T5 help

[Emmets '63]

Originally Posted by jocko

ok, thanks emmet - I understand what you had done to the clutch disk itself.
But, for the rest - are you saying you are using your original pressure plate and a matched release bearing - i.e. all you changed was to have an old s10 clutch disk hub rebuilt to fit within your current pressure plate?

Is the release bearing new? If so, it should be the exact same thickness overall as the one you replaced (as long as the pressure plate is original). in other words, described matched - or perhaps confirm what the mechanic thought was matched.

You mentioned it grinds when you try to put it in reverse - I have a dumb quesiton - but I'm assuming the engine is running, yes? What concerns me more is you also said you can't put it in any fwd gears? Can you describe what happens when you try? That sounds like a bit of a different issue than the clutch being engaged or not. What happens when you shift the stick around with the truck not running? On the T5, should be able to row in and out of all 5+R with it not running at a minimum.

If you cannot get it into gear with the truck off, hmmm...
If you can get it into gear with the truck off - what happens when you try to start it?
With the clutch pedal depressed?
With it not depressed?
(btw, be careful, don't accidentally drive through your garage wall doing these tests... might want to consider jacking up the rear axle if you haven't already).

One more thing to consider - not sure anyone mentioned above - do you recall confirming that you put the clutch disk in facing the correct way? There is a difference, and they are usually (supposed to be labeled) so that they can be installed correctly - i.e. flywheel side/pressure plate side, etc.

When I look at the pics - it's kinda hard to tell, but it does appear that the friction surface is clearly engaged in contact with the flywheel in one pic and not in contact in the other....

Yes sir, original pressure plate and same old release bearing.
Engine running: I can't get it into any gear, in reverse, non-synchronized, it grinds; all other gears it just won't go in.
Engine off: It'll go into gears.
If I put it into gear (clutch depressed or not) and bump the starter it it'll lurch forward, same for reverse.
I'm really leaning towards the fact that my brain capacity has diminished so much over the years that it's more and more likely that I've put the disk in facing the wrong direction.
Poised to pull the tranny........
Btw, Emmet was my Grandfather who passed some time ago and he gave me the truck. He bought it new off the lot in California in '63.