My mate has an xe fairmont, 351 clevo, single rail 4 speed with hydraulic clutch.
we can't seem to get gears. the clutch is bled up and pedal feels fine.
it has a new thrust bearing, clutch plate is in the right way around, pressure plate looks good, and the rod on the cluch cylnder that pushes the clutch fork is working sweet.
we start the car put the foot on the clutch and it won't go into any gear and crunches if we try to put it in reverse.
if we put it in gear first then start the car and release the clutch it makes a noise like someone sanding on a belt sander but the car moves.
now heres the weired one, we had the front of the car jacked up as high as it would go and bingo clutch works gets all gears, still crunchy in reverse but it goes in. as soon as we put the car down its rooted again.
were stumped, any sugestions or ideas would be great.

you sure you don't have the clutch plate in backwards? also check the pressure plate is done up tight.

Last edited by brenx on Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

hi i guess you have re bled the system to check for air. if you hold the clutch fork towards the back of the bell housing and push the slave rod back into the slave is there any freeplay? i have done a few manual conversions and have found the rod too short. i made up new rods from a long 5/16 or 8mm bolt.

cheers guys, i double checked everything, still no luck, then i got a hold of the previous owner, he tells me that the clutch and box are out of a 6 cyl, bloody wanker. so us not realizing this got the thrust bearing for the 351 manual and not the 4.1. it fitted in but was not pushing on the pressure plate right. so now we have to find either a 6 cyl thrust bearing and carrier which i have been told they don't make any more as they only make floating bearings which involves changing the fork setup or finding a v8 clutch and gear box. any one know of anyone that has a rooted falcon with a v8 and 4 speed, dont care if motor is shagged or body is written off just need box and clutch

im sure the box can fit either 6cyl or v8, only the clutch fork and actual clutch are different.i think the thrust bearings are same too. could always ring a clutch place and ask,all clutch and brake at st marys are helpfull. 6 and v8 boxes are both 10spline inputs

i went to the place at st marys, they don;t do a 6 cyl 4 speed thrust bearing in a carrier any more, they are all floating bearings now. 6 and 8 are different, i need to find a 6 cyl bearing and carrier in adelaide, i rang like 50 places with no luck. so does this mean everyone with a 6 cyl 4 speed has to change the whole clutch set up to adapt the floating bearing as they don't make the bearing and cradle as per standard anymore???

At the end of the day it may be easier to get a V8 box and if you do may as well go with a top loader and be done.

single rail - the fork itself is not cracked is it?