I finally got the time (or took the time) to put my car back together after replacing the head gasket. The car sat in my garage for about 8-10 months in various states of idle disrepair.
I got the car completed and fired up this afternoon. When I was actually ready to take the car out for a quick test drive, I discovered that I could not engage any gears! It was as if the clutch had no affect at all, although it engaged smoothly and returned full. I checked the fluid and all looked good and no leaks were detected.
When one of my boys got home from school, I had him exercise the clutch while I looked at the slave cylinder. The cylinder appeared to move freely and again, no leaks were noted.
I tried to bump start the car and, of course, it started and I could drive the car but could not change gears. I drove around the block, popped the tranny into neutral and coasted back in the driveway.
I called my oldest son, 25 years old and although he wasn't sure why the friction plate would stay engaged, he suggested trying to shock the driveline by rocking the car in 1st gear with the clutch pedal pressed in. I recruited a few more of my son's friends and had them rock the car back and forth, but to no avail.
I decided to give it one more try, but with the tranny in 5th gear. We rocked the car and heard a 'Pop!". The clutch freed up and I was good to go. I drove the car around for a bit and the tranny and clutch worked like nothing had happened!
So, what did happen?
My car is an 84 with 71K original miles. The motor/tranny have never been separated as the car sports its original clutch. Could a leaking rear main seal coupled with sitting for an extended period of time cause the clutch disc to stick?
I'm good to go but am curious as to the root cause of the issue.
I got the car completed and fired up this afternoon. When I was actually ready to take the car out for a quick test drive, I discovered that I could not engage any gears! It was as if the clutch had no affect at all, although it engaged smoothly and returned full. I checked the fluid and all looked good and no leaks were detected.
When one of my boys got home from school, I had him exercise the clutch while I looked at the slave cylinder. The cylinder appeared to move freely and again, no leaks were noted.
I tried to bump start the car and, of course, it started and I could drive the car but could not change gears. I drove around the block, popped the tranny into neutral and coasted back in the driveway.
I called my oldest son, 25 years old and although he wasn't sure why the friction plate would stay engaged, he suggested trying to shock the driveline by rocking the car in 1st gear with the clutch pedal pressed in. I recruited a few more of my son's friends and had them rock the car back and forth, but to no avail.
I decided to give it one more try, but with the tranny in 5th gear. We rocked the car and heard a 'Pop!". The clutch freed up and I was good to go. I drove the car around for a bit and the tranny and clutch worked like nothing had happened!
So, what did happen?
My car is an 84 with 71K original miles. The motor/tranny have never been separated as the car sports its original clutch. Could a leaking rear main seal coupled with sitting for an extended period of time cause the clutch disc to stick?
I'm good to go but am curious as to the root cause of the issue.