I need some help, it's been too long since i messed with these things. I have a 1965 4 speed. It was built in 1986 with a high performance clutch and pressure plate, HiPo engine. When I push the clutch pedal to the floor, it feels normal but it is obviously not engaging the clutch as it grinds the gears. if i try to start the car in gear with the clutch engaged, it lurches, so no clutch. The car sits all the time, driven only 3 or 4 times a year. It has not been driven since about September and was fine when it was parked. Is this a throwout bearing? or has the pressure plate collapsed? What do you think? It has been since I put this one together, 1986, that I messed with a clutch.

 

No one?

 

I would say throwout bearing, but im no transmission expert. I would think if it were the pressure plate, it would think it would not fully engage/disengage. Either way you're going to have to take it apart.

 

Yes, I know. What i want to do is hit it with a hammer and it start working. I have a suspicion it is the throwout bearing as well, but it was not making any noise the last time I drove it. But, everything was fine when I parked it. Something broke.

 

Been thinking about it, I remember that there is a fork that goes in and actuates the clutch. That thing was notorious for bending. First thing I need to do is check all the linkage and that fork.

 

Hmmm - what about the pilot shaft bushing?

 

That is what I have decided it must be. The fork is fine. The clutch pedal feels perfectly normal, it just does nothing when you push it in. I think the pilot bushing has welded to the shaft. Why or how, i have no idea. It was funtioning fine when I pulled it into the garage Months before. I may have fun trying to pull the transmission out of it.

 

Did you slap a blob of high temperature grease in the hole when you did the clutch job 20 years ago?