Hi Guys!
Need some thoughts on this one:
I'm looking at a 55 Chevy truck that has sat in a garage 6 years.Its a 6 stick. It was parked in 2001 and left in neutral. I got it running however when I push the clutch in and try to put it in gear it will not go into gear. It only grinds like you were not even putting in the clutch. What do you think is wrong? I can't even get it out of the guys garage to take it for a spin. What should I check?? Any help is much appreciated!
Thank-you.
John
Chevysrit

Check the clutch linkage underneath to make sure it is engaging properly and giving you full clutch travel. It was probably parked for a reason, make sure brakes and steering are safe to drive.

Brett,
You don't think the clutch pressure plate and throw-out bearing are so rusted up or frozen that it won't move do you?

Brett,
You don't think the clutch pressure plate and throw-out bearing are so rusted up or frozen that it won't move do you?

I really dont know. Arent those old original trans have 1st gear as granny gear? Maybe its an un-synchronized trans?

If it were working before I would think it would still work, at least ok. Maybe the clutch disk is stuck to the flywheel? :confused: Can you get it in gear without the engine running? Maybe give the car a push to free things up? Again, I really have no clue, more just throwing ideas out. I'm sure someone will come up with a logical answer tomorrow.

I would say that the clutch disk was stuck to the flywheel. I have had this problem also. Try and put the truck in high gear, hold the clutch pedal down, put your foot on the brake and hit the starter. If it has a floor starter and you can't hold the brakes make sure that if it starts NOTHING is in the way. If this doesn't work you will need to pull the cover off of the bellhousing, have someone hold the clutch pedal down WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING and using a screwdriver you may be able to gently pry the disk loose, it will probably come loose easily. I am not sure if I would test drive a truck after sitting for six years without checking the brakes first. Wheel cylinders may be seized and the truck may not stop.

I agree with Paul,disc is stuck to the flywheel form sitting.In high humidity areas where I live we have this problem with old farm tractors all the time.A lot of them we block the clutch pedal down while not using.Disc actually rusts to the flywheel.Some will come apart with a little nudging,some we have to split the tractor because of a 360 bellhousing.There should be a big opening on a 55 bell,loosen the pressure plate bolts and get a screwdriver between the disc and the flywheel and pop it loose.

Paul is probably right on the money. I have experienced this many times over the years. The last was on a Honda 750 four motorcycle that had sat for 10 years.:)

i experienced this in a 78 mgb and the clutch needed to be bleed, im not sure if its the same system but you could try that.

John,
My 73 Z-28 used to do that even if it sat for a couple of months. The clutch would rust to the flywheel. If you can get it out on an open road, get the engine good and warmed up so it will start easily, then shut it off. Put it in forst gear then start the car ... once it starts moving push in the clutch and slam on the brakes. That used to break mine loose every time. If you can shift into second before you hit the brakes it works even better. Only other choice is to pull the trans and free things up.

i experienced this in a 78 mgb and the clutch needed to be bleed, im not sure if its the same system but you could try that.

55 Chevys were mechanical linkage,not hydraulic.