Re: [ihc] frozen clutch?

["Allan Ericson" <lowvolt@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Is it the clutch itself, or is it the cable? Are you getting full pedal
depression, but the disc is sticking to the flywheel, or are you unable to
depress the pedal?

I'm guessing that if the disc is sticking to the flywheel, you can use the
hill to your advantage. Start it in second gear if you can, and when you get
part way up the hill, slip the clutch so that it's trying hard to break
free, and the pressure plate is not helping hold the clutch in place. Use
the same technique going down the hill.

Just do it when there's no traffic. The higher the gear going up, the
better. The lower the gear going down, the better.

If you are unable to depress the pedal, it could be the cable is snagged. I
don't have the impression that's what you mean, but I couldn't tell for sure
from your post.

Regards,

Allan
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Wisser" <wisser@domain.elided>
To: <ihc@domain.elided>
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004 2:28 PM
Subject: [ihc] frozen clutch?


> Friends, I am very close to getting my 800a back on the road.  Through
> lack of time (and faulty brakes and leaking gas tanks, and...), it has
> been sitting in my driveway for two years.  I fixed the brakes and the
> fuel problems, and I have been steadily troubleshooting electrical
> gremlins.  Last weekend I started it up with the intention of driving it
> around to test the brakes and such, and I found out the clutch is
> frozen.  I can rev match the tranny into gear, but cannot disengage via
> the clutch.  I talked to some old-timers who counseled me to put the
> rear up on jackstands, put it in gear, start it up, slam on the brakes
> to stall it, then depress the clutch and it should pop free.
> Well....no.  I tried that a bunch of times, even letting it run in hopes
> that the engine heat and vibration would work it loose.  I have heard
> another option is to point it down a stretch of deserted road and drive
> it until it breaks loose.  Since I live in the middle of town at the
> bottom of a steep hill, that option is out.  Ideas?
>
> Bill Wisser
> 1970 800a 304 4spd