ah crap... clutch trouble

[aquaelvis]

You guys ready for a dumb question? Hope so...
I have noticed the clutch in the 72 slipping a lot. It has been getting worse. (I don't drive it much... just to the store and back, etc)
Today it was slipping but still driving OK. Then as I pushed in the clutch to shift into 3rd... BOOM! Pedal hits the floor and I got nothing.
I coasted for a while and was able to throw it into 2nd to get it home.
The pedal is free floating now, just the spring on the arm itself giving it any life.

So... what did I do? I assume I snapped the cable? (to be honest I know nothing about this set up) If it is just something broken, why has it been slipping? (1 or 2 problems or unrelated issues?)

Timing is not great. I did not want to be doing this now, was trying to figure out the trans swap before dealing with repairs. I'd still rather have an automatic in it. (still not sure which one, leaning towards a turbo 350 just because it seems the easiest)

Info on my rig- 72 w/ mild 350 and a 4 speed.

Any help?

 

[bp71k5]

Broken cable should be easy to diagnose. Just look underneath and it's up in the frame on the drivers side. There will be a metal clutch fork arm sticking out of the bellhousing. The cable should move the fork.

 

[TheBigDogg]

samething happend to mine, i replaced the whole clutch assy, and it did the samething, check you bellcrank (looks like a Z)it is mounted to the frame and eng block, mine broke the weld, but if you need help diagnosing it, I can help

 

[TheBigDogg]

sent you a PM

 

[tRustyK5]

Sounds like it was out of adjustmant possibly due to a broken or breaking part of the mechanical linkage...then the linkage finally broke. I'd venture that if you can diagnose and fix the linkage your clutch should be OK again.

Rene

 

[aquaelvis]

I checked it out a little today and found that the linkage is broken. Looks like there was a stud of some kind that snapped off.
The first pics shows the most but it is not clear. (look past the hoses that are in focus and you'll see the linkage)

 

[tRustyK5]

I'm not sure how similar that generation is to the later mechanical linkage, but I had the same issues with my K5 right before the pivot stud/ball sheared off the side of my bellhousing. I happened to have some tools with me, and a 1/2" bolt that was near enough to the right length. I unthreaded the busted stud/ball and threaded in the bolt and the Z bar then pivoted on the hex head of the bolt. It got me home...come to think of it i think I never did replace that stud/ball thing.

My guess is your part that broke was preventing the clutch from engaging completely, pedal was probably a little lower than normal, and then it broke completely.

Rene

 

[TheBigDogg]

looks like an easy fix dude, sorry i didnt come by today, was kinda busy with my daughter

 

[aquaelvis]

sorry i didnt come by today, was kinda busy with my daughter

No worries, I was pretty busy all day with my daughter's b-day party.
I had some time to mess with it today. (gotta work later)
I pulled out the shaft and now need to repair/replace it. (anyone know what this is called) It goes from the top of the pedal linkage, through the firewall and screws into the linkage that is bolted to the motor/trans.
The part that is under the dash and attaches to the pedal is worn pretty well. (odd?)
See pics of the worn end with the cotter pin hole and the other end with the snapped off thread.
Should I fix or replace this? Anyone have one?

 

[TheBigDogg]

I go to work at 3:30 m-f if you want I was thinking about going to the wreaking yards tomorrow, I will look and see if I find that part

 

[tRustyK5]

LMC has that part for about $16

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=136

Item 6 I believe...

Rene