My clutch was acting funny. It would not disengage and was acting wired. On the way back to the house the transmission made a grinding noise and I lost power. I had to work the clutch to get it out of gear. I am thinking my transmission just died on me. Now my question is. Do any of you know a place in northern CA where I can get a 3 on the tree transmission repaired?

My clutch has been acting funny. It would try to move when it was engaged. I have been thinking it’s the clutch. But now I have no power coming out of the transmission. And I was under the impression that when your clutch went out you it you had power but no clutch. Any help or information would be much appreciated

74 Swinger
3 on the tree/ 3 speed manual

I haven't worn a clutch out yet, but I did have one pressure plate go--the clutch would not disengage period. That is one kind of failure, the other being worn out and not engaging fully (high slippage). I drove a Ford truck once, I guess that vintage was known for flex in the clutch linkage--so it would not fully disengage, making shifting very hard.

As for your issue, I'm not sure what it might be. 3 on the tree setups are prone to problems from shifter wear and/or engine/tranny mount problems. With age all of these wear points have some give. If possible, I'd check the level of fluid in the transmission, see if it's brown or black. Maybe drop the driveshaft, feel how the output shaft turns in neutral. But first check for wear in the clutch and shifter linkages, and in the motor mounts. None of this should cause power problems--but if the motor shifted (due to a failed mount), it could throw the carb linkage off, causing apparent power loss.

If the clutch failed to disengage, you would have power, but be 'stuck' in whatever gear you can't get it out of. If the clutch is so worn and it's just slipping badly, you might be able to shift, but when the clutch re-engages, it would feel like you were still stuck in neutral for a while before it actually locks the tranny up with the flywheel (i.e. the revs stay high and it feels like you aren't going anywhere...)

either way, you still will be pulling the tranny to install a new clutch or clutch disk, checking the flywheel for scoring from the worn disc, and or determining whether the tranny is toast (unless you beat on it severely and the synchros are wornout/ have some skipped shifts, mopar manual trannies are pretty hardy, except maybe the A903....)


good luck,

-D.Idiot

I had similar symptoms once when the torque shaft ( Z-bar ) gave way. The arms would tear away from the main tube so that the clutch required ever more pedal to operate until it would no longer operate at all. To permanently repair the issue I welded large washers onto the shaft and arms to reinforce them. Never had another problem after that.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

I pulled the pan from the clutch. I found these little goodies all in it. If you like bigger chunks well they are still up in the clutch. I am thinking its pieces of the pressure plate. Might just explain why I have no power to my wheels

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Yup, that'll do it!

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

Be very grateful that they didn't come loose during a launch or 'power merge' on the interstate, you might have lost some lower body appendages...

Time to pick out a new clutch kit...

-D.Idiot

Anyone know what would make it brake like this? I really don't want this to happen again.

There are no end of ways to wreck a 9" clutch disc.

The most common are......not getting smooth starts (chug chug)

banzaii red line launches

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

How hard is it to upgrade to a bigger clutch? what all do i need?