Difficulty Getting Into Gear in '66 Chevy

Synchros shot? Weird noises while shifting? Not sure what needs to be replaced?
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Heidi
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Difficulty Getting Into Gear in '66 Chevy

Post by Heidi »

I've been driving my estranged husband's '66 Chevy Stepsider truck. I learned how to drive on a stick and felt utterly confident driving one until this truck, which took me forever to learn; it's got a super tight clutch and is very touchy. Also, because the seat doesn't move up, I have to pull myself forward on the steering wheel in order to reach to the floorboards to put the clutch in all the way. But over the last couple of weeks I've really felt like I've got it, and have been quite comfortable driving the truck.

Tonight, all of the sudden, I had enormous trouble getting the truck into gear. This is a farm truck, geared really low, and you really don't use first at all unless you're hauling or need traction. In the city I always start in 2nd. Tonight I had to push down on the gearshift with both hands to get it into 2nd gear. I tried double-clutching, but that didn't help. It felt like I didn't have the clutch in all the way, but I am certain that I did.

Getting it into reverse was even worse. Pushing it into gear made the most awful grinding sound even though the clutch was certainly pushed all the way in and I had started from neutral. It got worse throughout the evening (although I only tried reverse a couple of times, parking twice and turning around once). By the end of the night I simply couldn't get it into reverse at all.

My husband thinks this is my fault somehow, especially because when I first started driving it I was scared of the truck and had trouble with the clutch. I just drove it two days ago and didn't have any of this trouble.

This truck had a new clutch 3 months ago. What could be the trouble? I am not going to do any of the work myself, but want to know whether the shop that replaced the clutch before could be at fault, and also whether this could be my fault.

Thank you!
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theholycow
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Re: Difficulty Getting Into Gear in '66 Chevy

Post by theholycow »

I'm sorry I can't answer the technical question. It sounds broken and I'd say you should take it to a different shop to find out if it's likely your fault or not. The shop you took it to before would not be impartial.

However, if you're trying to reconcile with your estranged husband and trying to work on your marriage by doing things together like driving that truck, don't let this obstacle come between you. A problem like this can often focus and amplify the hard feelings. Apologize, explain why you believe it's not your fault, and remind him that it's just a possession and that it will be repaired easily by a mechanic.

I apologize for taking this thread off topic but it sounds like that's what you may really need.
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Re: Difficulty Getting Into Gear in '66 Chevy

Post by LHOswald »

sounds like the clutch isn't disengaging all the way because the hydraulics are shot.
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theholycow
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Re: Difficulty Getting Into Gear in '66 Chevy

Post by theholycow »

Would a 1966 Chevy pickup have a hydraulic clutch?

My magic 8-ball says no, but it's no expert.
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Re: Difficulty Getting Into Gear in '66 Chevy

Post by LHOswald »

cables stretched then. jeez what an ass!
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Re: Difficulty Getting Into Gear in '66 Chevy

Post by LHOswald »

LHOswald wrote:stretched[...]ass!
no homo
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theholycow
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Re: Difficulty Getting Into Gear in '66 Chevy

Post by theholycow »

LHOswald wrote:
LHOswald wrote:stretched[...]ass!
no homo
Goatse.
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Re: Difficulty Getting Into Gear in '66 Chevy

Post by comingbackdown »

LHOswald wrote:cables stretched
^ This. Or coming loose. +1 to THC's remarks
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