Clutch rod too short - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Cbo68 · 08-23-2018, 11:02 PM

I have a 1968 k20 pickup that I recently dropped a 350 in the aft frame mount locations. Behind it is a sm465 4speed. I have everything put together and was missing the clutch rod that went from the bell crank to the clutch fork so I bought one from lmc and it is significantly too short. 4-6 inches too short. Thought about just making my own but curious if anyone else has had this problem and if so what was your fix?

Thanks !

**kwmech** · 08-24-2018, 01:26 AM

Can you post up pictures of the area and mounts, bell crank etc

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 08-24-2018, 01:49 AM

I probably have the longest clutch pushrod in the County. When the OEM one wouldn't throw the clutch back enough, we were too lazy to pull the SM465/NP205 thingie and change out the throwout bearing for a shorter one.
So we went all out.
I bought a '73/'87 Squarebody lower clutch pushrod and spliced them together, with a 3'' section of sawed-off 9mm submachinegun barrel over the weld-joint.
Works.
Long clutch throw.
[3 Finger Borg and Beck pressure plate]
Rig is '71 GMC Jimmy: 350 V8, SM465/NP201, 3.73:1 12 Bolt Corp w/Auburn posi, on 33x12.50x15LTs.
Only drawback is that you need a 2'' ratchet strap to pull back the clutch fork for maintenance on the upper clutch rod at the Z-Bar junction.

A related gripe is the Z-Bar pivot wore a hole in the driverside header collector. AWM, as work intervenes.

**Grumpy old man** · 08-24-2018, 09:11 AM

I dug into my parts bins and here are a couple pics of the different size rods the short one is 9 1/2" and the long one is 13 1/4"

**Grumpy old man** · 08-24-2018, 09:14 AM

bell cranks/mounts

Cbo68 · 08-25-2018, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I dug into my parts bins and here are a couple pics of the different size rods the short one is 9 1/2" and the long one is 13 1/4"

Good info!
I got pulled into working night shift for the next few days I’ll try to get out there and see what I’m working with as far as length and get some pictures of what I have. thanks

**dozerbill72** · 08-25-2018, 09:58 AM

If you got yours from LMC it will be about 9 1/2". I needed one for a 4x4 as well and could not find one. Ended up taking two to make one. They do come up on the parts board from time to time.

08-23-2018, 11:02 PM	#1
Cbo68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Kent Washington Posts: 43	Clutch rod too short I have a 1968 k20 pickup that I recently dropped a 350 in the aft frame mount locations. Behind it is a sm465 4speed. I have everything put together and was missing the clutch rod that went from the bell crank to the clutch fork so I bought one from lmc and it is significantly too short. 4-6 inches too short. Thought about just making my own but curious if anyone else has had this problem and if so what was your fix? Thanks !

08-24-2018, 01:26 AM	#2
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,628	Re: Clutch rod too short Can you post up pictures of the area and mounts, bell crank etc

08-24-2018, 01:49 AM	#3
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,502	Re: Clutch rod too short I probably have the longest clutch pushrod in the County. When the OEM one wouldn't throw the clutch back enough, we were too lazy to pull the SM465/NP205 thingie and change out the throwout bearing for a shorter one. So we went all out. I bought a '73/'87 Squarebody lower clutch pushrod and spliced them together, with a 3'' section of sawed-off 9mm submachinegun barrel over the weld-joint. Works. Long clutch throw. [3 Finger Borg and Beck pressure plate] Rig is '71 GMC Jimmy: 350 V8, SM465/NP201, 3.73:1 12 Bolt Corp w/Auburn posi, on 33x12.50x15LTs. Only drawback is that you need a 2'' ratchet strap to pull back the clutch fork for maintenance on the upper clutch rod at the Z-Bar junction. A related gripe is the Z-Bar pivot wore a hole in the driverside header collector. AWM, as work intervenes. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 08-24-2018 at 01:59 AM.

08-24-2018, 09:11 AM	#4
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Clutch rod too short I dug into my parts bins and here are a couple pics of the different size rods the short one is 9 1/2" and the long one is 13 1/4" Attached Images __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

08-24-2018, 09:14 AM	#5
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Clutch rod too short bell cranks/mounts Attached Images __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

08-25-2018, 09:58 AM	#7
dozerbill72 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Berryville Arkansas Posts: 402	Re: Clutch rod too short If you got yours from LMC it will be about 9 1/2". I needed one for a 4x4 as well and could not find one. Ended up taking two to make one. They do come up on the parts board from time to time.

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