Posted by powerwagonjohn on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 1:44AM :
In Reply to: Loosen the clutch linkage to allow for wear... posted by chriscase on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 10:55PM :
The problem your having is most likely related to the hydrolic clutch master or slave cyllinder. If these leak you will lose travel in the pedal or it will bleed down and slowly release the clutch. Your problem sounds like the short hose attach to the bottom of the clutch master cyllinder, It may be partially pluged and won't allow the fluid to return to the master. It may also be hard to push down. This is one of the reasons I got into sleeving the cylinders with stainless steel. This will solve the leak down, air leaks and lack of travel problems permentally. The short hose can be made [by a brake shop] or a substite can be foundin a brake master parts book. This can also be a problem with brake hoses and cause erratic or no brakeing. Power Wagons/ WC and M-series Dodges have 4 hoses. I had one go bad on a wheel on my M-37, it would pull to the left on braking, wouldn't lock up one wheel and then would drag the brake shoes for a mile or so and pull to the other side while driving. I wasn't even drinking! Check out my image Event site for more info. on the cylinders and other good stuff or E-mail me for more information. The poly 318 is perfect for your truck and a 4 speed conversion is simple and can always be changed back. You might as well run a NP 435 or even a NP 445 with syncronised gears but you may need a different clutch disk depending on which trans you use. Watch the front retainer, the clutch release bearing slides on for correct lenth and that you have the correct bearing, arm, ect. If you use a NP 435 try and get a mid 60's trans. with the roller bearing main drive gear instead of the later tapered roller. The earler one tends to hold up better, especially when trashing! I hope this helps and good luck. John Keep the white side up!