Trans shifter shaking badly during takeoff

[Halfmoon]

I just bought an 84 CJ7 . The AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l has a cam and headers, not sure how much stringer it is than stock but definitely a little more torque. Transmission was swapped for a T-18 from a CJ5 .

When I'm letting the clutch out staring out in fist or second the shifter shakes around like crazy (everything rattles). Once the clutch is fully out its no problem. What do I need to check? This doesn't seem normal.

 

[BusaDave9]

It could be bad engine mounts. The TCase and sifters would move with the engine. It could also be just loose shifters.
Here's how you tell the difference. When the jeep is just sitting still, can you wiggle the shift levers? If so they are loose. If not it's engine mounts.
Does the Transmission shifter move?

 

[Hedgehog]

My hat is in the ring for throw out bearing or burned clutch. The throw out bearing can be felt through the clutch pedal too.

 

[Halfmoon]

The clutch and motor were swapped 5 years ago but have less than 4,000 miles on them. It's a competition clutch (that's what PO said). I'm a newbie so what should I do to verify the problem? I know nothing about the throw out bearing. There doesn't seem to be much leaking anywhere that I can tell--after owning it for only one day!

 

[Hedgehog]

It's all clutch stuff. Push clutch peddle, the linkage pushes the clutch fork, the fork holds the throw out bearing, the bearing spins when it hits the clutch fingers, the clutch fingers push in which pulls back on the pressure plate, the pressure plate is the interconnection between Transmission and the flywheel, the flywheel is attached to the crankshaft...........

Clutches don't last long if they are abused. Throw out bearings can last what seems like forever or if adjusted incorrectly will last a very short period of time.

 

[OldC7]

It could also be the pilot bearing. Mine was bad in my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . Had vibrations through everything when pulling out.

 

[jdarg]

Where in the pedal travel does the clutch grab?

Without seeing it, it sounds like a contaminated clutch disc or bent/worn pressure plate to me.

 

[GatorBate]

Before you go diving into your clutch i would check your motor mounts and pay close attention to the rear mount under the transfer case. Although what everyone has said about clutches is true I have found that most of the time its a broken mount that makes the shifter shake when starting out.

 

[wm69]

Yep, I put poly motor and Transmission mounts in one of my Jeeps and EVERY vibration is increased 100x's. I'll be going back to rubber when I do my T-5 to T-176 swap. Check the easy stuff first; motor and Transmission mounts.

 

[jdarg]

the shifter shakes around like crazy (everything rattles)

Is it just the shifter or the whole jeep shaking? I assumed by "everything" you meant the whole Jeep is vibrating?

What tires/gearing do you have? Big tires without proper gearing will also make things tend to vibrate more on take-off.