I think I have a transmission/clutch problem

[Mick]

Ok... Brace yourselves for a long story...

I bought a 74 CJ5 a couple months ago with a T-15 3 speed and 304V8. When I was bringing it home, just before I got home it was hard to get in to gear. The gears would grind with the clutch pushed all the way in. I found that the linkage at the clutch lever had slipped out of the little ball socket. I tightened that linkage by extending the threaded piece so that it would not slip out of the socket again.

Fast forward to yesterday. I have performed a lot of work on my Jeep in the last couple of months. I was pulling out of the garage to park it outside because I had work to do on my Blazer and I needed the garage space. I live on a steep inclined hill, grade is approximately 6%. When I pulled the Jeep out on the hill, it the engine would die. I had to end up revving the engine up really high in order to get the Jeep to move up the hill without the engine dieing.

To me, it acted like the engine was not transferring enough power to the Transmission to move the Jeep and in turn was bogging the engine down and causing it to die. Also, when I revved the engine up to a high rpm, while letting the clutch out, there was a high pitched screeching sound, kind of sounded like belt squeal.

Did my adjusting of the clutch linkage cause the clutch to be partially engaged even with the clutch pedal fully released? In your opinion, do I have a weak fuel pump or possibly a not properly tuned carburetor? I am leaning more towards the clutch/Transmission /engine theory because before I bought the Jeep, the fuel pump, carb, and intake had all been replaced.

Sorry for the long winded post, but I am really looking for some expert advice here.

Thank you.

 

[Petescj]

Two different things come to mind from what you explained. Being on that grade and having the engine die like you say could be carb related. Cj carbs are notorious for steep grade problems. That said how does your clutch react when you let it out? The screaching sounds like a glazed/ bad clutch or bad throw out bearing. Mine was oil soaked do to the rear main seal leaking. This one will take a little more detailed info to figure out.

 

[Mick]

How do I go about testing a possible carb problem? Keep in mind that the carb is an aftermarket setup. It is an Edelbrock along with the new intake.

Concerning the clutch, can I remove the inspection plate to gain access to the clutch to see its condition? Or do I have to pull the Transmission in order to see it?

 

[hagar]

Pilot bushing noise would be my guess.
Did the Jeep handle the 6% grade okay previously?
or is this new?
6% grade with big tires and 3.73s isn't exactly a hill climbing set-up from the start.....

 

[Mick]

Hagar: To answer your question concerning the 6% grade, I cannot say that it handled it before. When I brought the Jeep home, it is downhill to my house. Since then, it has been in my garage while I have been getting it road worthy (new front, alignment, getting speedo working, gauges working, etc.). This was the first time I tried to take it from a dead stop up the grade.

I see what you are saying about the big tires, etc. The Jeep has 33's on it with a 4 inch lift. I know the front axle has been changed from original because the front brakes are disc brakes. But, I do not know what the gear ratio is. This is something I have not checked yet, but it is on my list.

 

[Petescj]

hmm sounds like someone may have swapped in some wide track axles. You could have some incredibly poopie ratios if they left them stock. Either 2.72 or 3.31. Niether are good for your 33s. This may be helpful.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/how-determine-your-gear-ratio-10217/

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Loosen the adjuster up some.. you may have over tightened the adjuster causing your clutch to be partially engaged.. I dont think it would cause a stalling problem but more of a power loss problem. I work at a dealer ship and may have smoked a clutch or two.. they smell bad when it happens but will definately squeal, squeak and chatter..