Had a idiot attack last nite

[AARCUDADEN]

I've been working on my Dart Sport since last weekend getting it ready to put in the new clutch back in. Had everything else done and ready to the point to slide the trans back up to the bellhousing and thats where it all went bad. Mentally Challenged (Chris) and i fought this dam thing from the begining and just couldn't get it to slide the rest of the way in lacking about that last inch. So idiot me figures it just seems like its just lacking starting in the pilot bushing or maybe just a little on a bind and got a cresant wrench latched on to the clutch fork to releive the tention and i broke the end off the clutch fork    I know some really good welders but not sure if they can weld cast or weather i would ever trust it anyways due to its broke and thats a crutial area there. So i need to find another one or make a call to Brewers and get buy a reconditioned one. Okay guys let me have it and tell me what an idiot i am  So if anybody out there in mopar land has a spare clutch fork for a small block holla 

[the_engineers]

Don't you have to depress the clutch to get the last inch?

[71chmark]

Don't you have to depress the clutch to get the last inch?

nope

[72rtchallenger]

nope

but seeing as you had it that close seems like it wasnt in the splines right,,
you did use a spline tool to center the clutch i assume ?also you have to have the engine an tranny at the proper level to slide together,,you have to have a jack under both and level it as it slides together,if its spaced more at the top than bottom or vice versa it will not slide together,,this just requires you eye balling it as your installing,,the slightest bit off unlevel will stop it from going together,,just from what your saying it sounds like it was in a bind slideing it together  and buy a new fork,,i might even have one if needed,, but i will have to look

[the Wizard]

I think you have BALLS for sharing your story!

Cause, by you telling this story it will educate the rest of us when the final answer comes.  I know I sure dread this step every time I've had to do it....like 50 times maybe.  And no matter how smart I think I am it is ALWAYS more difficult than it seems it should be?

Anyway, good luck finding the fork......

[Mentally Challenged]

It was definitely pressing. We were both tired, and not really thinking real well. Just couldn't find the happy level spot to get them to slide together. We probably should have waited for a day that wasn't filled with events. Then we would'nt have been as tired, but things happen. It will go together soon.

[Super Blue 72]

I think you have BALLS for sharing your story!

Cause, by you telling this story it will educate the rest of us when the final answer comes.  I know I sure dread this step every time I've had to do it....like 50 times maybe.  And no matter how smart I think I am it is ALWAYS more difficult than it seems it should be?

Anyway, good luck finding the fork......

   Thanks for sharing this with us.  I haven't done a clutch in a mopar but in foreign cars and how things actually coming together sometimes is a mystery, but so long as the car runs... It'll be interesting to see what the issue was.  Experience is learning from your mistakes also from those of others.

May the "fork" be with you....    Sorry, bad joke.... 

[AARCUDADEN]

 Yeap i used the spline tool to center the clutch. We were in the splines on the clutch just don't think we were centered enough to slide in through the pilot bushing. Its my own stupid falt and i'm not affraid to admit my mistakes and we all have done stupid stuff  I got a couple of possibilities of finding another fork no biggie there so next weekend i'll have another go at 

[72rtchallenger]

Yeap i used the spline tool to center the clutch. We were in the splines on the clutch just don't think we were centered enough to slide in through the pilot bushing. Its my own stupid falt and i'm not affraid to admit my mistakes and we all have done stupid stuff  I got a couple of possibilities of finding another fork no biggie there so next weekend i'll have another go at 

u know what sucks is that the next time you put that tranny up to slide it in ,,,it will go right together and the bolts will be started before u can think,,what was i thinking, let us know the progress

[Mentally Challenged]

That is exactly what we were talking about before we took it back out. Dennis said watch, we will go to take it out-and it will slide right together before we get it out. Luckily that didn't happen, would have been a real pi$$er

[Cuda54]

What helps is a pair of ready bolts about 6"long in the bottom holes to act as guide pins. That is what I used to put in trans when I put it in by myself.

[torredcuda]

Isn`t the clutch fork stamped steel?If so it is easily welded as strong or stronger than before.

[AARCUDADEN]

Isn`t the clutch fork stamped steel?If so it is easily welded as strong or stronger than before.

Not this one it looks like cast 

[jimynick]

It's a little thing, but a wee bit of Lubriplate on the splines and input shaft nose is a good thing. Be sparing 'cause you don't want it throwing off onto your nice, new clutch disc.

[IMNCARN82]

I feel your pain. Sux about the fork. Havn't seen a cast one. I've had my trans. out 5 times in the last 2 months.Every time is different.The first went too good.Perfect.  Then it went downhill. The last time I had to rest.It would not go.Had to pull it back and spin it a bit. Not/No room there with the tko. When you line up the disc,Make sure it's centered around the outside.They like to drop a bit. Does the tool fit tight? had to run some tape around mine to help hold it up. I'm going for #6 this week...     R/T