Clutch not engaging

mstover

mstover

Member
OK, I need some help again. My '30 Coupe had been bucking and backfiring when I received moved our home. I limped to the new residence and put the couple in the garage where it has set for a couple of months. I retimed the engine and it now runs great! My problem now is that I can't get the clutch to engage at all. I've retried reverse and first with no luck. Both gears are spinning so fast that I can't get the car in gear. Thoughts??
 
Perhaps the clutch is stuck by rust, get the car to an open area, start it and warm it up enough that it starts easy, hold the clutch down and put it in gear and start it ---continue holding the clutch down and go on--off the gas ---most times this will break loose a stuck clutch
 
Another way could be to put it in gear, hold the clutch to the floor and rock the care until it breaks loose, it should after several tries.
Yet another is to put the rear on stands, start the car in gear, hold in the clutch and stab the brakes. May take a couple tries.
Another is also to look at the lever to make sure it hasn't cracked.
 
I've tried rocking the car with it in gear and my wife holding in the clutch, but no luck? Do you think taking the spark plugs out would make the pushing easier without the compression of the engine turning? Any other suggestions?
 
The does pedal feel/act as it did before. Same/correct amount of free-play ? Same amount of effort to push pedal ?
I think its time to crawl under it and watch the lever/linkage. If nothing is wrong there, like Mitch said, remove the cover take a look inside the bellhousing.
The disk may stick after a couple months, but, shouldn't freeze.
 
Everything under the car seems to be operating just fine. Removed the inspection plate and things seem fine there too. I'm not sure what I'm looking at but the clutchplate (?) appears to be moving when the clutch pedal is depressed. Not sure what else to try!
 
if you put it in gear, push the clutch pedal to the floor and try cranking it does the car try and move. be carefull when performing this test ebrake and chock wheels.
 
another question how many fingers does the pressure plate have? these are what the throw out bearing push against. 3 or 6
recently i just did a repair on a 3 finger v-8 clutch that the pivot pin fell out. when pushing in your clutch observe the fingers they should all move the same distance. you may have to tap the engine around to see them all...
 

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When I put the car in gear, pushed the clutch pedal down, and started the car, it immediately jumped forward. Even though the pedal is pushed and things appear to be moving OK, it's as if there were no clutch at all. I'll take another look at the pressure plate through the inspection plate when I get back home this evening. I appreciate the help!!
 
Mike,

That is what you want it to do. After the engine starts and you are rolling, hold the clutch pedal in and burp the gas pedal a few times and see if the clutch plate will break free from the flywheel. Most of the times, it will break free after a few times of doing this.

Rodney
 
REdington said:
Mike,

That is what you want it to do. After the engine starts and you are rolling, hold the clutch pedal in and burp the gas pedal a few times and see if the clutch plate will break free from the flywheel. Most of the times, it will break free after a few times of doing this.

Rodney
Click to expand...


I've done it about the same way, also push the clutch pedal down and hit the brakes
as your driving.

Bob
 
I would think the pilot bearing in the flywheel is binding, and will not let the input shaft stop turning at flywheel speed. the earlier suggestions to break the locking bearing loose sound good, but the damaged bearing will always be there to lock up again
 
REdington said:
Mike,

That is what you want it to do. After the engine starts and you are rolling, hold the clutch pedal in and burp the gas pedal a few times and see if the clutch plate will break free from the flywheel. Most of the times, it will break free after a few times of doing this.

Rodney
Click to expand...

How do I get the car to stop if the clutch plate doesn't break free?
Mike
 
Depending on how badly stuck it is, it can take a lot to break it free.
If you look through the inspection hole, and push down on the pedal, you will likely see the clutch plate expand in thickness. Further travel will possibly show it going with the pressure plate or staying with the flywheel. If you cannot get a thin knife or the like in there to pry it free (turning it a bit at a time) you are left with only 2 options.
1. strip it out. don't do this yet.
2. Do what was suggested by someone previously.
Get her in a paddock with plenty of room. Get her started in gear. and drive her around with the clutch pedal in. You might have to be pretty harsh on her, or she might break free quite easily. Just keep in mind all the time that she will not stop unless you turn off the engine.
The problem occurs because she was parked up with damp clutch linings, and has rusted. A bit of careful slippage will help to clean her up, and get rid of any moisture, so it doesn't happen again. (once she has broken free)
 
If your clutch was working before you stored it it is almost certainly as fordbarners have said - a sticking clutch from rust etc . If you're unhappy about driving on a the road without a clutch as people have suggested try putting it up on axle stands, starting it in gear, revving it up then slamming on brakes, emergency brake and clutch pedal concurrently a few times. ( Make sure those axle stands are real good and steady, so you don't go ballistic into the garage wall!!!!) Once it frees off you'll wonder what the problem was.
 
Mike
As other suggested...Roll it out to the street and put it in 3rd gear. Key off or pull coil wire. Push the clutch in and have your wife pull it with another car using a long rope. The motor will turn over as you roll until the clutch breaks loose. Work out some hand signals before doing this or each have cell phones. It's a lot easier than you think. Done it many times with different cars.
 
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