Transmission / Overdrive: Chattering clutch and grinding gears

[roadster dave]

My friend Warren has a 1951 Champion he just got back from a mechanic that re/installed his engine put in an electric fuel pump and other work. Now the clutch chatters really bad and grinds or won't go into 1st gear. Evan chatters going into 2nd. Mechanic does restorations etc. but alluded that some old cars just do that. Horse pucky! I told Warren things were really out of adjustment, have him fix them or he would not have a trans. for long. Frankly, I'm sick of seeing Warren paying out for unacceptable work. What things can he tell mechanic that will fix this problem? Roadster Dave

[Son O Lark]

Check transmission oil level. Check shifter linkage adjustment. Adjust clutch free pedal travel to 1" . First gear is not syncronized and you have to be damn near stopped to engage.

[gordr]

Bad motor mounts can cause clutch chatter. And a clutch that fails to release fully will cause grinding when one attempts to engage a gear. Some models have had an issue with the throwout bearing forks rotating on the cross-shaft. Generally not on six-cylinder cars, though.

[RadioRoy]

See if one of the pins or the collars in the clutch linkage is cracked. That will cause the clutch to not release fully and will cause the symptoms you describe.

Also, get a new mechanic.

[StudeRich]

It is possible the the Clutch Housing Dialed-in Fit to the Engine was disturbed. Now the Trans. is misaligned to the Crank centerline.

The Alignment Dowel Bolts were improperly installed or Not at all.

[altair]

It is possible the the Clutch Housing Dialed-in Fit to the Engine was disturbed. Now the Trans. is misaligned to the Crank centerline.

The Alignment Dowel Bolts were improperly installed or Not at all.

Richard I agree with everything you say but how can you "improperly install" the pins? Maybe not at all or only one pin.

[Jeffry Cassel]

It is not adjusted properly. The clutch is not fully disengaging so that, even with the pedal depressed, the gears are still turning in the transmission, hence grinding. Sometimes the clutch will chatter if you re-install the old one backwards. The 'mechanic' sounds like a complete doofus so that is my bet. I'm not that fond of pulling transmissions so if I had to remove one I'd put in a new disc and probably a throw-out bearing. The flywheel and the pressure plate can get grooved and glazed on 70 yrs and that will certainly make it chatter. You really can't mess up the dowel pins--but doofus could have easily have lost them!

[Topper2011]

Clutch chatter could also be caused by contamination of the clutch disc. If the "mechanic" had his greasy fingers all over the flywheel, disc and cover, it can cause your problem.

[StudeRich]

Richard I agree with everything you say but how can you "improperly install" the pins? Maybe not at all or only one pin.

I am guessing that these May be the Eccentric Type Dowel BOLTS, used on some 6 Cyl. Studes. not just Dowels as on a V8.

[roadster dave]

Thank you to you all. Warren is sending car to another, older mechanic who recognizes all the problems listed and should know how to fix it right. He is also getting a list of what you all said to help. Thanks, Roadster Dave

[altair]

I have two 6 cylinder engines and both have the round dowels I am not familiar with eccentric bolts, What years and models were they used on. Were they factory or after market?

[tootie]

Also ........pilot bushing bad or missing or damaged...............also a BENT disc can cause non release and chatter ........alot of other good answers on this site ,

[Jeffry Cassel]

Roadster Dave: Give us feedback on what he finds the problem to be. Be nice to know how far off we were!!