[lalojamesliz]

Hey guys, I tried asking on a different forum but no luck on a fix.
If I'm at a stop light in neutral and try to put in in first it's hard to do that. I have to use some force. If I'm driving slowly and downshift into 1st sometimes it will go in fine but not always.

With 4th gear it also requires a bit of force to put in gear wipe driving but not always.
The truck has 160k miles and I just got it dlso I don't know anything about it really.

I bought a Lce short shifter kit since it included a shifter bushing and the small cup on the end of the shifter. It's made for a 88+ but since the bolt pattern on the spacer is the same I wanted to try it.
I installed the kit with the included white seat bushing but I could not put it in any gear so I ordered a red bushing and I could only put it in 1st, 3rd and 5th. I re-installed the original worn seat bushing and I can put it back in any gear but still have the 1st and 4th gear problem.

I've installed a new slave cylinder and my clutch master cylinder kept the clutch pedal rock hard when I pinched the rubber clutch hose by the slave cylinder. I've even messed with the length on clutch rod that connects to the clutch pedal.

The clutch bracket does not have any cracks BTW. I think it's the original clutch.
So what do you guys think It can be?

I don't want to put more cash into this truck if the Trans is going out

 

[fourwd1]

160k on a clutch is a lot of miles.

I'd start by draining the transmission and refilling.
Check the old oil for metal particles, that can tell you a little about its condition.
Make sure to loosen the Fill plug before you drain it.

 

[Protech]

I agree with fourwd1, and I would suggest replacing the oil with the appropriate Amsoil. I have had amazing results by using it. I had a trans with about 150K on it that was used (but not abused) under unbelievably extreme severe conditions that crunched into 2nd and 3rd. Drained and filled with Amsoil and the trans shifted like new. We eventually overhauled it the first time at 250K!

For your first gear problem, you may well have a clutch that is dragging. Try this: when you stop, turn off the engine and see if it slips right into first. Then, with it still in first, start the truck and pay attention to how high the clutch pedal comes before the truck starts to move. If it goes into gear easily and the pedal doesn't move much before engaging, your pressure plate is likely failing causing the clutch to drag. From the sounds of it, your 1st gear synchro is also worn some, but that is to be expected at that age. If you replace the clutch, make sure you replace the pilot bearing also, because that can mimmick a bad clutch.

Since you don't mention a problem with 2, 3 or 5, your 4th gear problem is likely a worn 4th synchro, but could also be bearings that are causing a slight misalignment. Do you have any noises in the trans? If so, which gears, exactly?

Hit us back, and we'll go from there.

 

[lalojamesliz]

Sorry guys, I forgot to check back. I've been really busy changing out the timing chain and working on the head since the HG was blown. I found the out HG was blown on cylinder 4 when I did a leak down test and my cylinder 3 exh valve was leaking bad. I had the head resurfaced, new oem HG, bought new head bolts, new water pump, new timing cover, engnbldr metal guide timing kit and I'm doing my own valve job.

I already replaced the Trans fluid with redline mt90 and that didn't do anything noticeable.
The problem is only with 1st and 4th. No noises from anything..

So you guys think it can be my clutch? I know it's a lot of miles but I've never had a car that needed a clutch replaced. This is my 2nd stick shift car out of the 10 cars I've bought/had.
I didn't want to replace the clutch and have the Trans going out soon. Should I try replacing just the throwout bearing?
What's a decent low cost clutch guys?
I really wish I would have checked back sooner

 

[Protech]

If I'm at a stop light in neutral and try to put in in first it's hard to do that. I have to use some force. If I'm driving slowly and downshift into 1st sometimes it will go in fine but not always. (

Can't know positively, but this description is classic pressure plate failure, but a failed pilot bearing can cause the same symptom. If the rest of the truck is OK, it's worth the cost of the clutch.

Did you try the trick of cutting off the engine that I mentioned?

 

[lalojamesliz]

I can't start my truck right now. It's just has a short block imstalled. I'm in the middle of a timing chain job with the head removed and I'm able to re-install my crossmember
I only have a bolt in on each side because the other bolt holes don't line up