Muncie 4 speed question

[AZsplit]

Hey guys got a couple questions about my 4 speed.

1970 camaro
350 / 4 speed

This is the 1st 4 speed I have ever driven, but I've driven newer cars with manual trans with no issues. My buddy replaced the clutch on it and the car drives fine at all speeds except engaging into 1st gear.
The clutch feels like it's barely grabbing at the very end of the pedal stroke( up top next to bump stop) and it's just miserable trying to drive this thing around.

Also when on the highway and giving it some gas to speed up there is faint white smoke coming from the shifter boot without touching clutch pedal at all.

Any help at all will be appreciated and if anyone lives near buckeye arizona and could possibly give it look over / drive that would be great.

 

[tom3]

Need to check out the free play. Should be able to push down on the clutch pedal an inch or so with no resistance, then it makes contact with the clutch and gets stiff. It's actually called clutch free play. Pretty minor adjustment.

 

[ronzz572]

Need to check out the free play. Should be able to push down on the clutch pedal an inch or so with no resistance, then it makes contact with the clutch and gets stiff. It's actually called clutch free play. Pretty minor adjustment.

^+1 I am with Tom , it sounds like your clutch adjustment is not correct. There is a threaded screw with a lock nut under the car on the clutch linkage. The screw is turned out to far. Loosen the lock nut and screw turning it in. I would go in about a 1/2 inch and check the pedal free play. Its the the movement the clutch pedal moves till it gets harder to push.

 

[AZsplit]

Measuring from the top of pedal stroke to pressure at the pedal is about 1.5" free play. I had the rod in the gauge hole till it contacted throw out bearing ,then put the rod in the bottom hole. I will adjust it out a bit and try again.

 

[AZsplit]

Are 4 speeds usually a pain in the butt taking off in 1st?

 

[ronzz572]

Are 4 speeds usually a pain in the butt taking off in 1st?

. No not really, unless you have a lot of steep hills to pull out on. The rod should be adjusted while in the lower hole for a final adjustment. It sounds like your close with it. When you loosen the bolt it will lower the adjustment too start engaging at the floor. Making it longer will move the engagement to the top. Put it where you like it best to pull out in 1st?

 

[AZsplit]

Okay will give it a shot. Thanks!

 

[l16pilot]

Are 4 speeds usually a pain in the butt taking off in 1st?

Really need to understand what you mean by this statement. In other words, what exactly are you experiencing that makes launching in 1st difficult? Also, would certainly help to understand which Muncie you have and your rear gear ratio. Combining the close ratio Muncie (M21/M22) with a tall rear gear, (low numeric number) would definitely work against nice easy low-slippage starts in 1st.

 

[Fbird]

was just about to go there......
If this is a "close ratio" 4 speed .... 1st gear is going to suk. Just how it is when trying to move a 3500 lbs car compared to any average 5 speed or 6 speed car.

 

[MagicRatt]

Agreed, but what's with the smoke coming through the boot hole? If that clutch was slipping that bad you would smell it too!! (Been there before) What rear gear you running with that 4 speed? Make sure it's not wet with oil inside the bell. Engine oil or gearbox oil could cause some slipping and smoke issues.

Rich