I just started work on a 1959 ford F100. It has the original 223 straight 6 and the original 4 speed transmission. I started it up the other day and it runs well. The clutch however will not engage and I was told by the previous owner that it wont stay in gear unless you hold the shifter in position. I am new at rebuilding trucks and have absolutely no experience with transmissions. Any advice?

 

Welcome to FTE! Your '59 will have a hydraulic clutch. I'd start with checking to see if the clutch master cylinder is full of fluid and the system is properly bled.

 

The 223 and 4 speed T98A are a tried and true combination. As said, first check that there is brake fluid in the clutch master cylinder (the closest one to the hood hinge) and that the line from it to the slave cylinder down by the transmission is not leaking. the master and slave cylinders themselves are rebuildable, and replacements are available (I have bought master cylinders at NAPA). The line is similar to those used on the brakes, so if it is leaky, you can find a replacement.

On the popping out of gear, that could be several things. The simplest is if the cap that holds the shifter in place is partially unscrewed. Another issue I have seen is the ball detents on the shift rails being bound up or rusted in place.

Just look at each issue that arises as a new adventure - a chance to learn something about the truck.

Have fun.

 

Oh, another thing on the clutch. If it will not engage (if it is always disengaged) check that the slave cylinder and lever down by the reansmission are free to move and not bound up. If they are free to move but the clutch will still not engage, remove the sheet metal inspection cover that is at the bottom of the bell housing and look up into the clutch to see if something is missing, damaged, or worn out. Could be a worn clutch disc or bad pressure plate assembly.

 

Ok, so I've checked the master cylinder and it is topped off. When i depress the clutch pedal there is good movement of the rod coming out of the slave cylinder. There arent leaks in the lines. I believe it has something to do inside the transmission. At least that is what I can surmise by the working pieces before it.

 

Remove the inspection plate from the bottom and have a look see. Springs in the pressure plate assembly my be broken.

Best pictures I could find. You can see the pressure plate, clutch and flywheel. The second picture is the bell housing with the inspection plate (bottom) removed.

Mine is a 292 not a 223, but the clutch is essentially the same.

Hope this helps.

 

thanks for the pictures! I have posted two pictures of the truck in my garage. More will follow. Thanks to all for the advice. I will definitely go give it a look after i get off work.

 

Looks like a great solid truck!

 

Ok, so after taking a look inside the inspection plate, my flywheel is fairly rusted. Just surface rust but im guessing it needs replacing sometime. its apparent that a new pressure plate cover was installed sometime because it is not rusted. I think the free travel on the clutch pedal isnt adjusted right because there isnt enough movement from the clutch to push the release bearings. I also may need to rebuild the slave cylinder...the joys of classic motoring!

 

If you don't have a shop manual yet, I recommend getting one. I got mine on ebay and they are usually available on CD or the old fashion way.

 

i did! first thing i bought on ebay after i bought the truck. i also got the part manual from ebay as well. it has exploded views of most of the mechanical parts. i use that almost as much as the shop manual. very helpful!

 

I would suggest not rebuilding but rather just getting a new slave. A lot of time they are pitted on the inside of the cylinder and you will end up having to rebuild this over and over until you finally replace it because the new rubber cant make a seal. Good luck, if you need any help just ask, I just did this myself.