so, my 66 E-type sat for 2 months. After start-up, i depressed the clutch and it wouldn't go into gear. It appeared the clutch was not disengaging.

I first bled the system with no luck.
I then replaced the slave, master and flexible line in the hydraulic system. No luck.

i was able to do a partial visual inspection -- the pressure plate is moving [disengaging] (I cannot see the disc).

I'm left thinking the disc is stuck to the flywheel or the input shat (had this happen on a Volvo 1800) I ran the car on jack stands in an attempt to release the disc. so far no luck.
Anyone ever run into this before?
--thanks in advance for any insight.

Submitted by npuccia@aol.com on Wed, 09/15/2010 - 16:28

I'm Free!
Though I had done this once before (run the car up through the gears on jack-stands), I guess second time's a charm
thanks all!

Submitted by edjagm@comcast.net on Wed, 09/15/2010 - 11:02

Nick. Go to healeysurgeons.com web site there is a tech article thats states "How to free a stuck clutch" . I had the same problem on my healey and it worked.

Ed Messikian

Submitted by npuccia@aol.com on Wed, 09/15/2010 - 10:14

Thanks to you all. BUT, still stuck.
i have run the engine to max temp, done the in-gear lurch several times -- in every gear; re-bled the hydraulics; even started and run the car up/down the driveway; run up the engine and pumped the clutch repeatedly; run the car on jack stands with the clutch depressed for several minutes at a time.

Since this problem developed while the car sat idle, I am hesitant to think it is a mechanical failure.
I'm stumped. anybody got other ideas?

Submitted by alan.barc@veri… on Sun, 09/05/2010 - 12:01

Happened to my SII last year when the car had been sitting for three or four months waiting on parts. I was able to put the gear shift in gear with the engine off and then rocked the car back and forth by hand. After a few rocks everthing freed up.

Submitted by dlkorock@comcast.net on Sun, 09/05/2010 - 11:33

Before starting the car I would put the car into first gear then with the parking brake set and foot on the brake press down on the clutch then try to start the engine. If the clutch was stuck, and I would think this to be a very rare occasion, this should free it. I would expect a momentary jerk of the car then it would be free. If the car tryÔÇÖs to move then you have clutch system problems. If the car starts with no problem and it does not seem the clutch is dragging then run it through the gears to make sure all is well with the transmission. I would although check the fluid level in the transmission if in fact the clutch seems ok as there is some reason you could not get it into gear.

Submitted by dlkorock@comcast.net on Sun, 09/05/2010 - 11:21

Before starting the car I would put the car into first gear then with the parking brake set and foot on the brake press down on the clutch then try to start the engine. If the clutch was stuck, and I would think this to be a very rare occasion, this should free it. I would expect a momentary jerk of the car then it would be free. If the car tryÔÇÖs to move then you have clutch system problems. If the car starts with no problem and it does not seem the clutch is dragging then run it through the gears to make sure all is well with the transmission. I would although check the fluid level in the transmission if in fact the clutch seems ok as there is some reason you could not get it into gear.

Submitted by woebegone@mind… on Sat, 09/04/2010 - 22:44

Fairly common, depending on marque.
My process to unstick, and has, if I recall, always worked, is get the car in a safe enough place so you won't run into anything if you foot slips off the brakes.

Start it up (obviously in neutral), and let it warm up so the flywheel is warm, fluids are flowing, etc.

Shut it off.

Disable the ignition.
If it was me, I'd just pull the power in wire off the distributor.
Set the handbrake full on.
Place vehicle in 4th gear.

Depress clutch fully, hold it there, step on the footbrake HARD, hit the start button.

The high gear will lessen the "lurch" lower gears will give you, and it should go "pop" and be free.

Re-connect ignition, try driving it, be preared for a little "grab" to the clutch for a mile or so as any rust on the faces dissapears, and you should be fine.

Used to do it on Volvos, too.
Dave

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sat, 09/04/2010 - 22:41

Are you sure it was just 2 months? This happens usually when the car has sat idle for a very long time. We used to pour some petrol into the bell housing and it would release, A less messy way might be to use a heat gun ( or a strong hair dryer) or, maybe just run the engine until it gets good and hot!