Clutch won't disengage?

[Rippin]

This is weird. Everytime I try to drive my road runner even with clutch pedal to the floor the car will lurch forward if you turn the key. I've adjusted the clutch rod a full inch an 1/2 in both directions, no difference? I just drove this car a few weeks ago? My GTX is doing it as well, but not as bad.

The road runner clutch is new (Mccleod) as is throw out bearing, etc. The GTX one is old as dirt, but usually does fine...something is odd?

I know weird things happen while cars sit, but what the heck?? Almost as if the clutch disc have swelled or something with all this humidity.

If throw out bearing was caught up, I would think I would have slippage issue, not engagement...I can't move shifter when it is running.

Thoughts?

 

[Cranky]

Been sitting....high humidity....both of those works against you. Once a new clutch wears in a bit, that will usually quit happening so much but you need to quit letting them sit so long between runs.

 

[yellowdartdave]

If it will not release it sounds like your clutch is stuck to the flywheel.


Put it up on stands, block the front wheels and start it up in 3rd gear.
Run it up to about 3k rpm and hold it there and slowly push the brakes.
Sometimes you have to spike the brakes to get it to break free.

I had a friend that had the same problem and we actually push started it in gear , run it up to 50, floored it and spiked the brakes to bust it loose.

 

[Rippin]

Thanks, very interesting, that would explain both cars too. Anyway, I'm wondering if gently nudging a putty knife between clutch & flywheel via the inspection cover might do the trick too. Otherwise, I really need to get the back wheel off the ground and start it, then try to break it loose? Blocking front tires seems futile as it either won't start, too much drain on battery or will push the blocks. It was pushing Jack stands today.


BTW Cranky, totally agree with the need to drive them more, unfortunately, "life/work" does not cooperate much...nor weather here in OH...something you have the jump on in TX.

 

[Cranky]

How long are you letting it sit? I live in a very humid area too (9 miles east of Galveston Bay) and my stick cars would stick after letting them sit for about 2 weeks but was usually able to unstick it when starting it up in 1st gear with the clutch pedal about half way down and about half throttle. If I knew I wasn't going to be driving them, I'd at least go out and hit the key without letting it fire up just to make sure the clutch wouldn't stick. One time I got into a brand new Neon that some moron parked on the line and pulled the emergency brake when they parked it. I released the lever and dragged the rear wheels. Backed it up and they released. Something you could do is to get an adjustable rod and depress the clutch pedal just enough to lightly disengage the disc. Place the anchor end of the rod at the seat track.

 

[Rippin]

Got it freed up today!! I jacked the rear wheels off the ground, placed stands underneath, started it up then did the whole "toe/heel" deal across the gas & brake while other foot held in clutch...she popped loose. Took her for a nice spin, all seems well. Just will make sure she does not sit as much.

BTW cranky, thought about your suggestion about a prop to hold clutch disengage when it sits but I'm concerned that may inadvertently promote warping of the clutch disc if I really do still have too much humidity in the garage...not sure, but my gut...

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

it happened to me also. high humidity and sitting makes it rust up.