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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1934 Chevrolet Master Sedan

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Expert: - 8/4/2011


Question
I am in the final stages of restoring a 1934 Chevrolet Master Sedan in South Africa. I have not done any work on the gear box or clutch. While the car drives well the gear box is very noisy in first and second gears but is relatively quiet in third gear. Is this normal? If not what would be the solution. The clutch shudders. The engine mountings seem fine. Could this be as a result of the car having not been driven for about 35 years and the clutch is seating itself and will come right with use?

Answer
As my old memory serves me right these early Chevy's always had a growl in first and second gear. But the difference is between a growl and a grinding noise. As far as the clutch chattering goes, it is a toss up between warpage in the clutch  plate or pressure plate and possibly rust on the fly wheel surface or pressure plate surface. It is possible that the take up springs in the clutch plate has lost their tension. Drive it a bit and see what happens before you tear it apart.  

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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