Clutch grinding issue

[chevyky]

Im having a problem with my 3 speed (on the column) clutch. 216 V6

When i approach a red stop light, i will drop it into neutral and coast into my stop. Then after Ive been stopped and idling for as long as 4-5 seconds and I want to put it into 1st gear, it will grind... and I have 2 options at this point: 1) let it slowly grind until the grinding stops, then pop it into 1st or 2) shift right into 2nd gear and start from 2nd (which is not optimal, but it will get me moving).

This also seems to be the case for reverse as well.

I have zero problems going from 1-2 or 2-3 or even 3-2. But its when i am at a stop from N to 1 or N to R that it grinds.

Also, after the truck has been running for a while it seems to be even worse of a problem. But I only noticed it getting progressively worse driving it today.

What have i tried?
-Easing off the clutch and shifting = no change

Can anyone please help me diagnose the problem? Thanks

[OrrieG]

never mind, brain fart...

[chevyky]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

never mind, brain fart...

OK, so what do you think the issue is if its not: "Sounds like your clutch is not fully disengaging allowing the r-1 gears to keep rotating slightly. I don't believe your 1-r gears have syncros hence the reason the 2-3 cluster is not giving you a problem. Adjust your clutch throw. "

Thanks again

[TwoFiftyShifter]

What if you put it in 2nd then slide down to first? That's how I do it in the '57.....

[mr48chev]

Yes, I would believe that your clutch needs to be adjusted or the idle speed needs to be set at the proper rpm. When you push the clutch pedal how much slack do you have before you feel it start to apply pressure on the pressure plate. There should be about one inch of free play in the pedal. More than that will cause the problem you have because the clutch isn't releasing all the way. Too little free play may cause the clutch to slip.

By the way a 216 would be a "straight six not a V 6 unless the truck has a different engine swapped into it.

[chevyky]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Yes, I would believe that your clutch needs to be adjusted or the idle speed needs to be set at the proper rpm. When you push the clutch pedal how much slack do you have before you feel it start to apply pressure on the pressure plate. There should be about one inch of free play in the pedal. More than that will cause the problem you have because the clutch isn't releasing all the way. Too little free play may cause the clutch to slip.

By the way a 216 would be a "straight six not a V 6 unless the truck has a different engine swapped into it.

Thanks for the post. Im not really sure how to tell how much slack i have before I feel it start to apply pressure on the pressure plate.

[OrrieG]

Looks like you were sitting on the post waiting for a reply!! I think its an adjustment issue but deleted the post because, thinking about it,I thought the gears would not rotate with the truck stopped. But thinking more the idler shaft and gears will turn if the clutch does not fully disengage, causing the grinding. I'd check to make sure everything is tight (no loose brackets, flexing arms, broken return spring, etc.) then work on adjustment. This was one of the reasons new cars and trucks went to hydralic clutchs (besides fitment and alignment issues).

[mr48chev]

The simple way is to take a ruler or tape measure and put it beside the clutch pedal.

Push the pedal down with your hand until you feel a solid resistance.

That should be your free play. It should be just about one inch.

[truckdude239]

if i read your oringal post corectly you put it in neutral and roll to a stop? when you are rolling to a stop to you release the clutch?. then you push the clutch in to start of and it grins going into 1st gear? if this is the case it is because first gear does not have any sycnos . between the time your clutch is engaged at the stop light first gearand the time you press the pedal to disengage the clutch first gear does not have time to spin to a stop hence the grinding

[mr48chev]

Putting the truck in neutral and coasting to a stop (with the brakes) isn't really a good idea anyhow. The normal way to slow down with one of these trucks with a stick trans is to let the engine slow you down.

Truckdude239 is correct in that the truck has to be at a full stop with the engine at a normal idle to slip this trans in low gear. It isn't like newer cars with full syncro transmissions.

[steve53]

another vote for no synchro on 1st gear. when you come to a stop shift into 2nd then into 1st and it wont grind.