Clutch fork install

[wpavlis]

I just recently dropped a rebuilt 350 into my 68 c10 with 3OTT. I am having trouble getting the clutch fork to snap onto the ball. I searched some threads and verified i have the clip in correctly. People mention hitting the fork with a hammer. How would i do that? Hit the part where the clutch pedal pushes on the fork? Seems like that could damage the clutch fingers. Thanks for the help.

Bill

[mongocanfly]

it shouldn't take much to make it snap into place...put rearward pressure on the outer end clutch arm so it starts engaging the throwout bearing... a quick tap.blow.hit or whatever you choose with a deadblow ,as close to the bellhousing as possible, should make it snap in

[wpavlis]

I tried this last night and couldn't get it. Honestly i can't even get the throwout bearing in. I will take the fork back out today and maybe i can get it in there with the bearing on it. Its a brand new clip, fork, and ball so maybe one of them was made slightly wrong. Maybe i have the clip in wrong.

[geezer#99]

What style of clip, fork and ball do you have?
Pics or a link to one helps.

[mongocanfly]

is the trans and bellhousing disassembled? if so it should be somewhat easy to install...I was thinking you already had engine and trans installed..like geezer said show us some pics

[wpavlis]

So the engine and bell housing are actually installed in the truck. Below are some pics. Looking at it this morning the clip doesn't look quite right to me. I think this clip actually came with the new fork. I still have the original one. I may try that next. Thoughts?

[mongocanfly]

try the original one....or at least compare the 2 of em

[geezer#99]

Only way to easily pop it on the ball is to remove the bellhousing.
Then you can tap it on with a hammer.
Put more grease on the ball too.

[wpavlis]

I put the original clip in and it worked fine. Apparently the clip i got from LMC was not the right shape. Thanks for the help everyone.

[SunSoaked]

90% of the things I "USED" to get from LMC was cheap, Chinese junk. No surprise there.

[wpavlis]

Yeah. Its hit and miss. I find that rubber parts seem to always work fine. I haven't actually tried weather seals, but bumpers for suspension components have been good. The rubber boot for this clutch fork fit great. IIRC I ordered the clip with the boot and the new pivot ball. I really only ordered it because it was cheap. Not really anything wrong with the old one. Oh well. Now if i can just get the transmission in maybe i can get this old girl back on the road.

[dracko]

That’s the right clip. I just went through the same problem with mine. You need to have the bellhousing off the engine and bolted to the trans.. Install throwout bearing, slide fork into groove in bearing, and pound the fork onto the ball. I used a brass drift and had to hit harder than I thought would be necessary.

Once the fork is on the throwout bearing and on the pivot ball it’s actually impossible to fall off, especially once the clutch is hooked up and pressing on the fork. I had one shop tell me you don’t even need the clip, but I used one to be safe.