got my motor running car won't go in gear

[cwhit23]

Okay, some of you know I've been building putting my car back together with a built motor. Well the day finally came, I got it primed up, leak checked, everything good to go. She fired up and after the normal lash adjuster chatter settled in a couple minutes and the smoke cleared she purred like a kitten. Smooth as could be and I was stoked!

Well here comes the fun part! The car is off the ground on jack stands, so I was in it and thought I'd see if it will pull .. I can't get it in gear clutch in and out, no go.

what could I have missed? The clutch is not new. I used my old clutch and only replaced the flywheel because I had to go to an 8 bolt with the eagle crank over the factory 6 bolt. Is there any reason I would have to bleed the clutch since it isn't new? Only other thing I can thing of is the throw out bearing got messed up or the slave cylinder is bad. But transmission and clutch was flawless before the motor blew the first time.

Any suggestions? I guess if nothing is obvious I'm going to be dropping the transmission and seeing whats messed up

edit: it's got plenty of brake fluid, but I did not check to see if it was on the max level though from eyeballing it looked to be full- I will double check tommorrow..

Also, it has a pedal, it's not like there isn't pressure the clutch has resistance when pushing it in, if that makes a difference.

 

[michael.konor]

Will the car go into gear if the engine is off? Can you shift through the pattern?

 

[cwhit23]

yep^

 

[JeremyH]

Check the shifter linkage alignment. Had the same issue when I was getting my car running again after sitting for 6 months.

 

[marcspaz]

The clutch is in backwards. You have to drop the trans and switch it. The disk is marked which is the front and which is the back.

 

[cwhit23]

Check the shifter linkage alignment. Had the same issue when I was getting my car running again after sitting for 6 months.

The car has sit about 7 months I'll be sure to check

The clutch is in backwards. You have to drop the trans and switch it. The disk is mark which is the front and which is the back.

I am almost positive it is in the right way, but I won't rule this out if
everything else checks out.

 

[marcspaz]

I am almost positive it is in the right way, but I won't rule this out if
everything else checks out.

Yea, I know the symptoms fairly well. I did that twice with my 2007. You think I would have remembered from the first time. LOL

If it is a SPEC, they are easy enough to see if you have a bore scope. You can pop the starter out and spin the flywheel to check first. Lot easier to drop the started that the whole trans.

 

[cwhit23]

^ I can force the car in gear and the wheels spin- Would that still be symptomatic of it?
Thanks for the tip on the starter and the bore scope, that makes more sense to try and see that way first.

just trying to round up ideas here . it's like the clutch is staying engaged.. maybe you're right

 

[marcspaz]

^ I can force the car in gear and the wheels spin- Would that still be symptomatic of it?
Thanks for the tip on the starter and the bore scope, that makes more sense to try and see that way first.

Yes, that is also a symptom as well. When you step on the clutch, the pressure plate can't disengage enough.

 

[JeremyH]

Yeah my clutch disc rusted in place to the flywheel as well

See post 185 or so on

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91238&page=10


I ended up speeding up to like 60mph on jack stands and then yanking the ebrake after a few times the clutch quit dragging.

 

[marcspaz]

Wow... that sucks. Did you change it or just keep driving it?

 

[michael.konor]

Is the bell housing flush against the engine? Install the block plate?

 

[cwhit23]

^ yep. everything is how it should be

I haven't worked on the car today, I've been too lazy to tear it apart. So I may work on it through the week to next weekend.

 

[zquez]

I had this problem and I had a frozen pilot bearing. I think I may have damage it during install but sure enough that's what it was. PITA Does the car creep like an auto?

 

[cwhit23]

I haven't had it on the ground. It's still on jack stands I figured it wasn't worth setting it down since I know I'm going to have to more than likely pull the trans out..

 

[cwhit23]

I have a RAM 1545 Flywheel anyone know if that could be the issue with the stock clutch? I had one member PM me about some issues wondering if anyone can further this notion

 

[marcspaz]

Sorry... no personal experience on that one.

 

[cwhit23]

I think I need a shim, anyone have experience with this? I am confused on what I may need

 

[BruceH]

I think I need a shim, anyone have experience with this? I am confused on what I may need

Send a pm to gil_t2. He does clutch swaps for a living and is familiar with the measurements.

 

[cwhit23]

^ Thanks I'll shoot him a pm and see what he has to say