3000 gas single stage clutch travel question

gears · Sep 16, 2019

Can anyone out there tell me how far a single stage clutch release lever moves on a properly working clutch? I've got a 68 gasser 3400 with the 8speed trans and this spring the clutch stuck. I never kept it blocked down and never had an issue (have had it for several years now, it was a full engine rebuild an the old clutch looked fine) now it seems like it sticks every time (only use it every few weeks) and it's blocked every time I park it. Pedal moves full travel but it seems like it's the final 1/2" of travel where it disengages.

The release lever shaft only looks to swing through 15-20* of travel.

I found the cotterpin was stuck and when I freed it up some black oily water trickled out.... Guess that's why it never dried out and stopped sticking.

Ideas / suggestions?

Hobo,NC · Sep 16, 2019

Sounds like you have a oil soaked clutch disc...

The pattern of a oil soaked disc is it takes awhile for it to release once you press the clutch all the way down while trying to stop the tractor you may have to apply the brakes to load up the clutch so it will free up.. The oil acts like glue and sticks the disc to the flywheel...

My guess total movement of the release bearing 3/8" once applied to the clutch fingers... Not a guess the disc need .050 of clearance total between the flywheel and pressure plate to release...

It likes a dry environment oil makes it tacky...

gears · Sep 17, 2019

Thanks Hobo, that seems fixable without separating the tractor. The black residue that came out of the cotterpin hole was more water than oil but it was black and enough to drip down my arm but not make a puddle.

Maybe I'll drill an access hole for spraying it down and get a good rinse in there.

gears · Sep 30, 2019

Posting my own followup for future searches.

I managed to get my clutch working great - No holes needed.

Took the rod off and adjusted pedal play to it's maximum (took about 15 turns of the turnbuckle & re-attached).

I sprayed degreaser into the timing hole on the front of the bellhousing, let it soak (it was slowly dripping out of the cotter pin hole), started it in neutral, choked it until it stumbled enough to pop into gear. Drove it into a tree (eased the bucket against a big maple), blocked the clutch down with it in gear, let it idle while spraying more degreaser into the bellhousing, finished up with brake cleaner to dry things out in there. Went and moved some dirt with it - been working fine ever since.

3000 gas single stage clutch travel question

gears

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Hobo,NC

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