What's up with my clutch?

[Jon]

When I did my trans swap I got a new clutch kit, pressure plate, slave cylinder and line to the USED master cylinder.

Problem is: First thing in the morning the trans will not go into gear. I get it in first by shutting down, shift into first and restart. Once moving it's almost clutchless shifting, just matching RPM. It gets better along the 30min drive to work. But only about after 20min is it back to normal. Then it's fine for the duration of my drive.

Lunch time and it's difficult to get in gear but manageable. Once again gets better with more driving.

Pressure on the pedal seems normal.

No leaks.

Once in gear, even right after the "1st gear engaged start" if I depress the clutch pedal the truck will stop pulling. Which leads me to believe the clutch and all components are working.

I've bled it before with no fix.

Is it simply a master cylinder or something more intense like synchros going bad?

I had all intent of rebuilding the transmission after the swap. Just haven't done so yet.

 

[Ziptied]

Definitely sounds like a synchro issue.

 

[Riceye]

Did you replace the flywheel pilot bearing and use an alignment tool to locate disc and pressure plate?

Sounds like drag on trans input shaft from flywheel.

 

[Jon]

Yes, I know how to install a clutch. But something that leads me to master cylinder is this morning when pulling quite hard at 2nd gear from a dead stop in my driveway, I started moving forward. Which tells me the input shaft is spinning with the clutch depressed. So there's still contact. Now, 30min later and its fine.

Got a new master coming from Oreilly for $43. Let you know if that's the fix.

 

[Riceye]

It was not my intent to insult you, Jon. The symptoms that you offered point toward the drag between the pilot bearing and trans input shaft. The difference you cited after running for a while could be attributed to all of the components (shaft, bearing, flywheel) coming up to operating temperature.

My apologies if you took my comment another way...

 

[BlackCat914]

Definitely sounds like a synchro issue.

highly unlikely.

 

[Jon]

It was not my intent to insult you, Jon. The symptoms that you offered point toward the drag between the pilot bearing and trans input shaft. The difference you cited after running for a while could be attributed to all of the components (shaft, bearing, flywheel) coming up to operating temperature.

My apologies if you took my comment another way...

None taken man! Were not a$$holes here. All input is welcome.


I got the old master out and took it apart real quick to inspect it. The front seal was completely trashed. It has an entire notch missing out of it. Guess the rear seal was doing all the work? There was evidence of seal deterioration in the fluid which was dark and there was a coat of black film on the reservoir.

New one is in and holy crap. This thing has been bad since day one! The pedal acts perfectly now. I've got to say I'm sure those synchros are good considering I was able to drive clutchless to work and back today. $43 for a seal and a lifetime warranty....not bad. Couldn't get the rebuild kit for a couple days and I was sick of trucker shifting!