent from someone trying to put the tranny in and when slid onto the spline of the disc, take a break and let the weight of the tranny hang down to get another grip to put it in..

[cjoenny89]

I recall them having problems putting the engine back in it I think it was a tough time lining everything up to get it to slide in. I recall the front clip being off. But it has sat many years. Engine was rebuilt and crank was turned I assume they put a new pilot bushing in. I am also assuming new clutch and pressure plate but rust could be a factor. Also dad being 81 now doesn't know for sure if it was a new clutch truck only has 45k miles on it yes that is correct my grandfather didn't drive it much. I will check the carrier bearing and the rest will have to wait until I get more time. Thanks chad

[68panelman]

My 67 shortbed does the same thing, I tried adjusting the linkage, but there's only so much that will do before it gets loose and sloppy and your only relying on the tension spring to keep it together. I have no slippage, but have to rev high and slowly release which isn't good for the clutch either, forget about reverse on an incline, did that the other day at mom's and thought I was gonna lose my driveshaft. All my 4 trucks are manual, so my driving ability is not the issue, thinking a scored/ burned flywheel from po useing clutch as a brake had something to do with it. New clutch and flywheel will be this winters project

[cjoenny89]

Keep me posted sounds exactly like mine. I don't think it's my driving either I have owned many manual trans vehicles and never a problem. My VW buggy had a lot of chatter on take off and changed the clutch and it fixed it might be the same thing.

[68panelman]

Usually when the clutch grabs high, that's your tell-tale she's getting low on material.

[motorcritter]

Look for slop/play/wear/misalignment in the clutch linkage. I had a '60 Impala convertible (and wish I still did!). The clutch was like stepping on a brick- and it grabbed right at the top. When it finally started slipping, I installed a new one, but found a whole lotta abnormalities in the linkage. Everything was worn heavily, so I snatched everything from my friends' '61 Impala parts car. That cured the clutch problem. It was a long time ago (I was 16-17 years old), but I've run across this in other vehicles with similar linkage arrangements. The '69 GMC I'm currently getting ready to drop an engine & transmission in, has the same sort of problem. My inspection revealed that the pivot ball is bent slightly, and there's not enough adjustment to take out the slop. Dammit.
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