'56 Clutch rod

[Chuck B.]

I've found what I believe is a correct clutch rod for my '56 project, but am wondering if the spring clips on the fork are to hold the rod in place, or does something go through the fork into the rod. The AIM only shows the later style of clutch fork, so don't know if I'm missing something. Thanks Chuck Banks

[Scott S.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

Chuck, The assembly in your pictures is correct. The clips keep the rod from falling off the fork.
Scott

[Chuck B.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

Thanks Scott. I guess the Gorilla spring will keep a constant pressure where the spherical end of the adjustment rod fits against the fork. Chuck

[Jimmy B.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

your missing the leather boot that covers up the hole where the fork goes into the bellhousing

[Stuart F.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

Is it leather, or is it rubber as on later models like my 63? I had a 56 engine in 1957 as the second engine in my 50 Chevy coupe, but I don't recall a boot there. I was still experimenting with clutch linkages to marry the V8 throw out arm to the 50 peddle linkage. Never did quite solve that problem as I was using a B & B clutch with white springs.

Stu Fox

[Chuck B.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

I have a leather boot, but the fifth edition of the 56-57 judging guide says that the standard shift transmissions didn't use a boot at the bellhousing. It seems like a boot would be a good idea. Chuck

[Gary C.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

Chuck,

No leather boot listed in the 1956 Bill of Materials. No original 3 or 4 speeds 1957 that I've tracked had a leather boot clutch fork cover.

3728567 appears to be the part number for the early design clutch fork retaining rod.

Gary
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[Stuart F.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

FWIW, I looked in the DocRebuild catalog and I see they show a Suede Leather Fork Boot for 56 through 1960. it says it includes a wire retainer to mount in a cast iron bell housing. It then lists a rubber boot for 60 through 1962 models with aluminum bell housings.

They take great pride in marketing accurate reproduction parts, and I have found this to be true for the items I have bought there. Others may have a different opinion, specially if they had trouble communicating with them. I have not.

Stu Fox

[Gary C.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

Stu,

1956 & 1957 Passenger cars did, 1956 & 1957 Corvettes did not.

Gary
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[Stuart F.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

Ironically, I owned several tri-fives with manual transmissions, but never saw any boots on the clutch forks until I bought my 63 Vette. Go figure.

Stu Fox

[Mike E.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

61-62 Corvettes never came with a clutch fork boot from the factory. Multiple vendors have been selling them for several decades. That still hasn't made them correct.

[Steven B.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

Like Gary the original cars I have seen did not have a boot. My original Dec 1956 built '57 I bought in Nov '64 did not have a boot. Steve

[John H.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

No C-1 EVER had a leather clutch fork boot (or any kind of clutch fork boot), but the vendors love to sell that leather one.

[Edward M.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

I disassembled an original early 56 passenger car with a 265, 3 speed trans. It had the leather boot, which was in pretty bad shape. I have never seen a boot of a 56 Corvette.

[David B.]

Re: '56 Clutch rod

your missing the leather boot that covers up the hole where the fork goes into the bellhousing

Sorry, Jimmy my boy! you got caught on this one. No leather or rubber boot on the 56,57 Corvette.

As for the rod, It appears # 3726733 had not yet been assigned yet thru in 56,57. Probably a slight change involved using this # If we are talking the same part. Might be interesting to see why changed.
Again, if we are talking the same part, #3726733 is listed for '56 corv only
5 61/64 O L w 3/8 - 16 thread. Would measure etc. to determine if correct.