This might be a stupid question but I just want to be sure before I put this whole set-up back into my car. It's a 400 sbc mated to a T5. The clutch is one of the Zoom units, I can't remember which one because I bought it almost 3 years ago. The flywheel is a 153t one, I have the weight bolted up behind it to compensate for running a flywheel for an internally balanced engine on an externally balanced one. Anyway, onto my question.

So I just bolted the transmission up tonight, getting ready to plop it all in the car the next day we get above 40*. When I turn the crank over and put the transmission in gear, obviously the tailshaft turns as well. However, when I put the transmission in neutral and turn the engine over, the tailshaft of the transmission still turns. Is this expected since I don't have the clutch linkage or anything hooked up yet or did I do something wrong?

Hopefully that was clear, otherwise I can try to explain myself better.

-Thanks, Brandon

 

The flywheel turns regardless of in gear or neutral.

Are you talking about the transmission input shaft?

 

Yes, I was simply typing fast and put tailshaft of the engine instead of tailshaft of the transmission. Edited the first post now so hopefully it's clearer what I'm talking about

 

I never thought about it!!!

I would ** think ** yes it would turn because it's directly attached to the flywheel, and the tailshaft turns when a gear is selected.

Well I will learn something too!!

( edit )

I re-read your 1st post after your edit.

The tailshaft ( where the drive shaft attaches ) should ONLY turn when in gear!

The transmission inputshaft ( the 1 connected to the motor ) is the 1 I was thinking you were talking about before your edit.
Sorry if I confused you & anyone else!

 

That was my understanding as well. Anyone want to take a crack at what I did wrong then so I know what to look for when I pull it apart?

 

Dont quote me on this, but I think the tailshaft does turn if there is no driveshaft when in neutral because of centrifical force.
Now if you do put the shaft in and bolt it up to the rear, then fire the car and it lerks forward while cranking, then the clutch is not disengaging, only if in gear(will go backwards when cranking when in reverse and the clutch is not disengaging).

 

with the tranny in nuetral try having some one hold the output shaft on the tranny while you turn over engine by hand.if it takes a lot to hold the output shaft from turning than you have a problem,if it dont take much at all i wouldnt worry about.just an idea to try out but im no expert.when i had my tranny out if i spun the input shaft by hand in nuetral the output shaft would turn just from the centrifical force

 

To answer your question, yes the output shaft will turn even with the gears not engaged. If you cant stop it with your hands (I normally just stik the drive shaft or the yoke on it and hold it) then as stated above, you might need to check all of your connection points over again.

 

A manual in neutral still has internal drag which spins a barely loaded output while the engine is running. If it's a fresh rebuilt trans, have a helper hold the output while turning the crank. If they can. Stop it withe a spare yoke while you turn the crank, you're probably okay.