Depression

oldbugger

oldbugger

Well-known member
Last winter when I stored the 35 I did not depress the clutch and in the spring when I first started it The clutch was stuck to the flywheel. So now I am thinking about putting something to hold the pedal down, like some on here suggest. Are there any problems with the pressure on the throw out bearing or the pressure plate for 3 months. Thanks, Paul
 
I think it was Rotorwrench that gave me this easy tip...

Support the rear end...fire it up in 3 gear bring it up a bit of speed, depress cltch and brake firmly at the same time.

Worked for me...my engine and ****** had been stored together for 15+ years...although I've no idea when it became stuck, she freed up on the 2nd try.

Edit:

Sorry, I'd misunderstood and thought your clutch was currently stuck.
 
Last edited:
The problem is moisture. If you don't have a drier place to store the car maybe running a dehumidifier in the garage might help. Otherwise, the procedure Mike B describes will break it loose and hopefully won't tear the lining up. I wouldn't leave the clutch depressed for that long personally.
 
Hmmm? I wonder if a light lube like WD-40 liberally sprayed between clutch and flywheel faces might inhibit sticking or help loosen a stuck clutch up? Might get some slippage till things get warmed up and the light lube burns off. Surprised these things get stuck like that considering the amount of motor oil droplets and vapor that get by the rear seal in most old flatheads. 8^)

Jack E/NJ
 
oldbugger, how is this car stored? In its own unheated garage or your shop/garage that you heat then cooled down overnight through the winter? Cold cast iron sweats (condenses) ambient humidity when heated too quickly with shop heaters. Long slow natural daily temperature swings keep iron happy. Like the old saying "keep it high and dry". I have a pickup that spent 33yrs outside in the weather and the clutch is still smooth as glass.

Lonnie
 
The coupe sits in the back of my shop, gets very little heat all winter, and is dry cement floor. I guess I am asking if it will weaken the pressure plate by being depressed for 3 months
 
Brendan, Thanks for the offer, but, a lot of baggage will come with the coupe, my wife and I included. Paul
 
Short answer, yes, so only disengage it minimally. It will weaken the pressure plate at low RPM. How much? I don't know. Will you notice it? Probably not unless you try to run some punk in a Camaro stoplight-to-stoplight. You may want to think about isolating your shop from this car's storage area with a thermal curtain. I can't emphasis this enough. Cold iron should be warmed by the day's temperatures -- not yours.

Lonnie
 
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