on my old 97' I had a 3600lb. DD SBC, well it got to where it wouldn't go in & out of gear so today I picked up an upgraded master/slave cylinder for it, it was supposed to be from south bend, but it's a one piece design instead of two??? figured maybe it was an older style from the new ones? & when I tried to put the new master/slave kit on the clutch rod was way too long even adjusted all the way down? so I pulled the rod from the old one & installed it on the new one & the truck still won't go in & out of gear?, you can put it in gear & start it & it kind of lurches forward?? I still get plenty of floater plate rattle with the clutch pushed in, & it settles down when you let it out, so I don't think the floater has broken the ears off or anything, could I possibly have a disk stuck to the floater or something???? I sent Peter a message, but haven't heard back yet & was kind of needing to know where to go from here, it still acts alot like the slave cylinder is bad, just a real mushy feeling pedal when it gets close to the floor???? any ideas???? thanks, Dusty

 

I might wanna add that the 97' had a 6spd. conversion, forgot to mention that , figured it may make a difference??????? Dusty

 

Have you tried a longer rod??? I have made them out of grade 8 bolts...

 

Well obviously this is a disengagement issue.

But what is causing the issue is what you need to know.
It could be a number of things:

You wont break the sbc floater like other brands.

It could be a hydraulic issue. It can also be that a one of the fingers that releases the clutch has broken or collapsed.
Another possibility is that you have a build up of material on the flywheel face that is keeping the first clutch disc from completely releasing (and thus causing your issue).

My bet is on the last thing I mentioned.

 

I would try the other rod unless you are sure it will not fix.
If thats not the case then the only thing I can think of is a broken finger. How long have you had the clutch? I know a few of the older clutches had a problem with breaking the fingers due to a problem with the metal but None of the clutches that I have sold so far have had this problem.
DM01

 

I've had the clutch in for about 6 months & probably a total of maybe 20,000 miles on it (bought it used from a friend of mine) when you mention the longer rod, are you talking about the rod in the slave???? that actually pushes on the lever in the bell housing??? I thought about this myself, may take the new one out & compare to the old rod? & if I had a disk stuck to the floater would I still get alot of rattle with the clutch pedal mashed in???? I thought I read somewhere that if that was to happen that the floater rattle wouldn't be as bad??? I may go try another rod, or at least look at the difference, & is there any good way of breaking a disk loose from the floater w/out pulling the tranny??? I tried slipping it out real hard yesterday, in hopes of freeing it up if there was a disk stuck, but it didn't seem to help anything, thanks for the replies & keep 'em comin, Dusty

 

The master rod is the one that makes the difference. Changing the slave rod does make a difference since it is self adjusting.

I had the disk/flywheel sticking problem about a year or so ago.
Driving around town caused a build up on the then steel flywheel face.
Having the inserted flywheel is supposed to cure this issue.

Is yours inserted?

The clutch ended having to be repaired since several of the pucks were damaged from the build up on the flywheel face.

 

the flywheel is inserted on this clutch, & the master rod is adjustable, but the dang thing is too long, it wouldn't even hook up??????? I'm gonna try & get in touch with Peter in a bit & see if he can steer me in the right direction???? thanks again, Dusty

 

I would put my money on a broken finger, mine did it last summer