I'm just about finished restoring my 67 4 spd car. The cars been done for 3 months except one little thing. With the car on jack stands, when I start it up the drive train starts turning regardless of what gear it's in. A friend and I even took all of the levers loose and located neutral and when I start it up the damn wheels still turn like the clutch is not disengaging. I've talked to at least four "Old Hot Rod" guys who tell me "It's something simple" and "I can fix it" but I can't seem to get anyone to come and check it out. I got so frustrated that I went out and bought a turbo 400 but still don't want to go that route as the car is a big block 4 spd car and I think I'll have more fun with it this way (I've had a punch of of street cars and a 10 second race car but this is my first 4 spd car). Not sure where to go from here (roll it down a hill, set it on fire or just sit it in the front yard and let the old lady plant flowers around it).........HELP!

wrong spline or pilot bushing/bearing? wow. can you get under it and 'feel' the clutch disengage? or at least try to disengage?

With the wheels in the air and engine off, can you turn the driveshaft? If so, neutral is OK. If not, then the issue is with the trans, not the clutch.

If neutral is OK, with rear wheels on the ground, trans in neutral, spark plugs out of engine (to prevent engine from starting), clutch pedal to the floor, crank the engine. Sometimes the clutch disc is sticks and you need the weight of the car to free it. If car lurches forward when you crank and clutch does not free, then it is time to take it apart and see what is the matter. Luck!

If the levers are in neutral, but the trans is still in gear, you have something bent or broken inside the trans, likely a shift fork. Not a big deal to fix on a Muncie from what I've heard.

if you got car on jackstands? step on brakes does it stall engine. if tranny in neutral it wont stall engine. if something wrong it will. from clutch engaged and tranny in neutral a natural rotation of driveshaft will accure.

if you got car on jackstands? step on brakes does it stall engine. if tranny in neutral it wont stall engine. if something wrong it will. from clutch engaged and tranny in neutral a natural rotation of driveshaft will accure.
If you can stop the tires with the brakes you don't have a problem.

tranny in neutral a natural rotation of driveshaft will accure.A true statement. The output shaft is supported to the input shaft via roller bearings.

Input shaft rotates, output shaft rotates, providing neutral is selected. Step on brake, rotation will stop and engine keeps rolling!

go to muncie trans on the internet, and call them a rebuilt trans wont cost alot dont try to piece it together

Nothing wrong with it. It's the gear oil . All manuals do it, at least all the ones I've started on stands.

I remember the old man laughing at us when we went and told him we couldn't figure out what was wrong with his truck....

I had the same thing happen when I first got my car five years ago. Both experts I asked said it was normal. I guess those that don't believe it can try it.

Mine does the same thing don't worry about its normal. Its just inertia that builds up since the wheels are of the ground, it can spin. when its on the ground There is too much friction to overcome. If you can stop it with the brakes your all set.

Just for the heck of it, I jacked up my 68 Camaro with muncie 4 speed to see if the rear wheels turn in neutral when the engine is started. They do and I am having no trouble with my driveline at all. Must be normal.

My 67 4 speed does this too. Expert told me it was normal. You can put your hand on the tire and stop it( not reccomended) but i did.

Thanks alot guys for the feed back, gonna go home tonight and try your suggestions.......and tell the wife to take the flowers back........lol.....I've also been told that the clutch disc could be in backwards anybody ever heard of that?

You don't have a problem. Just drop the car on the ground and drive it.

Your wheels WILL turn when the car is lifted, running and in neutral.

Enjoy your car,

Rich

Yes that is normal. Take a manual transmission that is not installed in a car and the output shaft will spin when the input shaft is spun even in neutral. You can stop the output shaft with your hand but you can feel that it "wants" to turn due to slight friction of the 4th gear synchronizer.