Stuck Clutch

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MarcTozer
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Stuck Clutch

#1 Post by MarcTozer »

Hello,
Hope you are safe and well.
Tried to the car going back in March after it been laid up the garage since last September.
But it appeared the clutch had stuck to the flywheel (I have hydraulic pressure but can't get it in gear with the engine running) so I left it, due the current situation, until I could ask someone to help me.

I've tried everyway I can find but it won't budge - Jacking the car on axle stands, starting in 3rd applying foot brake

Started it 2nd and drove it around and applied foot brake, several times, still stuck.

I don't want to break anything or be more brutal than I have already, before I get the clutch changed :( :( has anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,
Mark.
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tinweevil
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Re: Stuck Clutch

#2 Post by tinweevil »

Keep trying, driving it heel & toe with the clutch held down will get it eventually. You need to get it thoroughly thoroughly hot first, not just up to temperature, you want the gearbox hot too.
1978 Pageant Sprint - the rustomite, 1972 Spitfire IV - sprintfire project, 1968 Valencia GT6 II - little Blue, 1980 Vermillion 1500HL - resting. 1974 Sienna 1500TC, Mrs Weevils big brown.
dollyman
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Re: Stuck Clutch

#3 Post by dollyman »

Did you have your foot on the clutch at the same time you applied the brakes when driving it Mark? Also as tinweevil say's, get it nice and hot.

Tony.
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matt of the vivas
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Re: Stuck Clutch

#4 Post by matt of the vivas »

Run the engine for an hour, you want the engine heat to get right through the flywheel. Then wedge the clutch pedal down overnight with a piece of wood. It will be free in the morning, never failed me yet...
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tinweevil
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Re: Stuck Clutch

#5 Post by tinweevil »

Yeah my post above was a bit misleading. It's not actually the gearbox that needs to be hot, it's clutch & flywheel. Gearbox is just a sign you've got there.
1978 Pageant Sprint - the rustomite, 1972 Spitfire IV - sprintfire project, 1968 Valencia GT6 II - little Blue, 1980 Vermillion 1500HL - resting. 1974 Sienna 1500TC, Mrs Weevils big brown.
MarcTozer
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Re: Stuck Clutch

#6 Post by MarcTozer »

Hi Guys, yes my foot was hard down on the clutch all the time.
I changed the master and slave cylinder a couple of years ago - couldn't get a Sprint master anywhere at the time. So mine is a competition master I got from Merlin Motor Sport with a modified banjo/braded hose to the slave to accommodate a different thread size from the master output.
Its gonna be hard to wedge that down, its needs a lot of pressure to apply as it is.
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xvivalve
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Re: Stuck Clutch

#7 Post by xvivalve »

Reconditioned Sprint master cylinders with stainless steel sleeves have been available for about 10 years now through the Club....stock of them is kept in Stourbridge; looks as if you may have looked too far afield at the time!!!
MarcTozer
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Re: Stuck Clutch

#8 Post by MarcTozer »

I tried everywhere, guess I should have contacted someone at the club, at the time the spares page in the magazine said they were out of stock.
Need the old one to re-condition?
I still have it.
I also have brand new boxed one I got from the auto-jumble at Bewley show about 4 weeks after I fixed it!!
I was not well at the time, so any port in storm!
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xvivalve
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Re: Stuck Clutch

#9 Post by xvivalve »

Core stock for reconditioning is always welcome...

When the pubs are open again, you should bring your car along to the Wagon & Horses at Ismere, between Stourbridge & Kidderminster. Last Sundays of the month from 12...
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geeksteve
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Re: Stuck Clutch

#10 Post by geeksteve »

xvivalve wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:07 pm Core stock for reconditioning is always welcome...

When the pubs are open again, you should bring your car along to the Wagon & Horses at Ismere, between Stourbridge & Kidderminster. Last Sundays of the month from 12...
Might take him a while stuck in 2nd gear :lol:
MarcTozer
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Re: Stuck Clutch

#11 Post by MarcTozer »

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the help - clutch finally came free today so I'm back mobile.
Its was a little nervy running the car for a hour checking the temperature gauge every 5 minutes - my Sprint (apart from a re-spray by the previous owner in the 80's) has no mods and has not been restored, so I was more than a little worried about it over heating.
Anyway, she's all cleaned up, fuelled up and ready for some late summer fun.

Thanks again for yor advice.

Regards,
Mark
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